Sept. 2.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1959

36. CHAPLAINS.

(1) The Governor-General may, on the recommendation of the Air Board, appoint a clergyman of any recognized religious denomination to be a chaplain to the Air Force.

(2) A chaplain to the Air Force shall have such privileges, duties, and status as may be prescribed by the Air Board.

37. PROBATIONARY PERIOD.

(1) Every officer appointed under the provisions of Regulation 30 and subclause (2) (a) of Regulation 32 shall, in the first instance, be appointed on probation only, and will be continued on probation for a period of twelve months, but his appointment may be terminated at any time during this period.

(2) After the period of twelve months has expired, the Air Board will, upon a report from the commanding officer, or in the case of an officer of the Medical Branch, from the Principal Medical Officer, recommend the confirmation or termination of the probationary appointment or extend the period of probation for a further period.

38. ATTACHMENTS AND TRANSFERS.

Officers of His Majesty’s Forces attached to, seconded or loaned for service in’ the Air Force may, with their consent and with the approval of the Air Board and the appropriate naval, military, or air authorities, be transferred to the Regular Air Force with permanent commissions under conditions approved by the Air Board: Provided that their rank on transfer shall be appropriate to their age and experience and shall be determined by the Air Board.

39. TRANSFERS BETWEEN BRANCHES.

The Governor-General may, on the recommendation of the Air Board, transfer an officer from one branch to another, and an officer so transferred shall normally retain his rank in the branch to which he is transferred with seniority as from the date of transfer, but, when for any reason the Air Board does not desire to transfer an officer from one branch to another with the rank which he holds, such officer may be transferred with a lower rank and his seniority shall, in such case, be determined by the Air Board.

40. PROMOTION.

All promotions shall be within the authorized establishments.

41. PROMOTION EXAMINATIONS.

(1) Save as provided in clause (2) of this regulation, no officer shall be eligible for promotion unless he has passed the appropriate qualifying examinations as laid down by the Air Board.

(2) The following officers shall be exempt from taking the said promotion examinations :—

(a) A pilot officer who obtains a “distinguished pass” in the passing-out examination at a flying training school shall be deemed to have qualified for the rank of flying officer :

(b) An officer who has been appointed to a commission as flying officer from warrant rank shall not be required to pass the examination necessary to qualify for the rank of flight lieutenant :

(c) An officer who has passed the qualifying examination for admission to the Royal Air Force Staff College shall not be required to pass the examination necessary to qualify for the rank of squadron leader.

42. APPOINTMENT OR PROMOTION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE.

The Governor-General may, for distinguished service in time of war, or for exceptional gallantry on active service, appoint any person to be an officer or promote an officer in the Air Force without his passing the prescribed examination.

43. SENIORITY AND REGRADEING OF ACTING PILOT OFFICERS : GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.

(1) The seniority of acting pilot officers who pass through the same course of flying training shall be determined by the results obtained in the passing-out examination.

(2) An acting pilot officer will normally be graded as a pilot officer on being confirmed in his appointment.