436
It is not difficult to find adequate reasons. The work of the Shanghai Registry occupies a large proportion of the time of the Consul-General and of the Crown Advocate, fully half the time of a Vice-Consul, and the entire time of one clerk, while nothing is charged for rent of office premises nor for the use of furniture. There are now over 300 companies on the Shanghai Register, about 25 new corporations being added yearly, and some ten cases involving the Registry have come before the Courts here this year; the total value of the services given to the Hongkong Government may be reasonably estimated at $8,000 to $10,000 per annum; the amount the Hongkong Government pay for these services is $3,000 per annum; the amount they receive as a result of these services is between $100,000 and $150,000 per annum. (The total remittance in 1922 was $105,266.58, but this amount will be much exceeded this year, the collection at present amounting to over $135,000).
It should also be considered that the work of the Registry is always increasing, and that it is not unlikely that in the course of a few years it may demand the entire time of one officer.
Should an increased contribution be arranged, it is suggested that it should take the form of a payment to the Consular Chest, definite allowances being assigned to the officers engaged in the work. The present system is not wholly satisfactory; after deducting the wages of the clerk and the amount estimated for incidental expenditure, the balance is divided between the Crown Advocate and the Deputy Registrar in the proportion of one-third to the former and two-thirds to the latter. Their emoluments are therefore dependent on the amount saved from incidental expenditure, which means in effect that when legal proceedings have been taken, they have to be prepared to pay the costs out of their own.
436
It is not difficult to find adequate reasons. The work
of the Shanghai Registry occupies a large proportion of the time of the Consul-General and of the Crow Advocate, j'ully
half the time of a Vice-Consul, and the entire time of one
clerk, while nothing; is charged for rent of office premises
nor for the use of furniture, There are now over 300
companies on the Shanghai Register about 25 new corporations
being added yearly and some ten cases involving the Registry
have come before the Courts here this year; the total value
of the services given to the Hongkong Government may be
reasonably estimated at 88,000 to 10,000 per annum; the
amount the Hongkong Goverment pay for these services is
$3,000 per amum; the amount they receive as a result of these services is between $100,000 and $150,000 per annum. (The total remittance in 1922 was $105,266.58, but this amount
will be much exceeded this year the collection at present
amounting to over £135,000).
-
It should also be considered that the work of the
Registry is always increasing, and that it is not unlikely
that in the course of a few years it may demand the entire
time of one officer.
Should an increased contribution be arranged, it is
suggested that it should take the form of a payment to the
Consular Chest, definite allowances being assigned to the
officers engaged in the work. The present system is not
wholly satisfactory; after deduoting the wages of the clerk
and the amount estimated for incidental expenditure, the
balance is divided between the Crown Advocate and the Deputy
Registrar in the proportion of one-third to the former and
two-thirds to the latter. Their emoluments are therefore
dependent on the amount saved from incidental expenditure,
which means in effect that when legal proceedings have been
taken, they have to be prepared to pay the costs out of their
OWIV
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