A (2) 18
(n) Judiciary-A typewriter of a replacement cost of $315.00, in use at a local Magistracy, was stolen, while 2 portable electric heaters were damaged by the thief.
No information as to the persons responsible for the thefts reported under ((a) to (n)) could be obtained.
96.
(o) Harbour Department-A departmental check revealed that approximately three tons of coal valued at $58.20 forming part of an issue to a Government launch could not be satisfactorily accounted for, but had apparently been disposed of unlawfully. The crew of the launch concerned were dismissed from the service, for this and another irregularity connected with the same incident. The matter was reported to the Secretary of State who approved of the shortage being written off.
(p) Harbour Department-413 yards of Canvas valued at $292.54 forming part of the Yaumati store stocks was found to be deficient after a departmental survey. Certain subordinate Government employees, who gave no satisfactory explanation of the loss and who were considered as being responsible for it, were dismissed. The Secretary of State to whom the matter was referred approved of the "write off".
(q) Public Works Department--Two uniforms were stolen and pawned by a Government messenger who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and dismissed the service. The cost of redemption of the articles viz. $5.78 was charged to expenditure with the approval of the Secretary of State.
Manner in which store accounts have been kept.
As usual stores accounts were accurately kept and gave rise to no adverse comments on this account. Some progress was made during the year to standardize the stores accounting in the Colony, while certain of the antiquated and cumbersome systems, referred to in paragraphs 114 and 115 of the 1938 Audit Report, have been overhauled and replaced by more satisfactory ones. As a result of Audit representations, proper tools and plant records were either introduced or the initial steps were taken to do so.
97. Standard Forms for Storekeeping.
After a good deal of correspondence had passed between departments and effort on the part of the Audit Department, the following uniform types of stores forms were approved by Government :-
For Unallocated Stores.
(a) Requisition Forms-printed in duplicate and bearing printed consecutive numbers.
(b) Issue Notes-printed in quadruplicate and bearing printed consecutive numbers.
For Allocated Stores.
(a) Stores Ledger.
(b) Issue Notes-printed in triplicate and bearing printed consecutive numbers.
Log Books for Motor Vehicles.
Log Books for Government Launches.
Conversion Vouchers.