CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12] — Page 58

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Extract from His Excellency's minute of 2nd September, 1907.

(Visit of Inspection)

In reply to my further questions he said that the accounting work was very heavy, and I believe that he inferred that local audit regulations accentuated this. On the other hand, it has been brought to my notice that the accounts are greatly in arrears. The Comptroller and Auditor-General and the Secretary of State did not consider that an extra audit officer was necessary for the railway accounts, but it was agreed that a skilled accountant who should act as an Examiner and provisional auditor should be appointed on the Railway Staff.

I have already written to expedite the despatch of this officer and will telegraph if desirable. Meanwhile, two questions arise. First, what steps can be taken to simplify accounting and to set free the Chief Resident Engineer from the office work which now absorbs him to the detriment of field work. Clearly, a highly paid expert is wasted if almost all his time is engrossed in office, though the administration of a large concern must necessarily involve a good deal of office supervision as well as outdoor supervision. The Chief Resident Engineer will please formulate any definite proposals he has on this head.

Secondly, can the accounting work be reduced? The letting of small contracts necessarily involves an inordinate amount of accounting, whereas large contracts decrease accounting. The Chief Resident Engineer's proposals will have to be considered by the Treasurer and the Local Auditor, and any final arrangement cannot be made for some little time. This subject will therefore be discussed at the October meeting when the Treasurer will please attend.

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Extract from His Excellency's minute of 2nd September, 1907.(Visit of Inspection)In reply to my further questions he said that the accounting work was very heavy, and I believe that he inferred that local audit regulations accentuated this. On the other hand, it has been brought to my notice that the accounts are greatly in arrears. The Comptroller and Auditor-General and the Secretary of State did not consider that an extra audit officer was necessary for the railway accounts, but it was agreed that a skilled accountant who should act as an Examiner and provisional auditor should be appointed on the Railway Staff.I have already written to expedite the despatch of this officer and will telegraph if desirable. Meanwhile, two questions arise. First, what steps can be taken to simplify accounting and to set free the Chief Resident Engineer from the office work which now absorbs him to the detriment of field work. Clearly, a highly paid expert is wasted if almost all his time is engrossed in office, though the administration of a large concern must necessarily involve a good deal of office supervision as well as outdoor supervision. The Chief Resident Engineer will please formulate any definite proposals he has on this head.Secondly, can the accounting work be reduced? The letting of small contracts necessarily involves an inordinate amount of accounting, whereas large contracts decrease accounting. The Chief Resident Engineer's proposals will have to be considered by the Treasurer and the Local Auditor, and any final arrangement cannot be made for some little time. This subject will therefore be discussed at the October meeting when the Treasurer will please attend.
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1-57.AJII betsb betunia woy of sogerster dVisteroeë Letnolo) .nokald at foe7100 at "eaniyal Jasblasf talɗD odd,PORI,Teďno¿q@2 .arenim of oing aseunod eft benobineup evad I deft tnemejaja*ie:it at benoituren naw aeɛured tuoda galdton as os bib IJærð bequaeïq I bus (ežnog★ пworð snið Attw aðñemostja avižosquez#it #eonawo[Is gal[I÷vanš to šnary (soo) and to saas erit në as•VIA88809/ Bav TonTevob add gonel(sox# «iH to yiirodiust‚aqiladi .♬ ‚I (.68)todibua Isso204W* Ocfopol' T8Q1*Extract from His Excellency's minute of 2nd. September, 1907.(Visit of Inspection)In reply toe my further questions he said that the accounting work was very heavy, and I believe that he inferred that local audit regulations accentuated this. On the ether hand it has been brought to my notics that the accounts are greatly in arrears. The Comptroller and Auditer-General and the Secretary of State did not consider that an extra audit officer was necessary for the railway accounts, but it was agreed that a skilled accountant who should act as an Examiner and provisional auditor should be appointed on the Railway StaffI have already written te expedite the despatch of this officer and will telegraph if desirable. Meanwhile two question arise. First what steps can be taken to simplify accounting and to set free the Chief Resident Engineer from the office work which now absorbs him to the detriment of field work. Clearly a highly paid expert is wasted if almost all his time is engrossed in office, though the administration of a large concern must necessarily involve a good deal of office supervision as well as outdoor supervision, The Chief Resident Engineer will please formulate any definite proposals he has on this head.Secondly can the accounting work be reduced ↑ The latting of small centracts necessarily involves an inordinate amount of account--ing, whereas large contracts decrease accounting. The Chief Resident Engineer's proposals will have to be considered by the Treasurer and the Local Auditer and any final arrangement can➡-not be made for some little time. This subject will therefore be discussed at the October meeting when the Treasurer will please attend.as.
2026-06-05 15:55:48 · Baseline
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1-57

.AJII betsb betunia woy of sogerster d

Visteroeë Letnolo) .nok

ald at foe7100 at "eaniyal Jasblasf talɗD odd,PORI,Teďno¿q@2 .arenim of oing aseunod eft benobineup evad I deft tnemejaja

*ie:it at benoituren naw aeɛured tuoda galdton as os bib I

Jærð bequaeïq I bus (ežnog★ пworð snið Attw aðñemostja avižosquez

#it #eonawo[Is gal[I÷vanš to šnary (soo) and to saas erit në as

•VIA88809/ Bav TonTevob add gonel(sox# «iH to yiirodius

t

‚aqiladi .♬ ‚I (.68)

todibua Isso

204W* Ocfopol' T8Q1*

Extract from His Excellency's minute of 2nd. September, 1907.

(Visit of Inspection)

In reply toe my further questions he said

that the accounting work was very heavy, and I believe that he

inferred that local audit regulations accentuated this. On the

ether hand it has been brought to my notics that the accounts

are greatly in arrears. The Comptroller and Auditer-General

and the Secretary of State did not consider that an extra audit

officer was necessary for the railway accounts, but it was

agreed that a skilled accountant who should act as an Examiner

and provisional auditor should be appointed on the Railway Staff

I have already written te expedite the despatch of this officer

and will telegraph if desirable. Meanwhile two question arise.

First what steps can be taken to simplify accounting and to set

free the Chief Resident Engineer from the office work which now

absorbs him to the detriment of field work. Clearly a highly

paid expert is wasted if almost all his time is engrossed in

office, though the administration of a large concern must

necessarily involve a good deal of office supervision as well as

outdoor supervision, The Chief Resident Engineer will please

formulate any definite proposals he has on this head. Secondly

can the accounting work be reduced ↑ The latting of small

centracts necessarily involves an inordinate amount of account-

-ing, whereas large contracts decrease accounting. The Chief

Resident Engineer's proposals will have to be considered by the

Treasurer and the Local Auditer and any final arrangement can➡

-not be made for some little time. This subject will therefore

be discussed at the October meeting when the Treasurer will

please attend.

as.

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