348
(8)
CIRCULAR.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 10th March, 1875. Heads of Departments are requested to forward to this Office, at their earliest convenience, at Return of all Subordinate Officers in their respective departments, who are entrusted with money, through whose hands money passes, or who have any considerable amount of stores under their control
It is, however, to be kept in mind that any arrangement which may be made for the better tion of losses arising from the misconduct of Subordinate Officers, in no wise lightens the responsibilities of Heads of Departments, who are ultimately answerable for all moneys and stores connected with their duties.
A Form of Return is circulated herewith.
preven.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
RETURN of OFFICERS in VICTORIA GAOL DEPARTMENT who are entrusted with money, through whose hands money posses, or who have any considerable amount of stores under their control.
Name of Officer.
Warden, Alfred Grey, Interpreter, Yip Ling Mui,
Average amount of money passing through his hands monthly
or of stores under his control.
To the Honourable CECIL C. SMITH,
Whether he has given
security and
to what amount.
Remarks.
$100 15
No.
No.
(Signed)
GRO. L. TOMLIN,
Acting Superintendent.
Acting Colonial Secretary,
HONGKONG.
(C.S.O. No. 1203 of 1879.)
MINUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.
Adverting to my minute of the 6th of September, 1878, (C.S.O. No. 2110), calling for explana- tion as to how Lord KIMBERLEY's instructions, that the Treasurer and some other Officers should give security, had not been complied with, and to the explanations of Mr. C. C. SMITH, Mr. PRICE, and Mr. TONNOCHY, I should be glad if the Colonial Secretary and the Acting Treasurer would look into the whole question of the security of Public Officers and report how the matter stands, and what steps should be taken to comply with the Treasury Regulations and the instructions of the Secretary of State.
(Signed) J. POPE HENNESSY. 27th March, 1879. Seen (Inl.) W. H. M.
"7
C. M.
MINUTE BY THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
In compliance with the above directions, I have drafted some rules, which I sent to Mr. May to consider, but owing to the illness of that gentleman, they have been returned without remarks.
(Inl.) W. H. MARSH,
21st April, 1879.
FURTHER MINUTE BY THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
Colonial Secretary.
I submit for His Excellency's consideration draft Rules and a Schedule shewing what securities are now given and what changes I propose for the future. It will be observed that the nature of the security now given is most diverse; in some instances personal security only; in some personal with one or with two sureties each, for separate amounts; and in other cases all, or some only, jointly and severally.
( 9 )
An uniform rule should be established that the Principal and his Sureties should be bound, all jointly and severally, in the full amount. Likewise the amount should in future be always expressed in dollars.
I have shown these Rules to Mr. LISTER, who thinks they will do, and I would suggest that before being finally approved, a printed copy be sent to each Head of Department, inviting his obser- vations. It will be seen that in some cases I propose an increase and in other a decrease in the amount of security now given.
(Inl.)
5th May, 1879.
DRAFT REGULATIONS RESPECTING SECURITIES.
W. H. M., Colonial Secretary.
1. The security which shall be furnished in future by Officers in the Public Service shall be of the amount and nature specified in the Schedule A hereto attached.
2. The Governor may authorize the deposit of any Monies, Bonds, Title Deeds of Property, Shares, &c., as security in lieu of the security prescribed in this Schedule, or may accept a Policy of an approved Guarantee Office.*
3. Except in cases where special directions may be given by His Excellency the Governor, those Officers who have already given security which is not quite in accordance with this Schedule, are not required to renew it until it has become insufficient from some other cause.
4. It will be the duty of the Colonial Secretary to see that Heads of Departments who are required to furnish security, have duly complied with that requirement; and to report to the Governor as soon as such security has been furnished in proper formn.
5. It will be the duty of Heads of Departments to see that all subordinates who are required to furnish security have duly complied with that requirement, and to report to the Colonial Secretary as soon as such security has been furnished in proper form.
6. The names of collateral sureties proposed by any Officer, or any other arrangements proposed for giving security by the deposit of Title Deeds, Bonds, Shares, &c., shall be submitted for the approval of His Excellency the Governor by the Head of the Department concerned, together with his report on the sufficiency of each surety or security.
7. Security Bonds shall be in the form B hereunto annexed.
8. Security Bonds when duly executed, or deposit receipts for Title Deeds, Bonds, Shares, &c., which have been accepted as security, shall be forwarded to the Auditor General to be kept in his custody and placed in the Vault.
9. Heads of Departments will be held responsible for reporting to the Governor as soon as the value of any security which has been accepted on their recommendation has been affected by the death or insolvency of a collateral surety or by any other cause, and it will be their duty to see that fresh security is furnished in any such case without delay.
10. The Auditor General will, every quarter, cause an examination to be made of the security bonds in his custody with the view of assuring himself that the foregoing regulation has been complied with,
11. When any Officer who is required to give security, obtains leave of absence, the Head of the Department concerned is responsible that the person who shall be appointed as the substitute of such officer furnishes the proper security without delay, and likewise that the outgoing officer renders a proper account of all monies or stores, &c., in his charge.
(Inl.) W. H. M.
* Sec Circular Despatch of 6th February, 1872, naming Guarantee Offices whore bonds may be accepted.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.