Andit Office,
I say that with concurrence of the C.F.A.G. Lord Ripen proposes to inform the Gov. that he has read Mr. Hakrogd's explanations with much satisfaction & agrees in view expressed in par. 49.
No serious irregularity in the administration of the Bankruptes Accounts has been brought to light, the Gov. has no doubt to expect that the minor irregularities to which Mr. Nicolle has carefully drawn attention & which are admitted to have taken place will not be repeated.
After perusing (especially the first six pars.) the C.F.A.G. will probably agree that the work involved in keeping & auditing these Accounts will not be as heavy as was at first supposed.
2. As regards par. I of this draft, it appears (as W. Winsfeld suggested in margin at par. I of draft on 20846/93) that the monies in the hands of the Official Receiver are so small & remain in his hands for such a short time that I do not recommend any investment for them. I therefore agree with the Gov. that no investment "is called for & the Law need not be amended."
But as regards the Bankrupt Estates Account - in the hands of the Registrar - the monies have been dealt with like the rest of the Court's funds. The question therefore resolves itself into the more general question of the Court's Funds.
These Funds are considerable in amount, but they are not recorded in any returns sent home. They should, I think, be included in the returns of the Bank Balances sent home monthly, and they should also appear, as in other Colonies (including the Straits), in the Annual Statement of Liabilities which should show all the money for which the Gov. or any officer of the Gov. is responsible.
The Interest earned by the funds in hands of the Registrar amounted to $35,000 in 10 years. I cannot find out how much of this has gone to the parties concerned. I sent the specimen statement of Registrar's Accounts (in 2019/91) to him.