No. 258.
In any further correspondence on this subject, the above number should be quoted, and the communication should be addressed to The Comptroller and Auditor General.”
Sir,
EXCHEQUER AND AUDIT DEPARTMENT, VICTORIA EMBANKMENT, LONDON, C.O. 0823 22nd October 1903. 23 OCT 03
I am directed by the Comptroller and Auditor General to enclose, for the information of the Secretary of State, a copy of a letter, dated 3rd ultimo, received in this Department from the Local Auditor of Hong Kong, reporting on the working of the new system of dealing with Revenue Stamps, introduced into that Colony on the 1st May last in accordance with Government Notifications Nos. 214 and 235 of the 7th and 16th April 1903.
2. It will be seen from Mr. Nicolle's letter that the surveys of the Stock of Stamps disclosed surpluses on May 31st and June 30th, followed, on July 31st and August 31st, by deficiencies, and that the result on the work of the four months was a net deficiency of $4.25 on a total sale of Stamps valued at $97,475.85.
3. With reference to paragraph 9 of the letter, the Comptroller and Auditor General assumes that, except in the event of a considerable loss, or when defalcations are suspected, in which case special action would of course be taken, any net deficiency on the sale of Stamps will be reported from time to time by the Colonial Government to the Secretary of State, authority for writing off the loss being applied for at the same time.
Under Secretary of State, COLONIAL OFFICE.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant,
D. Form 1h.
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