CO129-575-5 Passport Office- authorisation for writing off deficiencies 31-3-1939 - 19-3-1940 — Page 53

3.

No. 294

139

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HỒNG KONG.

20th April, 1939.

2 sq

Sir,

(

With reference to my despatch No. 241 dated 31st March, 1939, regarding the writing off of part of the salary overpaid to Mr. R.G. Witchell formerly of the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff, I have the honour to request your authority to write off the further sum of fourteen dollars, being fees in connection with the issue of passports and visas which have not been properly brought to account. Investigations show that this irregularity occurred during Mr. Witchell's service in the Passport Office and while he was responsible for the issue of receipts; there is therefore good reason to believe that it was due to his fraud or negligence. A thorough check of the accounts of the Passport Office was conducted after Mr. Witchell was dismissed and measures have been introduced to prevent the recurrence of similar irregularities. It is not however considered that any action could usefully be taken against Mr. Witchell, although his

whereabouts have now been located in Canada, unless more extensive defalcations should come to light.

I have the honour to be,

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,

&c., &c., &c.

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

J.C.d

1. C.d hartherto

Governor.