CO129-469 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [9-12] — Page 81

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5.

In my opinion Mr. Messer ought not to be

held responsible. In the light of subsequent events it may be said that he should have realized that the system wes defective in some respects and should have altered it either when he was Captain Superintendent of Police or on his assumption of the post of Treasurer. But the existing system apparently worked satisfactorily under his personal

supervision and I think it is not unreasonable that he

should have assumed that it would continue to do so. The

fact that Mr. Wolfe was too hard-worked in other directions

to give the same close supervision to the accounting side as Mr. Messer had done vitiated this assumption. It was

most unfortunate that a period of stress due to the

disorganization of the Police Force by war conditione

Bynchronized with the holding of the office of accountant

by a dishonest man.

6.

I have not troubled you with the details of

what has been done by Mr. Messer in getting the financial

side of the Police Department into good order, but I should

like to remark that the total amount of the loss incurred

by Chan Pui's embezzlements is now found to be only

$26,652,56. In the circumstances after careful considerat-

-ion, I recommend that this sum, less the amount of £1000

recovered from Chan Pui's security, be written off.

7.

From what I have said above it will be seen

that I do not consider that any disciplinary measures

should be taken in regard to this matter. As to your second

question I can only say that I regard Mr. Messer as a very

valuable officer, on whose judgment I can place reliance,

and that his removal from the office of Treasurer would be

a serious injury to the public service.

I have the honour to be,

sir.

Your most obedient humble servent,

7.2. Statte

Governor, &c.