2916
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 115

278. All members of the mounted Force must be particular to see that their saddles are carefully fitted to the horses’ backs; and the officers in charge of districts shall hold the men accountable for horses in their charge having sore backs or girth-galls (which in most cases are caused by hard riding or inattention in not seeing that the saddles are properly fitted); as well as for any other injuries which could have been prevented by attention.

279. No troop-horse shall be used in harness unless authorized by the Commissioner, nor ridden in any race or competition.

280. Police horses must not be ridden, unless under special authority, by any other person than a member of the Force.

281. Police horses requiring a rest should be turned out when authorized by the officer in charge of the district. Horses worn out or unfit for service shall be examined and reported upon to the Commissioner, who shall decide how they are to be disposed of.

282. As a rule, Police horses should be shod once a month, but not oftener, unless in cases of lameness. The best farrier should always be employed, even if his charge is higher than others.

283. Forage shall be purchased at those stations for which it is allowed at the lowest price consistent with quality.

284. No forage shall be purchased on behalf of the Department without the authority of the officer in charge of the district, to whom application must be made.

Prices shall be obtained from two or more local dealers, and, when submitting them, the member of the Force doing so shall report upon the quality of the forage kept by each, so that the best quality, consistent with economy, may be purchased.

285. When forage is delivered at any station the net weight must be ascertained, and the receipt signed for that quantity, for which the officer in charge who signs the receipt will, in his issues, be held responsible.

286. If a station is under the charge of a subordinate member of the Force he shall permit no one but himself to issue forage when at the station; at large stations one Constable only shall be authorized to have charge, issue, and keep the account.

287. When a fresh supply of forage is received at a station it must not be issued until the old stock is consumed.

288. The Police at every station shall exert themselves to ensure the supplies being stored in such a manner as to prevent any injury through the effects of weather or other causes; and should any damage or loss occur the strictest investigation must be made, and the party who, from negligence or other fault, allowed the same to take place will be held personally responsible.

289. When forage is issued for any horses other than those belonging to the station, particulars of the quantity of forage drawn, the officer’s name, and on what duty engaged, shall be inserted in the Forage Return Book.

290. Forage-books must be entered up daily. A copy of the entries shall be forwarded monthly to district headquarters for transmission to the office of the Commissioner. These returns must be checked in the district offices, and care taken that all forage purchased is accounted for therein.

291. On the charge of any station being transferred from one member of the Force to another, the forage in store must be weighed, receipts given for the actual weight, and any deficiency or surplus noted in the monthly forage returns.

292. The regulation scale of a daily ration will be 10 lb. of oats, 1 lb. of bran, 14 lb. of hay or chaff, and 8 lb. of straw for bedding.

This scale is only intended for horses at stations where there is no paddock, and for horses in constant work.

At stations where a grass paddock is available it must be utilized as much as possible, and the scale of ration reduced accordingly.

293. In the summer months, from the 1st November to the 31st May, when grass-feed is plentiful and obtainable, half-rations should be sufficient, but officers in charge of districts shall use their discretion in the matter as regards the period when reduced rations only will be allowed.

294. Members of the Force may, with the consent of the Commissioner, provide their own horses for Police duty, either for a fixed sum per annum to be determined by the Commissioner, or for forage and shoeing provided by the Department. They will be expected to supply a horse that meets the approval of the officer in charge.

295. No member of the Force shall be allowed to forage and use a private horse in the discharge of his duty without first obtaining authority to do so.

296. At stations where there is not sufficient mounted work to justify a troop-horse being kept horses shall be hired, when required, from local stables, and special arrangements made with the livery-stable keeper as to the charge.

It will be found as a rule that if horses are hired from one stable only the charge will be less than if hired from different stables as required, but to avoid any jealousy it will be advisable to obtain prices from the different stables at per day or half-day, and submit same for approval.

Hours of Duty.

297. The hours of duty in towns where regular beat duty is performed shall be fixed by the Commissioner from time to time by circular.

298. At country stations where only one or two men are stationed the hours of duty must be arranged by the member of the Force in charge, subject to approval by the officer in charge of the district.

House Allowance.

299. In cases where married members of the Force, widowers with children, and unmarried Constables are not provided with free quarters, house allowance may be granted them according to the scale laid down by circular. Any unmarried member of the Force who is the sole support of his mother, and who is residing with her out of barracks with the permission of the Commissioner, may also be granted house allowance on the approval of the Commissioner being first obtained in that behalf. A married man residing in barracks shall not be paid house allowance without the approval of the Commissioner, who may in exceptional cases grant an allowance if satisfied that such man is supporting his wife and family in a proper manner, and for some good reason is unable to remove them to the place where he is stationed. No man whose wife is not a resident of New Zealand shall be granted house allowance.

Influence, Use of.

300. Members of the Force are strictly prohibited from communicating, either directly or indirectly, with members of Parliament or of the Legislative Council, public bodies, or private individuals, with