Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1945 > Committee of Public Accounts > Interim and Final Report - Appropriation Accounts 1942 - 1943

APPENDIX VI.

MACHINES FOR PRODUCTION OF POSTAGE STAMPS.

Two machines forming one unit, specially designed for the production of postage stamps in continuous rolls for sale in the vending machines of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, were made in the London factory of a French engineering concern, Messrs. Chambon Ltd. The machines were ordered in May, 1938. One was delivered in January, 1939, and the other, the principal one, early in September, 1939. It was stipulated in the contract that Messrs. Chambon would erect the machines and leave them in running order, but the outbreak of war a few days after the delivery of the second machine prevented Messrs. Chambon from carrying out their obligations. The machines were set up by our technical staff, but the rolls of stamps produced were not entirely satisfactory and it was not considered advisable to attempt any adjustment of the detailed mechanism in the absence of the makers’ expert. It was not until August, 1943, that Messrs. Chambon were in a position to send over one of their skilled men, when it was found that the machines required certain important alterations and adjustments which were carried out temporarily in our workshops by Messrs. Chambon’s engineer and resulted in the production of satisfactory rolls of stamps. It was then arranged that Messrs. Chambon should supply the properly finished and permanent parts which their engineer had found necessary. Again, through pressure of war work, delivery of these parts has been delayed but it is expected that they will reach us before the end of this year.

The Department of Finance sanctioned the expenditure of £2,360 on the machines. Sums amounting to £2,114 14s. have already been paid.

Messrs. Chambon is a company of the highest reputation with whom we had very satisfactory dealings over a number of years. There is no doubt that the delay in putting the machines in order is entirely due to very difficult circumstances arising out of the war.

(Signed), T. CLEARY,

Revenue Commissioners.