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Editor: I believe that the following
circular is genuine, I've seen the signed version that was copied to HQ. The
below copy is accurate including spelling mistakes, punctuation, grammar, etc.
but names and locations have been concealed (XXXX) to protect the
"living". Note the date, this at a stage where most outstations
had been localised so the below circular could only, at best be described as
insensitive, condescension exemplified.
DEPARTMENT
OF DECENTRALISATION
XXXX
SUB-DISTRICT OFFICE
P.O.
BOX XXXX XXXX, XXXXX.
Date:
16th June, 1978
The
Officer-In-Charge
XXXXX
XXXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXXX
XXXXXX.
ACCOMODATION
OF DOIC ON STATION INSPECTION
It
should not be necessary for me to remind you that the Government provides K10
per day to accomodate and feed the DOIC.
Some
Outstation OICs think that feeding the DOIC means providing a heap of taro or
rice, and a tin of issue - type fish or meat:- and nothing else. This rubbish
costs no more than 50t all up leaving a profit some K9.50 to the OIC.
As from today, I expect and demand to be fed adaquately by all OICs on all
stations. Failure to comply will be among other things mean that no
accomodation warrant will be issued.
For
those that are competent enough to keep their refrigerators operational, the
following will comprise the DOIC's Menu:
BREAKFAST
2
fried eggs
2
slices bacon
1
sliced fried tomato (if available)
2
slices toast
1
glass of fruit juice
Coffee.
LUNCH
1
piece steak OR
3
sausages OR
3
lamb chops.
Mashed
English potatoes OR fried chipped potatoes
fried
onions
freezer
peas OR beans
tomatoes
OR small tin mushrooms
bread
and butter
fruit
juice
Coffee.
DINNER
Similar
to LUNCH.
Tinned
food may be substituted when fresh food is unavailable.
As
a fortnight to three weeks notice is always given of a Station Inspection,
this will be sufficient time to get in supplies of food. The amount that is
ordered will naturally be dependant on the length of the projected Inspection.
Do
not forget to order also:
Beef
dripping or peanut oil (to cook eggs, chips, and fry meat etc)
Bread
(to be put in freezer until needed - it will keep there for two or three
weeks).
Curry
Powder
Butter
Tinned
powdered milk
Tomato
Sauce
Salt
Pepper
Coffee
Sugar
Potatoes
Onions
For
those who do not know how to operate their refrigerators, or to order
replacements for those units that are U/S, the following shall comprise the
DOIC's Menu:
BREAKFAST
Tinned
sausages
Fried
onions
Chipped
potatoes (English)
Tinned
tomatoes
Tinned
fruit juice
Toast
Coffee.
LUNCH
Tinned
corned beef OR tinned steak and kidney pie, OR tinned sausages.
Fried
onions
Mashed
English potatoes OR chipped potatoes
Tinned
peas OR beans.
Tinned
tomatoes OR tinned mushrooms
Tinned
soup to be optimal
Bread
(or dry biscuits)
Tinned
butter
Tinned
gruit juice
Coffee.
DINNER
Similar
to LUNCH.
Boiled
rice, kaukau, or taro only be served in extreme emergency, and an
explanation will be required if any of these substances are served.
The
tinned food OICs must not forget also:
Curry
powder
Tinned
powdered milk
Tomato
Sauce
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Potatoes
Onions
Tinned
butter
Bread
(or dry biscuits)
Cooking
oil.
I
suggest that all OICs set about ordering their supples NOW, so that
adaquate stocks are always on hand. Freezer meats can be ordered 2 weeks
beforehand to co-incide with the DOICs arrival.
Advantage
should be taken of future visits to XXXXX to purchase supplies. Alternatively,
money can be sent to the stores in a Registered letter, or an account can be
opened up as one of the stores, or as a last resort XXXX the office
typist can purchase last minute URGENT supplies. I do not expect that any of
you will incompetent enough to use XXX, however.
The
DOIC will NOT purchase and bring out feed supplies - that defeats the
whole purpose of the exercise - it is up to YOU to feed him with what you have
on hand.
The
food that you order for the DOIC is NOT to be wasted on other visitors:
nor are you to fritter it away by eating it yourself while waiting for the
DOIC to arrive.
The
DOIC will only be too happy to show OICs or their wifes how to cook the food,
and he is quite prepared to cook it himself if necessary.
I
require that the standard of meals to improve considerably in future.
Please
comply.
signed:
X.X.
XXXXXX.
District
Officer-In-Charge.