MAR. 14.

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

873

125. All removals shall be subject to the following conditions :—
     (a.) Vouchers must be produced for all payments.
     (b.) A member of the Forces shall not be entitled to any compensation from the Government for losses or damage arising from removal.
     (c.) Before the removal is undertaken the member concerned shall, where practicable, obtain offers from at least two carriers, and submit to the Officer Commanding the District, who shall authorize the acceptance of the more suitable, provided that the maximum amount under these regulations is not exceeded.
     (d.) In all cases where military transport is available it must be used.
     (e.) In cases of transfer from one station to another of Mounted officers, or of warrant or non-commissioned officers permanently employed, their horses may also be transferred at the public expense when it is considered to be in the interests of the Defence Forces.

126. In cases where the household furniture of an officer, N.C.O., or man on transfer has not arrived at its destination at the time of his arrival thereat, travelling-allowance may be drawn for a period not exceeding three days if such non-arrival is caused through circumstances beyond the control of the officer, N.C.O., or man.

127. Travelling-allowance will be allowed for the wives of all married officers, N.C.O.s, and men when being transferred. The rate of such travelling-allowance shall be the same as that paid to the officers, N.C.O.'s, or men so transferred, and 3s. per diem shall be allowed for each other member of his family.

Horse, Forage, and Grooming Allowance.

NEW ZEALAND STAFF CORPS, ROYAL NEW ZEALAND ARTILLERY, AND PERMANENT STAFF.

128. Brigade-Majors, Adjutants, and Area N.C.O.s of the Permanent Staff, with the exception of N.C.O.s in the large towns, shall be allowed forage allowance if they keep horses for the public service.

129. Officers shall provide their own horses, but a N.C.O. shall, where necessary, be allowed a sum not exceeding £18 with which to buy a horse. Such horse shall be the property of the Department, and passed by the Government Veterinary Officer.

130. An allowance at the rate of £30 per annum shall be allowed to each officer and N.C.O. who is required to keep a horse, for the upkeep of the same.

131. All horses which belong to the Government will be inspected annually by a Government Veterinary Officer and branded, and a proper register kept by the Quartermaster-General.

132. In the event of an officer's or N.C.O.'s horse being injured, or dying, otherwise than in camp, the case must be immediately reported on, and a Board held ; and if a recommendation is made by the Officer Commanding the District, an amount not exceeding £18 shall be allowed to purchase another horse.

133. Either a forage allowance of 1s. 6d. per diem or a free issue of forage in kind may be drawn by Mounted officers and Sergeant-major Instructors who have horses while in camp. A grooming-allowance of 1s. 6d. a day may also be drawn by Mounted officers while in camp.

Bicycle Allowance.

134. Officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps and N.C.O.s of the Permanent Staff may, where it is found more economical, use bicycles in lieu of horses. The cost of such bicycles shall, on the approval of Headquarters, become a charge against the Department, and an allowance not exceeding £3 per annum shall be allowed for upkeep of same. Officers Commanding Districts will requisition for all bicycles to Headquarters, Wellington.

Allowances for Use of Private Motor Vehicles.

135. Officers and others using their own motor vehicles on public journeys may draw the allowances hereinafter authorized in all cases where conveyance is admissible, provided that the total charge is not more than it would have been if the journey had been made by ordinary means of conveyance.

136. No expenses in connection with injuries or damage caused to or by a privately owned vehicle, when used on the public service, shall be admitted as a charge against the department. Officers should protect themselves by insurance when possible, but the cost of such insurance will not be admissible as a charge against the department.

137. In cases in which these allowances amount to more than the cost by ordinary means of conveyance, they may be drawn if approved by the C.O.C. on either of the following grounds :—
     (a.) That the employment of the motor vehicle enabled duties to be carried out which could not have been satisfactorily performed by other means—e.g., Staff rides ;
     (b.) That the gain in time consequent on the use of the motor vehicle justified the extra expense.
     In all cases the use of the motor-vehicle must be approved by the O.C. District prior to its employment at the public expense.

138. It is to be noted that as the rates for motor-cars are based on the size of the car, and not on the number of persons carried on duty in it, the use of a larger car entails additional expense, and it is the duty of officers to utilize in the case of journeys of one or two individuals a smaller car when available in preference to a larger one.

139. When a motor vehicle has to be brought from one officer's station to the point at which its employment on service is to commence, mileage rates will be admissible for this journey. In the case of a motor bicycle or tricycle actually conveyed by passenger train, the cost of such conveyance may be granted in lieu of mileage rates.