1288
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 52

mustered as gunners, drivers, or sappers, and if not so qualified,
shall be discharged on reaching that age.

All intending recruits must produce evidence that they have
passed the Fourth Standard of education or the equivalent thereto.

241. A recruit shall be on probation for his first six months'
     service, and during that period must pass an examination in drills,
     on the result of which his final acceptance for the service shall
     depend.

242. A probationer gunner or sapper on being finally accepted
     for the service shall be rated as second-class gunner or second-class
     sapper.

243. Every recruit shall, on enlistment, sign and take the oath
     of allegiance.

244. Every member of the Permanent Force shall serve for a
     period of eight years from the time of his enrolment, subject to the
     following provisions:—

(1.) At the expiration of five years' service he shall be enrolled
in a reserve list, and shall serve in the reserve for the
remainder of such period of eight years.

(2.) Every member enrolled in such reserve list shall be liable
during the remainder of his term of service to be called on
at any time to rejoin the Force for duty.

(3.) Every member may, at the expiration of five years' service,
if of good character, be allowed to continue in active
service for a period of sixteen years, and may obtain his
discharge on giving three months' previous notice.

PROMOTION OF MEN AND N.C.Os. OF PERMANENT FORCE.

245. All recruits must, within six months of their enlistment,
     pass an examination in drill, after which they shall be rated and paid
     as second-class gunners or sappers.

246. An examination for first-class gunners or sappers shall be
     held yearly, and those second-class gunners or sappers who pass
     such examination may be promoted by the O.C.P.F. to first-class
     gunners or sappers as vacancies occur. All first-class gunners or
     sappers must pass the requisite examination each year; if they fail
     to do so they shall be reduced to second-class gunners or sappers.
     Gunners or sappers employed at their respective trades shall be
     rated as first-class gunners or sappers without passing the above
     examination.

247. Examination papers shall be set by O.C.P.F., and examinations may be held as often as he may think fit. The above examination shall be carried out on the same date by the O.C.P.F or O.C. detachment, in the latter case the results being forwarded to O.C.P.F.

248. All promotions to and in non-commissioned rank shall be made by the Commandant on the recommendation of the O.C.P.F., and in making such recommendation seniority and the result of examination shall be taken into consideration, and the N.C.O. or man, though junior in length of service, having twenty more marks than the one being senior, and being otherwise qualified and eligible, and having had no entry on his defaulter sheet for two years, shall be recommended for the first vacancy in higher rank. N.C.Os. or men shall only be permitted to sit for one grade above their then present rank. Papers for examination on promotion shall be set by the O.C.P.F., and examinations held where he may think fit. No promotion shall be made unless the necessary examination has first been passed, and any promotion may be annulled by the Minister.

249. Os.C. detachments shall recommend direct to O.C.P.F. men who are qualified and fitted for promotion, and the O.C.P.F. shall report to the Commandant, who shall recommend to the Minister.

250. The O.C.P.F. shall report any N.C.O. for incompetence to the Commandant, who may reduce the said N.C.O. for being incompetent.

DISCHARGES FROM PERMANENT FORCE.

251. The maximum term for which a member can continue to serve in the Permanent Force or the reserve is thirty years, after the completion of which he shall be discharged.

252. Every member may obtain his discharge at his own request at any time during the first three years on payment