Conditions of an Estimate with those afround in the previous year. In the present state of our Department it is impossible to do so in the present instance; however, it can only be done if the result would not raise innumerable questions.
The explanations which accompany the Estimates are quite insufficient. The Secretary's "explanations of alterations" amount to little more than a statement of how they arise, not why. I doubt whether in Hong Kong they realise the importance of the Colonial Secretary keeping the sharpest eye on the details of the Estimates which form the basis of the finances of the Colony. Under his present multifarious duties, I think he can hardly be expected to do so.
I think the time has arrived to appoint a separate Auditor, in the highest degree desirable. We can then require the Colonial Secretary to look more closely into the Estimates, instead of accepting them, as he does, without questioning the returns from the different Departments.
With regard to the substance of these Estimates, I can only make a few general remarks. The Revenue of 1906 was $1,368,000, and that of 1907 was $1,291,000. The Estimate for 1908 is $1,437,000, notwithstanding the loss of "Interest" amounting to $16,846. This way, whatever it may be,
T
itions of an Extermate with those
affround
in the porvious year. In the present the Compacted of our Departement it is infomith
to do so in the praput instance; horr
and
only be
if
the result would
string optimumerable questions
The explanations which accompany
Estimates
U
quite moufficient he
Stenverts "explanations of alterations"
Amount to little
more than a statement
of how theyyamin
not why. I
doubt whether in Hay Kory they
realion the importance of the Colonial
1
Scerator Kurfing the sharpest age details of the Estimates which forme the
on t
•
basis of the finances of the Colony ruder) it bod I think he can hardly be
expected to do with his prant mntifarions duties. His two I think the time has
A he and his
del
sa dysting Ain
arrived to affrint a separate
Anditor, in the highest depen
derimble
We can
it
601
own account,
can these requin the Tolonial Scantry to look more cloud into
the Catimatio, instead of as
accepting
Wcorr
sumpert he does, without question theme of ther
different Deportiments.
With regard to then substance
of these Estimates, I can only
When
G
few generat remarks.
Un Ravense of 1006
#mers $1,368,
hove
1007
1006 reaching
considerably
them the Estimate. Unt of
at $1,291,000
and subsequents at $1395,000 that of 1808 is Estimated at $ 1437,000 bestwithstanding the love of "Interest"
16,846. This way, wh
:
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