306
Hand
and for which accounts have not yet
been rendered to
to this Department.
Enough
In requesting you will be good
10
cove
Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton to call the attention of the Authorities at Hong Kong to the subject, with a view to the accounts and balances due to the Estates of these two deceased Seamen being remitted at once,
I am to take this opportunity of stating, for the information of Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, that it appears to my Lords that the delays in rendering accounts from Hong Kong are chiefly attributable to the system adopted in the Colony by which Accounts of the Harbour Master (who acts as Shipping Master under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1854) are transmitted to this Department through the Colonial Treasurer and Colonial Secretary.
At other Colonial Ports the officer who acts as Shipping Master transmits his quarterly accounts immediately after the expiration of the quarter to which they relate direct to this Department, and either draws upon the accountant to this Board for the expense incurred by him or remits any balance he may have on hand arising from the receipts of Wages &c., and sale of deceased Seamen's accounts
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