Extract from Retrenchment Committee's Report.
Audit Department.
319
The Committee are of opinion that the present system of auditing the expenditure of the Colony in England is not as efficient as would be an audit made on the spot and that it is wasteful in clerical labour, stationery & otherwise.
They are in accord with the principle that the members of the Audit Department should continue to be appointed by, and remain under the control of, the Comptroller and Auditor-General; but they recommend that the Audit of Expenditure be made locally. For the complete audit which would thus be established they consider that the following Staff would be sufficient:-
Local Auditor ..... £720 - £810.
2 Assistants at £420 to £540 each... £840 - £1,080.
2 2nd Grade Clerks, $1,320 to $1,560 each................ $2,640 to $3,120.
1 Messenger..... $132.
1 Messenger..... $120.
The result would be a small saving on present Expenditure as shown in enclosure No.17(3).
We are strongly of opinion that the present system of allowing the Local Auditor to audit the accounts of the Naval Yard and of the Colony of Weihaiwei, and to receive fees in respect of such work, should be abolished, or if continued that the fees should be credited to the Colonial Government who pay the Local Auditor and his Staff for the whole of their time.
(sd) F.H.May.
A.M.Thomson,
C.Moll Messer.
M. Stewart.
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