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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
[No. 35

The barge was then attacked by six enemy dive-bombers, which killed the gunner and splintered the barge in several places.

Private Aylward without hesitation manned the machine-gun, and, regardless of his own safety, continued to engage the enemy aircraft till they dispersed.

His devotion to duty throughout the action was a splendid example to his comrades.

F. JONES, Minister of Defence.

Immediate Operational Awards approved by His Majesty the King

Office of the Minister of Defence,
Wellington, 12th April, 1944.

HIS Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the following Immediate Operational Awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy in the Pacific:—

Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant (Acting Squadron Leader) Percival Guy Haig Newton (NZ1069), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Christchurch.

In a hotly-contested fighter sweep over Rabaul on Christmas Eve, 1943, this Squadron Commander displayed skill and personal gallantry of the highest order in shooting down two Japanese aircraft and in probably destroying a third. A few days later, when the enemy, in large numbers, endeavoured to intercept an Allied bomber force which Squadron Leader Newton’s formation was escorting, he fought a gallant action and destroyed another two Japanese aircraft, bringing his score to five enemy aircraft shot down and one probably destroyed, as he had already had one success on an earlier tour. Squadron Leader Newton, though handicapped by ill-health, gave a sterling performance as a fighter pilot.

Flying Officer (Acting Flight Lieutenant) Jesse Julius de Willimoff (NZ413038), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Auckland.

Exemplary valour displayed by this officer in leading his section back toward enemy territory to cover a damaged Allied bomber returning from Rabaul under fierce attack on 20th January, 1944, was instrumental in the bomber’s crew being saved. Learning that one bomber, on fire and under sustained attack, had fallen out of formation, Acting Flight Lieutenant de Willimoff took his section back and engaged the enemy to such purpose that the bomber was able to make a safe water landing, from which the crew was picked up. A similar incident occurred on 10th February, 1944, when an Allied torpedo bomber was covered against violent attack. After it had landed safely, Acting Flight Lieutenant de Willimoff and his section had to fight their way out against a numerically superior force of Japanese aircraft. This pilot has destroyed two enemy aircraft and damaged two others, and in service throughout the greater part of the Solomons campaign has proved an outstanding leader.

Flying Officer Donald Stanley Beauchamp (NZ412188), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Dannevirke.

By his skill and courage in landing a heavily-laden flying-boat in rough water in the open sea, this officer rescued five United States servicemen on 4th February, 1944. The men, who had been adrift for six days, were transferred to the aircraft, and in spite of rough water and a heavy swell, a take-off was made and the aircraft flown back to base. Flying Officer Beauchamp was captain of the New Zealand Catalina flying-boat concerned in the rescue. On sighting the rafts adrift in the Pacific he was unable to contact base for instructions, so he decided on his own initiative to attempt the rescue, well-knowing that, should he fail, there would be little prospect of rescue for himself and his crew. Although the aircraft was slightly damaged in the open-water landing and the subsequent take-off was crosswind, Flying Officer Beauchamp displayed a high degree of skill and determination, and succeeded in a difficult and hazardous enterprise.

Flying Officer Alexander Gardyne Stanley George (NZ415758), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Auckland.

The utmost enthusiasm in seeking out and engaging the enemy has been shown by Flying Officer George, who displayed high courage and determination while covering the withdrawal of Allied aircraft following an attack on Rabaul on 9th January, 1944. The Allied force was engaged by a vastly superior number of enemy aircraft, and in the ensuing action one of the enemy was shot down by Flying Officer George, whose conduct was in accordance with the highest traditions of the Service. This officer has also participated in many strafing missions, and has been most successful in locating and destroying Japanese landing craft and ground installations, pressing his attacks home with complete disregard of personal risk. In three tours of duty in the Pacific, Flying Officer George has completed seventy-six missions against the enemy, involving 249 hours’ flying. He has destroyed two enemy aircraft, and assisted in the destruction of at least four landing-barges.

Flying Officer Geoffrey Reid Burton Highet (NZ42402), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Wellington.

Two enemy aircraft were destroyed, and a third probably destroyed, by this pilot in a single action over Rabaul on 24th December, 1943, in which he displayed extraordinary skill and courage against heavy odds. His coolness, ability, and disregard of his own safety have been of the highest standard, and were again proved when on 7th January, 1944, he exposed himself to attack to shoot down another enemy aircraft which was engaging one of Flying Officer Highet’s formation. Flying Officer Highet has distinguished himself in aerial combat from Kahili to Rabaul, and has become a highly successful leader.

F. JONES, Minister of Defence.

Amendment No. 7 of the Warrant constituting Goods Transport Control Districts and Taxi-cab Control Districts and appointing Committees therefor

PURSUANT to the Transport Control Emergency Regulations 1942, the Minister of Transport doth hereby amend as follows the Schedule to the Warrant constituting Goods Transport Control Districts and Taxi-cab Control Districts and appointing Committees therefor, dated the 2nd day of September, 1942, and published in the New Zealand Gazette on the 10th day of September, 1942, at page 2173, as amended by Warrants dated respectively the 25th day of November, 1942, the 15th day of February, 1943, the 31st day of March, 1943, the 8th day of April, 1943, the 20th day of May, 1943, and the 24th day of August, 1943, and published respectively in the New Zealand Gazette on the 26th day of November, 1942, at page 2811, the 11th day of March, 1943, at page 299, the 8th day of April, 1943, at page 432, the 15th day of April, 1943, at page 446, the 27th day of May, 1943, at page 606, and the 9th day of September, 1943, at page 1103:—

(1) South Canterbury Goods Transport Control District.—By adding to the South Canterbury Goods Transport Control District the area of Waimate Goods Transport Control District, the constitution of which is now revoked as hereinafter provided.

(2) Waimate Goods Transport Control District and Committee.—By revoking the constitution of the Waimate Goods Transport Control District and the appointments of all members of the Committee therefor.

(3) Whangarei Taxi-cab Control District and Committee.—By revoking the constitution of the Whangarei Taxi-cab Control District and the appointments of all members of the Committee therefor.

Dated at Wellington, this 28th day of April, 1944.

JAS. O’BRIEN, Minister of Transport.

(TT. 32/65.)

Notice of Adoptions under Part IX of the Native Land Act, 1931

Native Land Court Office,
Wellington, 1st May, 1944.

IT is hereby notified that the orders of adoption as set out in the Schedule hereunder have been made by the Native Land Court under the provisions of the Native Land Act, 1931.

P. H. DUDSON, Registrar.

Whakaatu tangohanga Tamariki Whangai i raro o Wahi IX o te Ture Whenua Maori, 1931

Tari Kooti Whenua Maori,
Poneke, 1 o Mei, 1944.

He whakaaturanga tenei kia mohiotia ai kua hangaia e te Kooti Whenua Maori i raro i nga tikanga o te Ture Whenua Maori, 1931, etahi ota whakamana i te tangohanga o etahi tamariki whangai e whakaaturia e te Kupu Apiti i raro iho nei.

TATIHANA, Kai-rehita.

SCHEDULE (KUPU APITI)