as their clerk. They met on the second Tuesday of each month to deal
with the cases in front of them. Most of the time they were limited to
debts of £8 or less but in March, June, September and December they
could deal with cases involving larger sums.

Anyone with an outstanding small debt could apply to a Commis-
sioner for assistance. The Commissioner would then summon the
debtor to give his side of the story, and then pass judgement. If he
found for the plaintiff, the Commissioner had the power to award
Execution against the Goods and Chattels of the party, or against
the body of the person if there were no goods or chattels. The order
would be turned over to the Provost Marshal of the province who
would then take action. If he could not recover property to cover the
debt, then he could arrest the individual who was to serve a term of
not more than three months in jail in the summer, and not more than
four months in the winter. After that time the debt would be deemed
to be paid and the prisoner released.

The Commissioners did not receive any compensation from the
government for their work. Their pay was in the form of fee for ser-
vice. Boyde Beck looked into how the system worked. Creditors
who turned to the Commissioners for assistance paid them a fee for
their assistance. There must have been enough work to make the job
worthwhile. It meant a long-term commitment to a job where you
had to pass judgement on your neighbours - not a very pleasant duty.

In 1873 the Courts of Commissioners for the Recovery of Small
Debts were abolished with the establishment of County Courts which
assumed responsibility for hearing cases involving small debt. We
don't know when Vere retired as a Commissioner but it was probably
before this change as he was 90 at that time.

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