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

in June and it is intended to retire him

compulsorily under the authority of Section

3 of the Pensions Ordinance.

Mr. Melbourne, Deputy Registrar, is

now over 58, and it is proposed to retire him

similarly a few months after Mr. Nisbet's

retirement.

Mr. Hill, First Bailiff. The primary

responsibility appears to rest upon him, as

the faults of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar

were those of omission rather than commission,

and charges were brought against him under

Colonial Regulations, but he was virtually acquitted. He has, however, since retired on

medical grounds, so that he is disposed of.

The Shroff was also charged under

Colonial Regulations, but was also acquitted.

In view of the information contained in this

despatch I am at a loss to understand how he

could have been acquitted as it seems to be

quite clear that he was guilty of numerous

irregularities. However, the decision must

stand and there seems unfortunately no way

of getting rid of him as well as the other

three concerned. He is, however, a comparatively

subordinate official. A new method of account ing

is being instituted and the accounting staff

4

is being considerably strengthened. Probably

this will suffice to prevent any further irregular-

ities by the Shroff.

As regards the amount to be written off,

Auch meening

I do not quite understand how it is arrived at.

Reference is made to an advance to the Commissioner

and Broker Company of $27, 324.23 and there was

a