Oct. 29.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3045

Nothing in these regulations shall prevent any Purchasing Department or Supplies and Tenders Committee from procuring stores direct from a manufacturer or through his agent when there is no better alternative source of supply.

15. Function of District Supplies and Tenders Committees.

District Supplies and Tenders Committees (except at Wellington) shall represent the Board at the places where they have been constituted but they shall operate only in regard to local purchases to an extent and value permitted by the Department requiring the stores or as directed by the Board, and in every case the District Supplies and Tenders Committee must be satisfied that the expenditure proposed is approved by the Department concerned.

After receipt and consideration of tenders or quotations the District Supplies and Tenders Committee shall (unless otherwise directed) advise the district representative of the Permanent Head of the Department for whom purchases are to be made which tender has been accepted, and such district representative shall then complete the purchase accordingly and in conformity with the regulations or instructions of his Department.

The District Supplies and Tenders Committee shall represent to the Advisory Committee any case coming within the knowledge of the Committee where stores are not being procured to the best advantage or the Board's policy or directions are not being given effect to, or in respect to any other matters relative to the supply of stores.

District Supplies and Tenders Committees shall be appointed at Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Greymouth, and such other places as the Board may direct.

16. General.

(a.) Any Department having surplus stocks available must immediately furnish full particulars of the same to the Board.

(b.) The Board may require any Department holding stocks to transfer the same for the use of other Departments. In the event of the two Departments concerned not agreeing as to price the same shall be determined by the Board.

(c.) Any Department becoming aware that stores are available for purchase at prices below market rates or at specially favourable rates or terms must immediately notify the Board.

(d.) It shall be the duty of all Departments to report any unsatisfactory contractor to the Board.

(e.) The Board may disqualify from tendering or quoting, for any period it may consider desirable or necessary, any person, firm, or company found to have been guilty of any default in carrying out a contract or who may be for any other reason considered ineligible.

(f.) The Board may, in its discretion, grant exemption either wholly or in part from compliance with the procedure herein required or hereafter directed by the Board.

17. Purchase of Stores in Case of Extreme Emergency.

Notwithstanding the provisions of these regulations, in cases of extreme urgency the Permanent Head of any Department may authorize the purchase of stores to a value sufficient to cope with the particular emergency, but every such case shall be reported by the Department making the purchase to the relative Supplies and Tenders Committee:

Provided that if any condition shall arise whereby the officer in charge of any works is unable to communicate with the Permanent Head of his Department or the relative District Supplies and Tenders Committee, he may purchase sufficient stores to cover the emergency, reporting immediately all particulars to the Permanent Head; but it must be distinctly understood that this course is only to be adopted in cases where approval cannot be obtained within sufficient time to meet the emergency, and that such purchase is limited to the immediate necessary requirements.

Any officer purchasing stores under this regulation must satisfy himself that the price paid for such stores is the fair market price at the time and place when and where the purchase was made. Any loss resulting from neglect of this precaution may render the person responsible liable to surcharge under the provisions of section 65 of the Public Revenues Act, 1910, and its amendments.

C. A. JEFFERY,
Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.

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