- 2 -
16
'phoned the office to say he would be late. At about 2.30 p.m.
Chan not having 'phoned or returned, Mr. Costa with the aid of
the Technician, broke open Chan's drawer in which he found
the paying-in slips and cheques, but no cash. Chan's second
drawer containing his personal belongings was open and empty.
While the drawer was being opened Mr. Reed 'phoned down
to enquire about the bank receipt. Mr. Costa then informed
him that Chan had not returned whereupon Mr. Reed came down
to make enquiries.
5. During the early part of yesterday afternoon I was at
Kai Tak Aeradio where at 2.55 p.m. a telephone message was received from the Radio Office informing me of Chan's
non-appearance. I got into touch with Mr. Mills who already
had the matter in hand and returned to the office to find
Police enquiries in progress.
6. For many years the procedure in force has been for the
shroff on his return from the bank to personally take the
bank receipt to the Accountant who, if it is not returned
to him within a reasonable time, makes any enquiries he
considers necessary. The shroff is usually away from the
office for half an hour or forty minutes if the bank is
unusually busy. The question of the shroff personally
returning the bank receipt to the Accountant's office was
raised by Chan only a week or ten days ago when he grumbled
at having to do this and asked if a messenger could be
instructed to return it. He was then told it was his duty
to personally return the receipt.
7. With reference to para 2 of your minute it has not been
the practice, nor have any instructions been issued on this
point, for any member of the Counter staff to see the bank
receipt, it being assumed that if the shroff making the
payments into the Bank returns to duty in time for the tiffin
relief and in the absence of any enquiries from the Accountant