COPY
ENCLOSURE 3
58
CONFIDENTIAL
The Deputy Colonial Secretary, Colonial Secretariat, HONG KONG.
Sir,
THE TREASURY,
HONG KONG.
24th June, 1948.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 16th June, enclosing a copy of the report of the committee appointed to enquire into the loss of public money in the District Office, New Territories.
Everything in this report points to the system of accounting as being satisfactory, but that the necessary supervision to supplement that system was lacking.
Para. 2(iv) item (b),
The amount 1,765.90 was paid in
to Government account on the 8th May, so that this sum must be deleted from the total reported missing.
Findings (B) and Recommendations (A) and (B). Whilst
I am in a greement that it would be beneficial for a Treasury officer to overhaul departmental accounting systems, it is impossible with the present staff at my disposal to spare an officer for this work. I am being pressed by the District Officer to do this but regret I am not in a position to do so. All the European officers in the Treasury are fully occupied and to release one for this work is at present out of the question.
Findings (G).
I confirm that when the cheque for
Assistant District officers took
40,000 was issued, one of the charge of its disposal.
Findings (H).
I cannot understand why the duplicate safe key had not been deposited with the Treasury as it is most unsafe to allow a shroff to be in possession of the safe key containing his collections.
Recommendations (D). The District Officer has had an Executive II officer transferred to his department for this work and I have told him that I would give all the assistance I can as far as present circumstances permit.
1ecommendations (I). A departmental banking account has now been opened in Fowloon for the District Officer and no more open cheques are being issued to him.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
sgd: A.T. Collins Taylor.
ACCOUNTANT GENERAL.
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