( 125 )
08
1
9
1610
1
2
3
By the Chairman.—He said he would not like to say how much. kept on the instruments in the store in this building?
Is a check
A-Yes. It is clearly traced and we know what we have issued, and for what we issue we must have issue notes in return from the engineer in charge. We make one issue for maintenance of buildings, or maintenance of telegraphs or anything like that. It is all enumerated what is issued. Then, when they come back to us, it is open at any time for the Local Auditor to find out what has been used.
Q-So that nothing could be lost by being temporarily housed here ?
A-No, it should not be.
Q-Does the Auditor take stock himself?
A-Yes, he has just finished stock taking.
Q-He, himself?
A-Yes, himself, and check balances are made about a dozen times a year. The total stock in hand, as a matter of fact, at the beginning of the year was $194,000, as compared with $69,000 the year before, so the amount of stock is going up rapidly.
Q-The Local Auditor checks all the issues?
A-Exactly. The Store Regulations only authorise us to keep stores at Wanchai and if we are to divide them we must have sanction from the Government, and the only sanction we have at present is that we are allowed to store pipes at the Gas Works.
Q-In the store here ?
A-These are stores already issued.
4
By Mr. Shewan.-Do you think your men are overworked?
5
Q-Are there no hours fixed for your Department ?
A-In the case of sickness, some of thein are.
A-I fixed hours myself for several of them. I have fixed certain days on which they must be at the office by nine o'clock.
6
Q-Do they sign the book?
A-Yes.
7
Q-Do they sign the hour?
8
9
1620
A-Yes.
Q-But no time has been laid down at which they must come in ?
A-No. It is simply an understood thing.
The Chairman.-The Government servant has no fixed hours. He is expected to be on duty until his work is finished.
By Mr. Shewan.--If you are dissatisfied with a man, do you dismiss him?
A. If he were reported through the Department to be dismissed, he would be dismissed.
Q-But before you could do that you would not merely say you were dissatisfied with the man?
A-I could not be dissatisfied with the man and dismiss him. the man before that and show why I have been dissatisfied.
Q-Then you run the risk of having bad men?
A-I have never had that experience.
I have to report
257
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.