(c.) Public offices must be properly supplied with pens,
ink, and blotting-paper, and the necessary postal and telegraph
forms. Only forms which are for immediate use, and are
intended to be issued to the public, are to be supplied. Official
envelopes are not to be issued. Ink-bottles must be frequently
washed, and the ink kept fluid. Whenever a sheet requires to
be removed from a blotting-pad a knife should be run underneath
the edges of the sheet, in order to keep the pad tidy
and obviate its coming to pieces.

BUILDINGS AND FITTINGS.

26. The Department provides the buildings and fittings for
    all offices at which post-office and telegraph or telephone business
    is conducted by its own permanent officers; but at all offices
    in charge of non-permanent officers the necessary accommodation
    must, unless otherwise agreed upon, be provided by the person
    in charge, to the satisfaction of the Minister. At every office
    the words “POST OFFICE,” “TELEGRAPH OFFICE,” “TELEPHONE
    OFFICE,” or “POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE” must be exhibited
    in large and conspicuous characters on the outside of the building.
    The hours during which the office is open must be
    announced prominently on the outside of the building. Noticeplates for the purpose are obtainable from the Stores Manager.

27. A progress report on a new building, structural alterations
    to a building, or maintenance-works of an extensive character, is
    to be furnished once monthly on form P.O. 111. In the case of a
    new building the report is required more frequently as the building
    nears completion.

28. (a.) When it is desired to recommend repairs, &c., in
    departmental buildings, controlling officers are in the first instance
    to confer with the Public Works Engineer for the district,
    and obtain his advice as to what works are really necessary and
    the best method of carrying them out.

(b.) No structural change in a post and telegraph building
or alteration in a power or light circuit is to be undertaken
by the Department’s officers. It is the function of the Public
Works Department to carry out such work, after the necessary
approval has been obtained from the General Post Office. Ordinary
repairs to the electric-lighting system at any office may
be undertaken by the District Telegraph Engineers.

29. When office fittings are applied for, sketch-plans, in
    duplicate, should be forwarded of articles not of a standard
    pattern.

30. Lockers are provided only for officers performing broken
    or night duties, with the exception of postmen, messengers, chauffeurs,
    and other officers who require lockers for the custody of uniform
    and equipment. Officers performing regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. duty
    or a similar duty are not to be provided with lockers.

31. (a.) Offices must be washed out at regular intervals. An
    allowance, when necessary, to be fixed in each case by the Secretary,
    is made for this purpose. No allowance is made in respect
    of railway or non-permanent post-offices. It is the duty of a
    Postmaster or other controlling officer to see that his office is kept
    in a clean and orderly condition. Departmental offices in use are
    to be regularly disinfected by sprinkling floors with a disinfectant,
    to be obtained from the Stores Manager. The disinfectant is to
    be prepared according to formula. Dry dusting and dry sweeping
    are forbidden. By “dry dusting” is meant the act of flicking
    dust into the air by a towel, a feather brush, or other similar
    means. The proper means of removing dust from a surface is to