L
As to the amount to be written off.
I to
D.C.A. for obsu.
OCA
s
JJ.P.
11/4.
For your sous please
W. Collier Grinde
074
114 14/4/20
The information sow furnished considerally mod of as the conclusions which were based a this particulars previously reported. here hieles it is si sent, from the fact had it is admiked hial hitherto the champs have not been checke
at efficiently,
hand intervals, hat his
departmental persion is he past hav bean wasquală. Steps have been taken to I carem in me comedy this hapless.
suggestion hat the whole of the missing dampen
Mould be written a change.
We shall no dourt hear further as
to the defalcations in the
Police Dept.
вв.
SA.
4.2.1
A&C
15.4
16.4.21 Alme
N: 83.
28/0
Sir,
о
16897
REC: 8 API 21
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG. 21st February, 1921.
154
In reply to Lord Milner's despatch No.441 of the 17th December, I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Messer has now
draw attention to the existence of a statement of stamps on hand on the 31st December, 1919, which was signed by Messra. d'Aquino and Rozario and countersigned by Mr. Hutchison.
2. This statement of which Mr. Hutchison must have forgot-
-ten the existence shews that the stamps were duly checked at the end of the year and it follows that the misappropriations occurred during the first three weeks of January. As the first days of January were holidays it is probable that they did not begin until after Mr. Messer left the Colony. Mr. Messer therefore does not seem to be to blame in any way and, as I have already stated in my despatch No.121 of the 10th April, I do not consider that the late Mr. Hutchison should be blamed, neither should Mr. d'Aquino in my
The fault opinion in view of the check taken on December 31st. lies with the system, now amended, under which the stamps were not checked at eufficiently short intervals.
3. In the circumstances I can only suggest that the whole amount should be written off, although it is quite likely that the loss is much smaller than appears, as it would seem not impossible that the shroff took with him some of the missing stemps which, except in the case of Bills of Exchange and the 5 cent receipt stamps, would prove not to be negotiable.
HE RIGHT HONOURABLE
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient humble, servant,
7. E. Stutts
Governor, &c.
WINSTON CHURCHILL, M.P..
&C..
&C.
&c..