。
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
LICO. 882
9
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
90
incurred in respect of the Colony, but they fear that if the items in question were inserted in the Blue Book as proposed they could hardly fail to produce a false impression
**
The statement in the Blue Book under calendar years, made up partly from the District Paymaster's records of local expenditure, partly from that officer's approxi- mate figures for expenditure incurred in England so far as can be ascertained locally," and now proposed to be supplemented by expenditure on certain other selected items, would not be a complete statement of the cost of the garrison, and would not agree with the statement of cost in each financial year furnished annually by this Office. Nor would it be possible for this Department to furnish the items necessary to complete the statement in time for their inclusion in the Blue Book of the year concerned, even if it were practicable at any time to give correctly under calendar years figures which are based on the records of financial years.
In these circumstances the Council venture to suggest that the present statement in the Blue Book might well be replaced by the official statement of cost as rendered by this Office for the latest financial year available in each case.
I am to state, with reference to the penultimate paragraph of War Office letter of 3rd instant, that if, in addition to the War Office statement, Sir J. Anderson desires to show in the Blue Book the amounts spent locally, the Council would be happy to instruct the General Officer Commanding to furnish those figures as hereto- fore
22793
I am, &c.,
E. W D. WARD.
No. 113.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received 26 June, 1907.)
No. 231. L.F.] [Copy to Giavermoor, 20 Aunist, 1907.
[Answered by No, 115.]
SIR.
War Office, London, S.W., 26th June, 1907. Wrrn reference to War Office letter, dated 10th April last, regarding the Straits Settlements military contribution, I am commanded by the Army Council to acquaint you that on further examination it would appear that. in addition to the sum of $9,369.20 referred to therein, an over-payment by the Colony of $197.676.80 in respect of the year 1904 still remains to be adjusted.
So far as this Department is aware, the facts as to the contributions for the calendar years 1904 and 1905 are as follows:-
The contribution paid in respect of the year 1904 exceeded the amount due by $197,676.80.
In estimating the contribution for the year 1905 the Colony assumed an over- payment in 1904 of $207,046, and reduced by this amount the monthly payments to be made during 1905, the adjustment being intended to be spread over 1905. When the over-payment in respect of 1904 was found to be $197,676.80 only, the difference between this sum and the sum of $207,046 deducted from the estimated 1905 contribution was paid in one amount to Army Funds. This is the $9,369.20 paid in August, 1905, referred to in War Office letter of 10th April.
The 1905 Estimate from which the abatement of $207.046 was made proved to be far in excess of the amount actually due, and the attempted gradual adjustment in respect of 1904 was thus rendered ineffectual. The (reduced) monthly payments made in 1905 exceeded by $48.432.44 the contribution due in respect of 1905, irre- spective of any adjustment arising on 1904; and the $207,046 overpaid in respect of 1904 appears still to remain due, i.e.. $197,676.80 plus the refund of $9,969.20 dealt with in War Office letter of 10th April.
• No. 109.
† 12688: not printed.
91
The contributions payable in respect of the two calendar years 1904 and 1905, together with the payments actually made by the Colony in respect of those two The Army years, are summarised in tabular form in the annexed statement. Council would be glad to know whether the Colonial authorities concur in it. If so, it is proposed to adjust the over payments by now refunding the sterling equiva lent of the two sums, $197,676.80 and $9,369.20, which at 2s. 4d. to the dollar equals £24,155 7s. 4d.
I am to add that adjustments of over-payments will be simplified if the Colony will adopt, in future, the procedure suggested in the penultimate paragraph of War Office letter of 10th April last.
I am, &c.,
Enclosure in No. 113.
E. W. D. WARD.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS, 1904 and 1905.
CONTRIBUTIONS PAYABLE.
C.
In respect of 1904 ... 2,087,696.72 1905 1,863,152.56
Overpaid by the
Colony in respect of 1905, in course of ad- justment in the 1906 - contribution
Balance due to the Colony :
(i.e. Actually
overpaid
$
in 1904 197,676.80
Further
payment
in Aug.,
1905
22532
(No. 179.)
9.369.20)
48,432.44
207,046.00
4,206,327.72
PAYMENTS BY THE COLONY.
C.
During 1904:
12 instalments at
$190,194.41
(with
fractional adjustment) 2,282,333.00
In December, 1905 :
Correction of error
in mode of calculation
of 1904 contribution
During 1905:
11 instalments at
$159,298 ...
1 instalment at
$159,307
In August, 1905:
Further correction
in respect of 1904 over-payment
No. 114.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
3,040.52
2,285,373.52
1,911,585.00
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
*
1,911,585.00
9,369.20
4,206,327.72
SIR,
Downing Street, 27 June, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch, No. 166, of the 13th instant, respecting the Blue Book Returns of Military Expenditure in the Straits Settlements, I have the honour to transmit to you, for your consideration, the accompanying copy of a further lettert from the War Office on the subject.
I have, &c.,
• L.F. transmitting copy of Nos. 109 and 110.
↑ No. 113.
ELGIN.
92