JUNE 1.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1311

(vi.) A N.C.O. convicted of a misdemeanour and reduced to the ranks, or to a lower grade, for any offence for which he would not necessarily have been tried as a private, shall, if his conduct has been good for a continuous period of five years from the date of such reduction, not be precluded by such reduction from receiving the medal referred to in the first paragraph hereof.

(vii.) Members awarded the “Meritorious Service” medal, and the “Long Service and Good Conduct” medal, may wear both medals.

(viii.) When the conduct of a member who has earned the medal for “Long Service and Good Conduct” has, after the award of the medal, been such as to disqualify him from wearing the medal, it it shall be competent for the Governor, on the recommendation of the Commandant of the Forces, to deprive him of the medal.

(ix.) Any medal or decoration forfeited by a member under the preceding paragraph may be restored to such member by the the Governor on the recommendation of the Commandant of the Forces.

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration.

Persons eligible.

471. The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration is issued in accordance with the Royal Warrant of 18th May, 1899, subject to the following conditions :—

(i.) (a.) Officers having twenty years’ commissioned service, which need not be continuous.

(b.) Honorary colonels and acting-chaplains who have the qualifying service of twenty years.

(c.) Officers who have retired and have the qualifying service.

Qualifying Service.

(ii.) (a.) Service rendered partly in the local forces of one colony or protectorate and partly in the local forces of another colony or protectorate, or partly in the local forces of one or more colonies or protectorates and partly in the Volunteer Force of Great Britain shall be reckoned; service on the west coast of Africa counting double.

(b.) Half the time served in the ranks of the auxiliary forces of any colony or protectorate, Indian Volunteers, or the Volunteer Force of Great Britain, shall also be reckoned.

(iii.) Service on the Permanent Staff or service in Defence Rifle Clubs shall not reckon as qualifying service for the decoration.

Applications.

(iv.) Application for the decoration shall be made in writing by the O.C. the company or unit to which the applicant belongs to the O.C. the District, who shall forward it, together with his recommendation, as provided for in paragraph (v.), to the Commandant of the Forces. Particulars of applicant’s service shall be inserted and verified by the Under-Secretary for Defence on Form A. The Commandant of the Forces shall then forward his recommendation on Form B or C through the usual channels of correspondence to the Governor. Officers who have performed part of the necessary qualifying service in other portions of the Empire than New Zealand must produce particulars of their previous service certified to by competent authority.

(v.) The decoration being granted as a reward for good and long service, Os.C. Districts should in each case state in general terms the reason which, in their opinion, gives the applicant a claim to receive the decoration.

Publication.

(vi.) The grant of the decoration shall be published in the Government Gazette.

(vii.) The letters “V.D.” shall be inserted in the Army List against the name of the officer to whom the decoration is given.

Forfeiture.

(viii.) When the conduct of an officer after he has been awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration has been such as to disqualify him from wearing it, he may be deprived of it by the Governor.