CO129-472 - Others - 1921 — Page 150

ضو

Copy.

08139/21.

The Secretary,

Post Office.

147

I am to transmit herewith copy of a Report

by the Postmaster General from which it will be seen that economical arrangements could be made for the audit of the accounts of the Postal Agencies without the intervention of the Hong Kong Auditor. My Lords would be glad to be informed whether the Secretary of State would be agreeable to the audit of the Weihaiwai Agency being undertaken by an official of that Territory.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Ad Barstow

TREASURY.

It is considered that suitable arrangements could be

made for the auditing of the Accounts of the Agencies at

Wei-hai-wei and in China generally, without the intervention

of the Hong Kong Auditor, as follows:-

Wei-hai-wei

Shanghai

Canton

Ningpo

Other Agencies

(Amoy, Chef oo, Foochow, Hankow, Hoihow, Swatow, and Tientsin).

By an Administrative official of

the colony if the suggestion that the

Government Accounts should be so

audited is adopted.

By the Postmaster General of

Hong Kong on the visits of

inspection which he pays at intervals,

By the Postmaster General or an

Accounting Officer from Hong Kong,

which is within easy reach.

By the Postmaster of Shanghai on

occasional visits as may be necessary.

Very little business is done.

These are all situated at a

considerable distance from Hong Kong

and Shanghai. It is proposed that the

audit should be undertaken by the

local Consul.

Arrangements on these lines would reduce travelling

expenses and subsistence allowance toa minimum and would

effect a saving on the present cost of the audit.

If these proposals be approved, the Postmaster General

of Hong Kong will be consulted as to their practicability.

(Signed) G.E.P. Murray.

15th August, 1921.

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