(1) Audit arrangements (paragraph 36).
My view is that the audit of the Municipality
accounts should be carried out by the Colonial
Audit Department.
(k) ..
Transfer to the Municipality of movable
and immovable property (paragraphs 37 and 38).
I 1
I should be glad to be consulted further on the
question of the terms on which property should be
transferred or leased to the Municipality when
details of such property are available, In
deciding upon the terms, regard will have to be
paid to the Colony's financial position at the time
and to the question whether any replacements will
be necessary for Central Government purposes.
(1)
Secondment of staff to the kunicirality
(paragraph 40). I agree that this question should
(m)
be referred to the Commission proposed in paragraph 33
of Sir Mark Young's despatch, but it will be
necessary to consider very carefully whether,
without prejudice to the interests of the holders,
the posts of seconded officers should be retained
on the Colonial Establishment once the duties of
those posts have been transferred to the Municipality.
Secondment of an experienced Town Clerk
(paragraph 41). As you will be aware, Sir Mark Young
subsequently suggested, after further consideration,
that steps should be taken to select and engage an
experienced Town Clerk from the United Kingdom for
a period of approximately two years to supervise
the establishment of the Municipal Government in
Hong Kong I agree with this proposal, and
enquiries are now being made for a suitable officer.
(n) external control over the affairs of the
Municipality (paragraph 42). The question whether
or not the affairs of the Municipal Council should be