APRIL 3.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1125

with impressions of the dials and keys of the machine to be issued,
are forwarded to the Chief Postmaster or Postmaster, as the case
may be, of the place where the machine is to be installed. Each
die has a distinctive mark and number, and the engraver marks
against each impression the peculiarity of each die. It is very
important that these impressions be carefully kept, as they serve
as a check on the impressions on letters or telegrams. The keys
of the machine must be kept in safe custody by the Chief Post-
master or Postmaster. They should only be used when it is found
necessary to repair damage to the machine. The seal is to be
broken only by a responsible postal officer deputed for the pur-
pose by the Chief Postmaster or Postmaster. When an old
machine is removed for repairs which necessitates its being sent
to the factory, the readings of the dials must be carefully taken,
and the amount due up to the date of removal collected from the
owner. If the machine is to be reinstalled the dials will be set at
zero before the machine leaves the factory. When it is found neces-
sary to remove a machine for repairs which are to be effected
locally a postal officer will attend and take a reading of the dials,
but in this case the amount will not be collected from the owner
at the time. When the machine is reinstalled care must be taken
to see that the dials record the amount shown by the reading when
the machine was removed, and the slip showing the reading should
be superscribed, ‘Machine reinstalled and resealed on [Date], dials
reading same as when machine removed.’ This certificate is to be
initialled by the officers concerned, and duly filed by the Chief Post-
master or Postmaster. The final readings of the dials should be
compared with the book record. The readings from the old machine
should be shown in the cash-book. Machines should be affixed to
counter or desk, &c., by means of screws from the outside instead
of the inside of the machines, thus obviating the necessity of
opening them on installation.

415. Clearing Machines.—At the end of each accounting-
period an experienced officer should be deputed to read the dials
and make the collections. Collections must be made imme-
diately after the close of each period, and no credit must be al-
lowed to extend beyond the proper period. The officer making
the collection must use the forms provided for the purpose, and
on returning to the office must at once enter in the cash-book
the amount of the various sums collected, also the reading of
the dials. It is very important that the reading of the dials
be recorded in the cash-book, as the figures will be required when
next preparing the receipts for the following period’s collections.
It will also act as a check on the amounts recorded. Stamps to
the value of the amount collected must be affixed to the forms
provided for the purpose, and duly cancelled. The document
should then be forwarded to the Chief Accountant, General Post
Office, supported by form Acct. 142.

416. Refunds for Impressions taken in Error.—Refunds will
be made at the end of each quarter for the value of the impres-
sions taken in error. Impressions inadvertently affixed to tele-
graph forms may be refunded upon providing the upper portion
of the form, consisting of not less than one-third of the whole, is
produced, and that the number shown in the impression corre-
sponds with the number of the machine owned by the person
claiming the refund. The usual 5-per-cent. commission collected
from the public on stamps repurchased will be charged. (See
Rule 392.) The impressions must be quite legible, and the whole
documents on which the impressions are made must be attached
to the receipt taken for the refunds. Cut-out or indistinct im-
pressions will not be refunded on.

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