more extensive & continues to grow, & I think it is out of the question to make him also treasurer, especially more work has been added to the Treasurer's office (by transfer from the old audit office. see 17274) I we have impressed upon the local Staff (in despatch No. 17270) that the Colonial Treasurer is responsible for securing a proper system of book-keeping to prevent fraud in all departments.
Such duties cannot be entrusted to any Officer whose ordinary duties are of an entirely different nature, such as the Registrar General or Police Magistrate. It may be necessary to appoint a separate Treasurer, in which case he should, I think, be also Collector of Stamps (as at the Straits) instead of combining that office with the Post Office.
The present salaries of Treasurer and Collector only amount together to £1920, & it would be necessary to raise this salary at least to £4800 so as to make the pay superior to that of the Ass. Col. Dec. & his Reg. Gen., who under the revised scheme will get £... But about £4500... Part of this salary may become available by reducing the P.M.G.'s salary.
As regards the Collectorship of Stamps being attached to the Treasurership, I would observe that adhesive stamps are, as far as concerned, just introducing the plan of having the Revenue & Postal stamps the same, adhesive stamps may be sold by the Post Office staff, but as to impressed stamps, I think they can be more securely looked after in the comparatively calm and tranquil atmosphere of the Treasury than in the hurry & scurry of the department.
As regards the Post Office, the possibilities of fraud in connection with impressed stamps, and the need of careful supervision, see Grenada, 106790, the purport of which we might take the opportunity of communicating.
Appoint Mr. M. Innes to be Treasurer on the above terms. Ask the Senior Officer, writing generally to the effect of minute above. Mr. ... dinar.
Gu. 23/9/90 for recommendations. Priv. Sec. to sig.
Jeu 21. Minute thinks he comes to the New Audit System which we...
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