CO129-534-3 Report of Retrenchment Commission 4-5-1931 - 19-2-1932 — Page 100

AUDIT DEPARTMENT.

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merically not a large department, but an

important one, auditing as it does the accounts of all

Government departments. It has expanded little during

the last twenty years, certainly not in proportion to

the increase in the Colony's revenue and expenditure.

It would therefore be unwise to try to force any

drastic retrenchment on the department. Such a course

would only lead to a less careful scrutiny of the

Colony's book keeping with the consequent risk of fraud.

2.

There does not appear to be any sufficient

reason for the employment of an European lady stenographer,

and it is recommended that the post be abolished.

The Auditor stated that he would be willing to release

three Chinese clerks, provided that he could select the

three to go. This is but reasonable, and the Commissioners

recommend that it be done.

3.

The Senior Cler in the department is a member of

the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff and therefore

liable to transfer to another department.

The

Commissioners are of the opinion that to transfer 'the

senior clerk of a department in which he has spent many

years does not make for efficiency, and that the holder

of the post should not be regarded as available for

transfer.

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This applies to all Government departments.

As this will deprive him of his opportunity for promotion

to one of the higher posts in the Senior Clerical and

Accounting Staff, it will in time be necessary to raise

the post from Class I to a Special Appointment.

of Examiner should be retained.

The post

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