Dec. 6.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3171

warrants. Care is to be taken to select the most economical routes compatible with the interests of the Service. Full details of the duty should be shown on the route order (Form S. 542).

(NOTE.—The above does not apply to recruits or ratings discharged to the shore and paid subsistence prior to discharge.)

2. Claims for Repayment.—On the same form that contains the route order the officer or man is to make out his claim for repayment of expenses incurred. No payment of expenses will be made unless a route order is produced or a satisfactory explanation of its absence given when a claim is preferred. In the case of parties travelling together, the names and ranks or ratings of all the officers and men are to be given on the route order on which payment is to be made.

3. Payment of Claims.—All claims for travelling-expenses are to be carefully examined by the Accountant Officer, who is to ensure that the information required by the regulations is included in the claim. Where the journey for which expenses are claimed is confined to travelling in New Zealand, and no doubt exists, the claim may be settled by the Accountant Officer on the approval of the Commanding Officer. In all other cases the claim, supported by receipts, &c., is to be forwarded to the Naval Secretary for Board approval prior to settlement. If necessary an advance may be made to the extent of that portion of the claim respecting which there is no doubt.

4. Absentees and Men from Leave.—In the cases of men and boys forwarded to their ships in consequence of having been absent without leave when their ship sailed, or specially granted travelling-warrants to enable them to return from leave of absence, the actual cost of their conveyance by rail or steamship is to be recovered from them; other incidental travelling-expenses, including the expenses of any escort, are chargeable against public funds. (Vide Article 193 re deserters and absentees brought on board by members of the New Zealand Police Force.)

5. Gratuities, Porterage, Wharfage, &c.—Gratuities to stewards and servants will not be allowed. Payments for porterage must be disbursed out of daily subsistence allowance in cases where an allowance is received. The term “porterage” means the cost of employment of a porter to handle luggage at a wharf, hotel, railway-station, or other point of embarkation or disembarkation of a journey. The hire of a conveyance to remove such luggage to its destination is not regarded as porterage; but the hire of an additional means of personal transport for the same journey will not be allowed.

6. Wharfage on uniform should not be paid. Should claims be made by Harbour Board authorities the Officers or men should request that any claim of this nature be referred to Navy Office.

7. Insurance and Warehousing.—Charges for insurance and warehousing of the private effects of officers and ratings are inadmissible.

8. Allowances for the Use of Private Motor-cars.—For official journeys which are necessarily made by privately owned motor-vehicles owing to the urgent circumstances of the duty rendering the use of such a vehicle essential, or because rail or other services are not available, allowances will be payable at the rates laid down from time to time in Navy Orders. Payment of the allowance in each case will be subject to the prior approval of the Naval Board for the use of the privately owned motor-vehicles on the public service.

9. Travelling-expenses on Discharge.—Men and boys dismissed or finally discharged from the service for any other cause than by purchase or at their own request are to be furnished with travelling-warrants to convey them to their homes in New Zealand, provided there is no opportunity of sending them in Government vessels. Journeys by service car will not generally be paid from public funds, but where such journeys are necessary in New Zealand through the lack of rail or steamer facilities an allowance equivalent to a single second-class rail fare will be allowed for the portion of the journey unserved by rail or steamer.

10. When too ill to walk.—In the case of invalids who are so ill as to be unable to walk, any necessary cab-hire, both between railway-stations and from hospital to station or station to home, will be allowed.

11. Discharge from Civil Prisons.—Naval ratings and Royal Marines sentenced or ordered to be discharged from the Service on release from imprisonment (not imprisonment in lieu of detention) in Civil prisons will not be entitled to conveyance to their homes or elsewhere at the cost of Naval funds, the arrangements on discharge being left to the prison authorities.