APRIL 3.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1119

the Workers’ Compensation Act, and should obtain from the con-
tractor a written assurance to that effect. Such insurance should
be effected in the Government Insurance Department or some re-
putable insurance company. The Government Insurance Depart-
ment has decided that where cover for mail-carrying is required
the employer should take out a policy over his whole wage-sheet,
the premium being charged at the rate for the particular trade
or business to be covered. The current rates on this basis are as
follows: Coach-proprietors, £1 2s. per cent.; carters and carriers
£1 18s. 6d. per cent. For water transit, special rates will be
quoted on application to the Government Insurance Department.
Contractors are to be informed of the rates.

372. A Postmaster must require the strictest regularity in
the running of mail-services, and make a special report when the
loss of time is serious or frequent. In case of very severe weather,
information respecting the state of the roads, rivers, &c., re-
quired by a mail contractor to assist him in carrying out his con-
tract, is to be given by Postmasters promptly and without charge
for telegrams, &c.

373. No mail contractor, or other person employed in the
conveyance of mails, may convey a letter from one place to
another except for the purpose of posting it at a post-office, or,
when received from a post-office, for the purpose of delivering it
on the line of route. All letters so conveyed are liable to postage,
and if not prepaid must be charged double the deficient postage.
Mail-carriers are not allowed to make any charge beyond the
postage for conveying letters handed to them for posting by settlers
at a distance of more than one mile from a post-office. Mail con-
tractors on rural deliveries may accept letters for delivery en
route, provided the postage is fully prepaid. To enable them to
cancel the stamps, they will be supplied with ink-pencils by Chief
Postmasters. This rule applies also to letters posted on board
steamers and delivered on the voyage at places where there is no
post-office.

374. To obviate the necessity of mail-coach drivers giving
up control of their horses whilst receiving or delivering mails, it
is the wish of the Postmaster-General that Postmasters meet the
coaches and deliver to and receive from the drivers all mails,
except at starting and terminal offices, railway-stations, and
wherever there is a change of horses.

375. Mail contractors are entitled to the payment of £1 per
annum for every private bag conveyed along their line of route, the
authority of the Secretary for such payment being first obtained.

376. Full particulars of all mail-services in each postal
district are to be entered in the Mail-service Register. All-
applications for transfer must be forwarded to the Inspector of
Post-offices. Contributions agreed to be made to the Department
towards the cost of mail-services must be claimed immediately they
become due, and the Secretary advised as soon as payment has
been made or is in default. County Councils are not legally able
to contribute towards the cost of mail-services out of their funds.
The question of obtaining contributions from County Councils is
not, therefore, to be considered in connection with the cost of
mail-services.

377. It is for a contractor to prepare a proper deed of as-
signment of his contract and to get it completed, subject to the
approval of the Department. The form of assignment given on
the back of the bond is only intended to provide for simple trans-
actions. For a second assignment form P.O. 361 is to be used.
The Department is not to be expected to supply forms for every
contingency or change of circumstances that may arise. It is not