185 (29)
to LUI CHI "to induce him to retire from the field and not tender again". The Lo Man Kai's MAN HING firm were always able to retain the small stores contract because statement. LO MAN KAI, knowing the lowest tender, was in a position tell Au Sur Shang to what extent (if any) his tender should be reduced.
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Page 1318.
263. The fact that the MAN HING, a shop with virtually nothing but a signboard as their stock-in-trade, that is to say middle men pure and simple, being able to undersell the very persons from whom they bought the goods should have awakened suspicion, and points to jobbery in the way of short deliveries. The Mr. Wood- Secretary did in fact get as far as "wondering how they could supply the goods cockence. at the prices". The same clerk (Lo MAN KAI) was also a partner with SAM Iu who Page 290. held the scavenging and conservancy contract at Yaumati, (SAM Iu being formerly a scavenging coolie) but subsequently sold his share of the business to Page 287. his partner the said SAM IU. Soon after the Commission. commenced sitting, LO MAN KAI absconded.
Page 291.
cock's
264. It frequently happens that Iuspectors recommend the quantity of stores Page 148, to be ordered as well as the source of supply, and their requisitions initialled by the Mr. Wood- Medical Officer of Health are signed by the Secretary or chopped with his chop. evidence. Having got their requisitions signed or chopped, the Inspectors frequently obtain Page 155. delivery direct from contractors. The Secretary's chop is left lying about the office Pages 1740/1. during office hours. Here again the possibility of abuse is obvious. Although there is no evidence to shew that such has been the case, under the existing system there is nothing to prevent an Inspector only taking delivery of part of the goods speci- fied in such requisitions and receiving a monetary consideration from the supplier Pages 153, for the undelivered portion. There is no check of any kind other than a possible casual enquiry by the Medical Officer of Health or the Secretary.
185, 187.
Page 65.
265. The Acting Principal Civil Medical Officer claimed to supervise all Dr. Clark's payments, but said they did not pass through his hands. He would know the evidence. money voted by the Legislative Council had been spent, but woukl not know how it had been spent.
evidence.
266. The Principal Civil Medical Officer also claimed to supervise all payments Dr.Atkinson's but admitted in the earlier part of his examination that proper books were not kept. Page 2046. He had had "to complain of them over and over again". Subsequently he qualified this statement. Under all the foregoing circumstances, it is not difficult to conceive that corruption would be rife, as it was rife in the very heart as it were of the Department.
267. The Principal Civil Medical Officer claims to be the administrative head of the Sanitary Department but there is nothing in the evidence before the Com- mission to shew in what way this has been effective. Under the Public Health and Buildings Qrdinance No. 23 of 1903, his powers have been made almost despotic while the functions of the Board itself have been whittled down to those of an Advisory Committee. He therefore cannot lay any of the blame for the existing state of affairs on the shoulders of the Board.
268. To quote from the Landowners' Petition to His Excellency the Governor, dated 26th September, 1902, “With an ideal man (whose successors at least could not be assured) a despotic system may be the most convenient as it is otherwise -certainly the worst."
269. The Assistant Secretary should be a man with some commercial training, preferably a book-keeper, and should be of British race.
270. Finally, we recommend that proper books, that is, a cash book, journal and ledger be kept. Also as an auxiliary book one containing complete records of all contracts for materials supplied to or sold by the Sanitary. Department and all monies and goods disbursed or received thereunder.
271. The store keepers should furnish the Secretary with a weekly return of all goods received by them as well as those delivered by them to the different Inspectors in the Health Districts which they supply. A summary of these returns should be passed through the journal and ledger at least monthly so that the Secretary may be in a position to know, at any time, what quantities of the various kinds of stores are or should be in hand.