35

JEL—I9

25. Equipment Regulations. Immediate revision of equipment regulations or tables for each unit is necessary, as authority for free issue or for local purchase. 26. Balances. Where annual free issue is made, such as ammunition, pull-throughs, &c, the balance on hand with unit to be stated, and issues current year. 27. Deficiencies at Camps. Sufficient time should be allowed on last day of camp to enable return of camp equipment and ordnance stores on issue to be properly made, checked, and deficiencies to be traced to the unit. The proper issue and return of camp equipment and ordnance stores is as important as drill or training. Q.M.G. (4) War Accounts and Expeditionary Force. 28. Expeditionary Force. (Not directly represented in each, district; any inquiries on allotments, pay, &c, of Expeditionary Force received in District Office should be referred direct to Q.M.G. (4) at Headquarters.) This division has been set up to deal with the extra expenditure incurred by the war. 29. War Account. By the Public; Revenues Amendment Act, 1914, a new account lias been opened called " War Expenses Account," to which war expenditure is charged without any further appropriation than is contained in the Act. These expenses are being kept under two main heads (I.) Home defence to which are charged precautionary measures, mobilization and manning of forts, guards for wireless stations, censors, examination steamers, and patrol of harbours, &c. (2.) Expeditionary—to which are charged all the expenses of the Expeditionary Force and reinforcements pay, equipment, horses, concentration camps, transport, &c. Vouchers should be distinctly marked according to the heading to which they belong, and also whether the expenditure relates to Advance Party (Samoa), to M!ain Body, or to reinforcements. 30. Allotments. Allotments of pay : Warrants are prepared every month, and posted, if possible, on the last day of the month. Allotment-cards and pay-ledgers are kept in alphabetical order so that inquiries can be promptly attended to. Authority has been given to vary allotment orders or issue deferred pay without allotment orders in urgent cases of necessity', and eveiy effort is made to help dependants who are left in poor circumstances. Patriotic committees are able to render much assistance in this connection by making inquiries and obtaining confirmatory evidence where necessary. Principal Veterinary Officer in Districts. 31. Horses. Purchase and control of remounts in peace and war, registration and classification of horses suitable for all classes of transport and gun work in conjunction with A.D.S.T. 32. Remount Depot. Formation of, or schemes for formation of, remount depots in war or on mobilization, in conference with the A.Q.M.G. 33. Inspection. Inspection of all military stables and horses. 34. Compensation. To advise on all claims for compensation for injury or death to horses and animals before payment is made. 35. Training. Organization and training of the Veterinary Corps ; revision of scale of forage and horse requirements for camps ; usual duties at camps.