CO129-387 - Individuals - 1911 — Page 206

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by the 1st Clerk, Mr Botelho.

Prominent

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13. During the months that followed, profitting by my

observations and experience of the new system under which I now had

to work, I made several modifications in the methods employed in the

collection of the large and varied revenue for which I was responsi-

-ble, and I exercised more and more personal supervision as time went

on and I realised further possible openings for dishonesty, which,

to the best of my ability, I took steps to obviate.

among these modifications was an order which I gave to the accountant

the 1st Clerk, and the office "Shroff", to the effect that the last

named should no longer collect any money outside the office, as

heretofore, but that all sums due for Light Dues, Emigration Fees,

Fees for Engagement and Discharge of Seamen, &c: &c:, if not paid

in cash in the office, should be paid by cheque, the shroff only

distributing the accounts, and receiving money in the office alone.

To make sure that this order should be quite understood, I issued

a printed circular to all shipping and other firms concerned, asking

them to cooperate. I also recommended that the sun in which the

shroff had to find security be substantially increased, but this was

not approved.

14. In the autumn of 1910, the 1st Clerk, Vr Mc Iver,

went home on leave, thus leaving Mr Lenfestey, who by this time, I

imagined, had a thorough grasp of the duties and details of all

branches of the Department, in the position of 1st Clerk.

I con-

-tinued my personal supervision, which had been handicapped by the

absence of the Assistant Harbour Master, who had been taken away

to take charge of another Department, but, my health giving way

under the mental strain of my new duties, the constant worries and

petty