The Gazette 1961 - 64

systems because loose-leaf stationery is very much cheaper than bound books. Any solicitor who feels that his cash office is overloaded with work and that the solution to the problem lies in modernising its procedures should call on the services of someone who is properly qualified to recommend a system which is specifically designed to suit his requirements. [The above article, composed by the Office Advisory Service, has been reproduced with the kind permission of the Law Society, London.] STAMPS BRANCH—POSTAL SERVICE The attention of members is drawn to the fact that while the Revenue Commissioners regard the procedure for stamping documents on personal attendance as a facility provided for solicitors who wish to complete transactions without delay there is no rule against using the post office. Many Dublin and country solicitors do in fact transact business with the Stamps branch by post. Having regard to the delays which sometimes occur in stamping documents at the counter, members are reminded of the postal facilities. Postage should be pre-paid on mailing the documents to the Stamp Office. The stamped instrument is returned by registered post. The solicitor presenting the instrument for stamping has the option of sending it in for assessment before payment or forwarding the instrument accompanied by a guaranteed cheque or cash for the amount of the stamp duty. If any query arises on the instrument or the amount of the duty the solicitor will be notified. Solicitors who wish to avail of this service will no doubt consider the advisability of themselves insuring instruments against loss both ways. Registration is little more than proof of posting. STOCK TRANSFER ACT, 1964 The Act provides for a new form of stock or share transfer printed in the schedule to the Act. The adoption of the new form is optional and the parties may continue to use the ordinary form of stock transfer. The principal features of the new procedure are that (i) the execution of a stock transfer in the new form need not be attested, (2) where the transfer has been executed for the purpose of a stock exchange transaction (i.e., between members of the stock exchange acting for clients) a special form is provided. (3) The new procedure may be used for fully paid up registered securities of any description except securities of a company limited by guarantee or an unlimited company. Shares which are not fully paid up must be transferred in accordance with the old procedure.

In this article important advice is given regarding the modernisation and simplifica tion of Accounting and Recording methods in Solicitors' offices. However, any Solicitor who is contemplating modification and altera tion should avail of the opportunity to examine stationery and methods designed by specialists in the field of form design. A frank consultation with an expert in modern Accounting procedures, who can apply the forms to the problems of a particular office is an asset to a busy Solicitor. In addition, where a new system is adopted, it is essential that staff are trained in its use, and the procedures fully explained by a competent demonstrator. Interesting specimen records are available for inspection from the Business Forms Library, and the service described is available free, and entirely without obligation, upon application to : DAVID MILLARD LTD., 19 Westland Row, Dublin 2. Tel.: 67256/7/8 many cashiers who consider that the introduction of such a machine reflects adversely on their capabilities. This is not so, and to reject a machine which eases the burden of calculation in the cash office is as foolish as using a quill pen in preference to a •typewriter for drafting. The cashier who can add up three columns at a time as quickly as an average person can read one of them is very rare indeed. Yet many machines are available which do so with complete accuracy and it is a waste of time and energy if one is not used. Such a machine can cost less than £40. A simple modern system designed to replace an existing' conventional system will be much more easily understood than a system which uses an unnecessarily large number of books. Thus, the loss of the cashier, either because he leaves the firm or falls ill, need no longer be a major catastrophe. Nearly all the advantages of machine accounting can be achieved by carbon-copy ledger-posting systems at a fraction of the capital cost of mechanisa tion. The hand-written system described here can be installed for less than £100. Moreover, the day- to-day running costs of modern accounting systems are considerably less than those of conventional Finally, if the possibility of error is to be reduced to a minimum an add/listing machine must be brought into use in the cash office. There are