CO129-607-1 Enquiry into loss of public money 22-5-1948 - 26-10-1948 — Page 57

57

came for the money, and the D.0. South found that the voucher had not even been made out. He repeated this order for the voucher to be made out and sent. About a week later, on the Village Representative's return, the D.0. South found that the money was still not available, though the voucher had been sent. So, feeling morally responsible, the D.0. South paid the Village Representative the $700 out of his own pocket, trusting him to sign a proper receipt for it when the voucher returned from Treasury. The voucher has since been properly receipted.

(v)

Failure to supervise (missing) Shroff.

(vi)

This Department now has an Accountant, and

(1)

the Cash Books are posted daily;

2

the Daily Collection Books are post daily; (4) the Shroff is given much more supervision; and (5) an Imprest Cash Book has been started.

As regards (3), it is not considered that separate cash boxes are necessary for each different type of cash.

As regards the Director of Audit's final paragraph, the D.0.0. Taipo and Yuen Long have their own separate Imprest Accounts.

In forwarding these comments I regret I must again draw your attention to the fact that in spite of the accounting crisis which has occurred in this Department, you have still, owing to shortage of senior staff, been unable to give my system the overhaul it so obviously needs. An early overhaul, and accompanying advice, would be most welcome. The temporary makeshift system to which we are working puts an undue strain on the senior officers of this Department, cramping them in their performance of other equally important duties.

sgd: J. Barrow,

D.O.N.T. 11. 6. 48