EVIDENCE
taken by the Commission appointed to investigate into the working of the Treasury Department.
FIRST MEETING,
February 28th, 1893.
Present: Mr. E. J. ACKROYD, Chairman.
Mr. J. THURBURN.
Mr. S. G. BIRD.
Mr. F. J. BADELEY, Secretary.
The Secretary read the following letter from the Colonial Secretary:—
No. 273.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 20th February, 1893.
SIR,
I am directed to acquaint you that the Governor has been pleased to appoint you to be Chairman of a Commission to enquire into and report on the defalcations in the Treasury. The other members of the Commission are Messrs. J. THURBURN and S. G. BIRD, with whom you will be so good as to arrange for an early meeting with a view to the prompt prosecution of the investigation. The Treasurer has been instructed to afford every facility and information in his power that the Commission may require for the purposes of their enquiry.
2. The scope of the Commission is to ascertain and report,-
(a) The amount of the defalcations,
(b) By what person or persons they have been committed,
(e) What other person or persons, if any, may by neglect of duty, or otherwise,
have directly or indirectly contributed thereto, and
(d) The causes that rendered the defalcations possible, and those that prevented their earlier detection; also to advise what step sshould, in the opinion of the Commission, be taken in order, as far as possible, to prevent the recurrence of defalcations, and to ensure their prompt detection if committed.
3. His Excellency desires me to impress upon you that it is very desirable that the enquiry should be completed and the report of the Commission rendered with the utmost despatch compatible with thoroughness of investigation.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
His Honour E. J. ACKROYD,
&c.,
&c.
&c.,
G. T. M. O'BRIEN,
Colonial Secretary.