May 25.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1585

and whether in his opinion it is due to military duty. This procedure will facilitate inquiries as to whether any subsequent treatment should be at public expense.

(b.) An officer or soldier who at any time, except while in camp, considers that he has contracted an illness or sustained an injury as the direct result of his military duty will report to a Medical Officer, where one is available, under para. 659, or otherwise to his usual medical practitioner. Within three days of so reporting he will obtain from the Medical Officer (or medical practitioner, as the case may be), and submit to his Commanding Officer, Area Officer, or Adjutant, a certificate stating the nature of the disability, and whether in the opinion of the Medical Officer such disability is due to military duties. Only in cases where it is subsequently ruled that the disability arose out of duty will the cost of this medical examination and certificate be borne by the public.

652. If in the opinion of the Medical Officer the disability is due to military duty the matter will at once be referred to General Headquarters, through the proper channel, for decision as to whether liability for treatment as a public charge will be accepted. If so accepted, the command concerned will make arrangements with its Assistant-Director of Medical Services for the necessary treatment to be carried out.

653. (a.) In all cases of accidental injury the Medical Officer will complete the certificate on Form N.Z. 207.

(b.) If the injury is described by the Medical Officer as trivial, form N.Z. 207 will be completed by the Territorial Commanding Officer or Permanent officer concerned, and forwarded (together with the medical certificate mentioned in para. 651 (a) or 651 (b), and the evidence of any witnesses) in support of any claims arising out of the injury. It will then rest with the O.C. Command to decide whether a Board of Inquiry is necessary.

(c.) If the injury is described by the Medical Officer as serious and likely to interfere with his future efficiency, a Board of Inquiry will be assembled as soon as possible by the Staff Officer i/c Regimental District (or, if in camp, by the O.C. Troops) concerned. This Board will inquire into the circumstances surrounding the injury, and give an opinion as to whether the injury arose out of duty. If the Medical Officer is not available as a witness, his written statement will be attached to the proceedings. In the event of the Board finding that the injury is due to the gross negligence of the injured person, the cost of medical treatment will not be accepted as a public charge.

(d.) In the following cases also a Board of Inquiry will be held:—

(i.) If the injury is fatal.

(ii.) If in the opinion of the Commanding Officer or permanent officer concerned doubt exists as to the cause of the injury.

(iii.) If in the opinion of the Commanding Officer or permanent officer concerned doubt exists as to whether the injury occurred as the result of duty.

(iv.) If for any reason it is desirable to thoroughly investigate the cause of the injury.

The proceedings of the Board of Inquiry will be forwarded to General Headquarters in duplicate. The duplicate copy will be returned when a decision on the case has been given.

654. Injuries sustained by members of the N.Z. Military Forces whilst taking part in games and sports will be considered as injuries received on duty only when such games or sports are provided for in the authorized physical and recreational training manuals and are carried out in connection with training, or when training in authorized gymnasia is being carried out in accordance with the above manuals as part of the obligatory training and under the direction of a qualified Instructor of the Permanent Forces.

655. Officers concerned will be held personally responsible for any claims for injuries arising out of an accident brought about by any negligence, or by any orders which they may issue in contravention of the procedure laid down in the authorized physical and recreational training-manuals.

656. All vouchers for charges against the public for medical treatment of members of the N.Z. Military Forces will, before being forwarded to General Headquarters, be submitted to the Assistant Director of Medical Services concerned, who, if the charges are in order, will certify to their correctness in the body of the voucher.

657. With reference to paras. 652 and 653, in all cases where treatment at public hospitals is available these institutions must be made use of after the initial visit to or by a medical practitioner or Medical Officer. No claim against the public will be admitted unless this procedure is followed, or unless it is shown that the procedure adopted incurred less cost, or was specially authorized.

658. Medical Boards on members of the N.Z. Military Forces, or civilians doing duty with the Forces, will not be held except on the authority of the Director of Medical Services.

This paragraph does not apply to the examination of candidates for enlistment into the Permanent Forces, Boards for which may be assembled by the Assistant Director of Medical Services in a command.

659. A list of the centres for which Medical Officers are detailed, and the names of such officers, will be published in General Orders.

Special Provision with Regard to Permanent Forces.

660. All members of the Permanent Forces, including military and civilian personnel temporarily attached to or doing duty with the Permanent Forces, will be given medical treatment in accordance with the foregoing paragraphs, and at public expense, for all injuries or illnesses which are directly attributable to official duty.

661. In all cases where military personnel are detached for duty, the officer who gives orders for such detachment will be responsible that the authority temporarily controlling them is advised of the procedure to be followed in the event of medical treatment at public expense being required.

662. Officers and soldiers of the Permanent Forces are liable to stoppages of pay on account of medical attention, as laid down in Financial Instructions and Allowance Regulations.

663. Area Officers, Adjutants, or permanent officers concerned will notify Command Paymasters immediately an individual is placed on sick-leave, whether in hospital or otherwise.

664. In cases of sick-leave, reduction in pay will be made in accordance with Financial Instructions and Allowance Regulations.

Compensation and Pensions.

665. Compensation for officers and other ranks of the Territorial Force and Cadets, on account of disabilities which are found to be attributable to military duty, is granted in accordance with special instructions which are issued from time to time from General Headquarters.

Pensions in respect of the death or disablement of an officer or soldier of the N.Z. Military Forces, by reason of misadventure suffered in the performance of his duties, is governed by section 34, Finance Act, 1926 (vide Appendix VI).

SECTION IX.—MOVEMENTS AND TRAVELLING.

A.—GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

Movements of Troops, &c.

666. No movement of troops or individual officers or soldiers from one command to another shall take place without sanction having been previously obtained from General Headquarters.

Orders for Move.

667. Definite and detailed instructions pertaining to the control, discipline, liabilities, and safety, &c., of troops will be included in the orders issued for any movement of troops by rail, mechanical transport, or sea.

668. Definite instructions forbidding the consumption or possession of alcoholic liquor on any train, vehicle, conveyance, or ship used for the transport of troops will also be included.

Command.

669. An officer, or, where no officer is available, a non-commissioned officer, will be detailed to command in all cases. All independent parties of fifty or upwards will be placed under the command of an officer. When necessary, or where no previous instructions have been received from superior authority, non-commissioned officers or men in the party travelling will be detailed by the officer or non-commissioned officer in charge to assist or take charge of sections.

670. The detailing of non-commissioned officers not actually belonging to the party travelling must be kept at a minimum. This does not prohibit the services of non-commissioned officers travelling at the same time on other duty being utilized.

671. The officer commanding troops travelling by train, mechanical transport, or steamer is responsible that all regulations or orders are complied with, but he will not interfere with the prescribed running of trains or the general working of the railway service.

672. If in any instance no officer has been officially appointed to the command of troops on a train, mechanical transport, or steamer, the senior officer present with the party will take command, and, whether travelling on duty or otherwise, will be responsible for the discipline and control of the troops concerned.

673. In the event of troops from different districts, commands, or camps, &c., joining the same train, mechanical transport, or steamer, the officers or non-commissioned officers in charge of such detachments will immediately report to and place themselves under the orders of the officer detailed to command the troops on board, or of the senior officer, when no officer has been detailed to command.

674. Where it is known that troops from different districts, camps, &c., will proceed by the same train, mechanical transport, or steamer, the authorities directing the movement of respective detachments will nominate the officer or officers who will be in charge throughout the journey.

675. Full use will be made of all Government transport. Hired transport is not to be employed when troops can be carried by Government transport.