CO129-575-6 Delegation of authority to write off losses of stores- etc. 28-3-1939 - 1-1-1940 — Page 11

No.

553.

53521/39

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG.

14th August, 1939.

Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that the Director

of Colonial Audit has drawn attention to the fact that

losses of stores have been written off charge under the

authority of the Financial Secretary, whereas Colonial

Regulation No.345 requires the authority of the Governor

for the writing off of losses and deficiencies of stores.

The authority to write off such losses was delegated to

the Colonial Treasurer by Sir A. Caldecott in May, 1936,

and the Financial Secretary has been treated as

inheriting the powers of the Colonial Treasurer in that

respect. This delegation of authority was not, however,

submitted for your approval and I have now to request

that your approval may be given. It seems to me

unnecessary that the Governor should have to approve

personally the writing off of comparatively minor losses,

but the Financial Secretary would naturally exercise

discretion and submit to me cases of more than ordinary

importance, while losses and deficiencies involving theft

Anod:

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,

&c.,

&C., &C.