JUNE 23.

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

SECTION V.--GRATUITIES AND GRANTS FOR MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.

31. Long-service and Good-conduct Medal and Gratuity.---The regulations governing the award of the Long-service and Good-conduct Medal shall be as laid down in the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions.

32. A gratuity of £20 shall be payable to ratings of the New Zealand Division, including ratings transferred from the Royal or a Dominion Navy, who are awarded the Long-service and Good-conduct Medal under the conditions laid down in the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions.

33. An allowance of £1 per annum is payable, in addition to the gratuity, for each completed year of service for which character is assessed as "Very good" subsequent to the award of the medal. Payment shall be charged to the pay vote, and made in arrear at the end of each engagement or upon discharge. No payment shall be made in respect of uncompleted years, or for more than a period of seven years in any instance, inclusive of service prior to joining the New Zealand Division.

34. Ratings lent from the Royal Navy will remain eligible for the Royal Naval medal and gratuity, and will not be entitled to any further award under these regulations.

35. National Health Insurance.---Royal Naval ratings lent for service with the New Zealand Division continue to be in the same position as regards national health insurance as if serving in the Royal Navy, the contributions on their behalf being payable from New Zealand funds to British Admiralty funds.

36. Discharge by Purchase: Rates and Regulations.---Chief and other petty officers and ratings may, subject to the approval of the Naval Board, be permitted to purchase their discharge on the terms and under the regulations applicable in the Royal Navy, but with the addition that discharge may be purchased up to, but not exceeding, one month's service from date of first entry for the sum of £10.

37. Service must be actual service in receipt of wages as recorded in the service certificate.

38. In special circumstances the Naval Board may approve of the discharge of a rating without payment of purchase-money, or may reduce the amount required by the scale.

39. Ratings (except boys) discharged by purchase from the New Zealand Division who are allowed to re-engage within a period of two years from the date of discharge may, on approval by the Naval Board, be refunded one-half of the purchase-money paid, provided that on re-entry a fresh engagement is entered into for twelve years, or for five years if the unexpired portion of the original engagement be less than this latter period.

This regulation shall apply to ratings who have purchased their discharge when boys and re-enter within six months to complete their training, or re-enter within the same period in a man's rating.

5. Should re-entry of a person who has purchased his discharge take place within five years of such discharge, previous service shall count in every respect as if no break in the original engagement had occurred.

6. Rewards for Apprehension of Deserters and Absentees.---Rewards for the arrest of stragglers and deserters may be paid up to the following limits : Up to £2 for a straggler; up to £6 for a deserter or presumed deserter.

7. The amount of the reward to be paid, within the above limits, shall be at the discretion of the officer issuing the warrant, and shall be determined by the attendant circumstances, in considering which the zeal shown and the trouble taken by the person effecting the arrest should be taken into consideration.

8. The amount of the reward paid, together with the cost of his own passage to his ship, shall be charged against the pay of the deserter or straggler.

9. Gunnery and Torpedo Efficiency Fund.---Grants are payable at the rates and under the regulations laid down in the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions under this heading.

10. Good-shooting Prizes.---Prizes as provided for in the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, Article 1446, shall be allowed under the special regulations referred to therein.

11. Compensation for Injuries.---When a member of the New Zealand Division shall be retired or discharged on account of wounds or injuries