195 (80) -
152,3
155
185
186/7
Mr. Lau Chu Pak.-You say many things are got by them direct from the contractors?
A. Yes.
Q. In that case, you dont know whether the Inspectors actually get what they requisitioned for or not?
A. They requisition for a certain amount and an order is made out on this requisition. It is attached to the Bill and I pay for the amount received.
Q.-You might be requisitioned for certain things and you sign the requisition and in the meantime there might be some arrangement between the Inspector and the con- tractor to send in a Bill though the full amount of goods were not received. What check have you for such an arrangement, there is nobody to go round?
A. There is no check which I exercise so far as that is concerned.
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Mr. Humphreys.-And everything bought for the Sanitary, Departinent goes into stores direct?
A.-Not everything. Only the very large things are brought direct to the Sanitary Board's stores. The Inspectors themselves go to the contractor for other things.
*
agro
that the materials
Mr. Fung Wa Chun.-You told the Commission some half an hour such as coffins and Jeyes' Fluid are kept by the Inspectors entirely. You know nothing about it. You dont know how much is used. You only see a requisition?
A. Yes. The Inspector sends in a requisition initialled by the Medical Officer of Health. I have books showing what each Inspector requisitions for on each occasion. could turn up any minute the amount of stores issued to each Inspector.
Q. And you never check that he has got these things?
A.I say if an Inspector applies for a dozen brooms I make out an order for a dozen brooms. I see that the price on the Bill coincides with the contract price but whether the Inspectors actually gets these brooms I have no means of checking.
Mr. Fung Wa Chun.-Would it not be practicable that the Secretary order all these stores and keep them in a certain place and when an Inspector requisitions for them the Secretary supplies them? Could that not be done instead of getting stores from the Contractor direct?
A.---It would simply mean an amount of stores. It has never been done. Personally, I think it might be done but of course it would mean additional trouble and probably additional expense because there would be the cartage up to the Sanitary Board Office and after it had been carted up there there would be coolie labour to take it to where it is required. For instance, if a man wanted brooms out West, I order them from this mau-the contrac- tor-they come into store here and the Inspector from West Point must come up to the store here and get them from here. It certainly would not be so convenient but it would be a better check. Personally, I have had no reason to suspect that the stores issued to the Inspectors have been misappropriated in any way. Had I suspected such a thing the proper way would be as you suggest.
Q.-But you said that sometimes you find too many brooms and other things being used and you make inquiry?
A.-I go over the book and find two dozen brooms used. I dont know about the kind of work they were for and I ask for an explanation from the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon or the Medical Officer of Health as the case may
be.