CO129-508-5 Supreme Court of Hong Kong- slackness of registry accounting methods 28-10-1927 - 23-4-1928 — Page 106

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Mr. C.A.D. Melbourne.

BREE

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During what period did you act as Registrar S.C.?

From 1.11.24 to 12.11.25.

Were you single handed?

For some time I was single handed. Mr. Butters acted as Deputy Registrar for a time and Mr. Nihill for

a time. Neither gave his whole time to the work. Mr.

Butters was acting as a Magistrate and Mr. Nihill was

doing the new regulations. I never had a full time

Deputy so far as I remember. All the time we had also

to do Bankruptcy work and Trade Marks.

It is understood that you signed all orders for

distraint sales?

Yes. I signed all orders.

When your signature was sought for these orders

was the relevant file produced?

The First Bailiff would bring in the order with

the praecipe. He would not being the file unless I asked

for it.

Did you examine such files to see that the

requisite inventory and appraisement were attached? Did

you take any steps to see that these were made and filed?

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I should not normally call for the inventory

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and appraisement. The inventory would be made out and

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attached to the file. The inventory is nearly always in

Chinese. When I signed the order I should not call for

inventory and appraisement. I should rely on the bailiff

doing his duty under the Ordinance. When the watchmen

are in the inventory in Chinese would be useful to them.

Were all directions to the Treasury with regard

to payments into and out of the Suitors' Fund signed by

you ?

Yes.

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