E. & A. Dept., Form No. 1b
371
Tre.as
74
17795 Cypres
16836
17344895
1
94
Different
Secretary of State through the Comptroller and Auditor General.
4. This course of procedure now sanctioned for adoption in Hong Kong, is in practical agreement with the method of writing off arrears of revenue adopted in Cyprus, as explained in detail in the correspondence transmitted to this Department in Mr Fairfield's letter of 12th July, 1894, and Mr Bramston's letter of 29th September 1894.
5. As the Secretary of State is aware, Rule 49 of the Colonial Audit Regulations 1893 (Revised Edition) which provides that "the authority of the Secretary of State is required for writing off all losses of public money and irrecoverable arrears of revenue" is founded, so far as arrears of revenue are concerned, on the decision of the Secretary of State already referred to, conveyed to this Department in Mr Fairfield's letter of 14th November 1893.
6. Before submitting an amended Rule, the Comptroller and Auditor General would be glad to be informed whether the procedure sanctioned for Hong Kong and Cyprus is intended to be adopted in all Colonies whose Accounts are examined in the Colonial Audit Branch of this Department.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant
R. W. Wood.