Enclosure No.1.
Hon. Colonial Secretary.
1. I regret to have to report that Chan Yik Shing, Shroff,
Radio Branch (1936 Civil List page 126) absconded yesterday
with $3019.68 in cash.
2. He is No.1 in Class V, and has over 10 years service.
His salary is $1400 p.a. and he is secured for $500, his
pension rights being regarded as additional guarantee.
3. The cash amount to be paid into the Bank in the morning was abnormally large ($2788.62) owing to 11th November being a
Payment is made twice a day and the cash amount is
normally under $1000.
holiday.
4. The paying in slip was presented about 10 a.m. for
signature to Mr. E. V. Reed (Civil List page 70, Class I, Local
Establishment Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff) who is in
charge of the Radio Office accounts, and whose office is on
the first floor of the Post Office Building. The shroff
appears not to have accompanied as usual the Post Office
shroff and detective to the Bank but as this has occasionally
happened before as the money was not available owing to Mr.
Kemp's absence at the aerodrome radio station suspicion was
not thereby aroused. The shroff returned to the Radio Office
about 12 noon and remained there till 1 p.m., during which time
he appropriated an additional $231.06. He did not reappear
after lunch.
5. The fact that the paying-in slip had not been received
receipted by the Bank was not brought to my notice till 3 p.m.,
when I was informed by the Chief Accountant, Mr. Mills.
6. That Mr. Reed did not take action to enquire if the
money had been paid in and if the shroff had returned when the
paying-in slip had not been received by 12 noon shows a
complacency amounting to negligence, especially as the amount
was abnormally large. His explanation is attached. myself occasion to speak to Mr. Reed regarding a money order
matter at 2.30 p.m. and he was then apparently unaware
I had