327
3.
Subsequently the Magistrate represented
to me in a personal interview that he did not think that Mr. Edwards was in a mental condition to appreciate his position and that if the prosecution were proceeded with his reason was likely to be affected. In these circumstances I decided to dismiss Edwards from the service with forfeiture of pension and he is now on his way to England to join His Majesty's armies. He was formerly in the Royal Marine Light Infantry.
4.
With regard to the items of which the defalcations are made up, I have to explain that item 1 covered only a period of six days. Item 2 was made up of $200 being the annual advance to cover petty expenses throughout the year and of the special advance made to pay salaries of Chinese employees at the time of the Chinese New Year in advance of the due date of monthly payment. Both these itens are sums which the Principal Civil Medical Officer might reasonably leave to the sole charge of the Accountant for some little time at my rate,
With regard to the 3rd. item I find that it has been the practice of the Principal Civil Medical Officer's predecessor to leave money and valuables deposited by patients solely in the charge of the Accountant.
Dr. Johnson's predecessors in office have been fortunate in
having had to deal with honest Accountants.
Item 4 is to be regarded like items 1 and
2 as a sudden theft which the Principal Civil Medical
Officer may perhaps be excused in not preventing.
5.
Having regard to the fact that the
Principal Civil Medical Officer is charged with the perform-
-ance of general and specific professional duties and is to some extent handicapped as regards the close and continuous
supervision
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.