414
DRAFT.
MINUTE.
Mr.
It is a matter of concern that the audit of the Official Receiver's accounts is not being carried out efficiently.
Mr. Fairfield. I should like to discuss this with the Jyantio representatives in haste.
Mr. Wingfield.
Mr. Bramston.
Mr. Meade.
Mr. Buxton.
Marquess of Ripon.
I learn that the accounts are audited under section 62 of the Administration of Estates Ordinance.
I gather also from Mr. Mes report that the audit has been perfunctory and inefficient in other respects.
Account, and surplus moneys standing to the credit of this account, beyond the amount likely to be required for current demands are invested for the benefit of the Government.
I would invite you to consider whether the Hong Kong law should be amended in this respect somewhat on the lines indicated by Sir Charles Ryan and already adopted in the Straits Settlements, or at any rate whether provision should not be made for the investment of surplus moneys in the hands of the Official Receiver where practicable.
I note the statement towards the end of Mr. Nicolle's report that Mr. Bruce Shepherd retained certain moneys in his own hands instead of paying them into the bank, apparently in contravention of s.60 of the Ordinance, and I should be glad of a further explanation of the facts and the light in which this omission is viewed by the Registrar.
The moneys of estates in bankruptcy deposited by the Official Receiver in a bank should be included in the usual returns of Government Bank Balances, as the Government is to some extent responsible for these funds.
Such moneys are included in the like returns.