2370
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 71

Article 52: Cancel clause 3, and add new Article 52A:—

52A. Probation.—All candidates finally entered will be required to serve for a period on probation, and the fact that probation is operative for a given period is to be clearly explained to every man or boy at the time of executing his first engagement. The following periods of probation will be applicable:—

Seaman, Signal and Telegraphist Branches One year.
Stoker Branch Nine months.
Artificer and Accountant Branches Until satisfactory completion of new entry, disciplinary, and professional courses.
Artisan Branches Six months.
Sick-berth Branch One year.

2. Discharge may be recommended by Commanding Officers at any time during the probationary periods prescribed above, and the approval of the Naval Board must be obtained in every case. Recommendations for discharge should be based on the grounds of unsuitability.

3. Ratings will be regarded as supernumerary to the complement of the ships in which they are serving until they have completed their periods of probation.

Article 57: Cancel.

Article 62: Cancel, and substitute:—

62. Discharge by purchase.—Men and boys serving in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy under continuous service engagements may be permitted, in special circumstances, to purchase their discharge. Discharge by purchase cannot be claimed as a right, and nothing in these regulations shall interfere with the power of the Naval Board to suspend this concession at any time, or to refuse discharge in a particular case.

2. Discharge by purchase will involve forfeiture of deferred pay in respect of current engagement under Article 134.

3. In normal circumstances, ratings who are permitted to take their discharge by purchase will be liable to serve in the Royal Naval Reserve (New Zealand Division) for ten years from date of discharge or until the age of forty years if this is earlier, and during this period they remain liable to be called out for service in time of war.

4. The Captain is to be careful not to entertain or forward an application without fully satisfying himself that the applicant has good and substantial reasons for seeking his discharge. He is to state whether or not the application is recommended by him as in the real interests of the man.

5. Compassionate grounds for discharge by purchase: Applications for discharge by purchase on compassionate grounds must be supported by clear evidence that undoubted material hardship to a man’s dependents is involved by his retention in the Service. Proof will be required that the circumstances of the dependents have changed for the worse since the man entered the Service, and that the applicant is contributing to their support, through Service channels, an amount of his pay which inflicts hardship upon him, and which he could better afford as a civilian.

6. Such applications should also be accompanied by a statement showing whether or not the purchase-money has been offered or lodged, and, if not, whether the captain is satisfied that the circumstances of the applicant and/or his family preclude the possibility of finding sufficient funds to meet the full amount payable under the provisions of clause 10 or any part thereof.

7. Method of forwarding applications: Commanding Officers are to investigate each application, and may forward to the Commodore Commanding those which they recommend. All applications are to be forwarded through the Commodore Commanding. They are to be made on form S. 222, and are to be accompanied by Certificate of Service (or attested copy) and all relevant particulars, including the following:—

(a) Details of intended permanent employment and rate of wages offered.
(b) Two independent certificates from men of standing, e.g., the local Justice of the Peace and minister of religion, substantiating the man’s claim to consideration and confirming that the offer of employment is of a bona fide permanent nature.
(c) Medical certificates, where the application is preferred on compassionate grounds.

8. The Commodore Commanding will transmit the applications of men whose discharge he recommends to the Naval Board. When forwarding applications on compassionate grounds he should state whether a reduction in the amount payable is recommended.