38/03.
COPY.
LETTER FROM THE LOCAL AUDITOR OF HONG KONG TO THE O. COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL.
*1
591
38823
HONG KONG,
Reen 23 OCT 03 3rd September, 1903.
Rec 4.G. 21.
Sir,
With reference to my letter No: 38/03, C.& A.G. 13 of 14th May last on the subject of stamp revenue, the new system has now been in force for four months and I have the honour to report as follows on the working of it:
2. The check is automatic, as stamps to a given value are issued from time to time and the value of such stamps ought to be accounted for.
3. In view of the system being new and of the fact that there were 25 different denominations to be dealt with I have personally at the close of each month surveyed the stock of stamps in hand and the result has not been entirely satisfactory.
4. On 31st May there was an excess of $3 on 30th June an excess of $12.85, on 31st July a deficiency of $13.78 and on 31st August a deficiency of $6.32, making on the four months a nett deficiency of $4.25.
5. I am confident from frequent surprise visits to the stamp office that very great care is used as regards the issue and use of stamps but the amount of work is so great and the number of documents to be handled so many that I fear small discrepancies of the kind will be the rule and not the exception.
6. No stamps are issued loose to the public. In every case the documents are handed into the Stamp Office and the stamps affixed to them by officers of the Department.
7. During the period under review stamps to a value of $97,475.85 in all have been affixed to documents and overprinted, and spoiled stamps to the value of $2707.65 have been accounted for.