JUNE 1.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1281

157. Each Volunteer shall take the oath of allegiance. A solemn affirmation to the same effect as the oath may be made where a person objects to take an oath. Such oath or affirmation must be taken before a Justice of the Peace, or an officer of the permanent staff, or other commissioned officer of the Volunteer Force appointed by the O.C. the district to perform such duty.

158. The term of service for which a Volunteer enrolls is three years.

159. No member of one unit shall be enrolled in another until he has legally ceased to be a member of his former unit.

160. Persons desirous of joining the Volunteer Force must submit their names to the O.C. the company they wish to enter, for his approval, and must give him the following particulars: Name in full, age, height, chest measurement, occupation and address, and previous military service, if any.

161. Enrolments may take place at any time, but men enrolled during the last three months of the Volunteer year shall not count towards the strength of unit or company for capitation for the current year.

162. A Volunteer who wishes to be transferred to another company or unit shall apply to his own O.C., who, if he approves of the transfer, shall communicate with the O.C. the company or unit to which the Volunteer wishes to be transferred. If the latter officer consents to receive the Volunteer the transfer shall be carried out without reference to higher authority, and the transfer form sent to the district office in order that it may be noted in the muster-roll.

163. On transfer, Volunteers shall be allowed to count drills performed with their old company or unit towards efficiency with their new company or unit. An O.C. a company or unit may, if he thinks fit, refuse any transfer.

164. N.C.Os., in accordance with the establishment laid down, shall be appointed by the O.C. the unit.

N.C.Os. VOLUNTEERS.

165. Lance-corporals of Volunteers, not exceeding two to each company, except in special circumstances, may be appointed by the O.C. the company where the duties so require; in Artillery, acting-bombardiers, not exceeding two per battery or company, except in special circumstances, shall be allowed out of the establishment of gunners or drivers.

166. In Artillery, Engineers, and Field Hospital and Bearer companies, all candidates for promotion to N.C.O. rank must have qualified for an efficiency badge, as hereinafter laid down, at the time of their promotion.

167. N.C.Os. must pass the prescribed examination within six months of their appointment.

168. Should a candidate fail to pass, his appointment shall lapse, and he shall not be eligible for reappointment for a period of twelve months.

169. A N.C.O. may be at any time deprived of his rank for incapacity or misconduct by the O.C. the District to which he belongs, who shall report such reduction to the Commandant.

170. N.C.Os. of Volunteer cadet companies shall be appointed or reduced as provided in Cadet Regulations.

DISCHARGES OF VOLUNTEERS.

171. Except when on actual military service, any Volunteer may, after serving two years of his then current term of service, quit his company or unit on complying with the following conditions, viz.:

(a.) Giving to the O.C. his company or unit three months’ notice in writing of his intention to quit the company or unit, such notice to terminate during the months of January or July of each year. But any Volunteer who may desire his discharge for the purpose of leaving a district, or the colony, shall be entitled to receive the same upon giving one fortnight’s notice, and fulfilling the conditions hereinafter provided. But should any unit or company be called out for actual service, all persons then on the roll of such unit or company shall be liable to serve whether they shall have given such notice or not:

(b.) Delivering up in good order, fair wear-and-tear only excepted, all arms, clothing, and appointments, being