JAN. 27] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 61

The enemy fled, leaving ten dead around the position. With the
mortar was approximately five hundred rounds of mortar
ammunition and a large quantity of grenades and S.A.A. One
L.M.G. was also captured. 2nd Lieutenant Booth destroyed
the mortar and howitzers and withdrew. His platoon suffered
seven casualties (wounded) in this action. 2nd Lieutenant
Booth showed himself an officer of outstanding courage and
initiative, and the successful termination of the unloading of the
L.S.T's. was due in no small measure to his action.

The Distinguished Conduct Medal
No. 530023 Sergeant William Albert Cowan, Headquarters, 8th
New Zealand Brigade.

For distinguished conduct prior to and during operations
in the Solomons area. Sergeant Cowan was selected to command
two patrols to Treasury Islands before the landing of 8th
Brigade Group on 27th October, 1943. The first patrol was
sent in to obtain information as to the strength of the enemy
and his dispositions. The object of the second patrol was to cut
a main telephone line between the enemy O.P. on Laifa Point
and the Japanese Headquarters, and to pass information as to
enemy movements after the landing had been effected. The
first patrol was carried through most successfully under difficult
conditions, and resulted in much valuable information being
obtained: The second patrol successfully cut the telephone line
at 0400 hours on 27th October, and thus delayed information of
the approach of the assaulting troops reaching the enemy.
During the next five days the patrol was continuously active
behind the enemy lines, and much information was obtained.
Throughout, Sergeant Cowan showed resource and determination
of a high order, and his personal example and coolness in
face of considerable danger was largely responsible for the
successful achievement of the missions.

The Military Medal
No. 584617 Sapper Jack Keith Duncan, 23rd Field Coy., New
Zealand Engineers.

For bravery in the field during the landing of 8th Brigade
Group on Treasury Islands on 27th October, 1943. Beaches
were subjected to very heavy shelling and mortar fire for about
five hours after the initial landing had been made. This
resulted in many casualties to personnel and damage to ships
that were unloading. Sapper Duncan, during the whole of this
time and with utter disregard for his own personal safety,
continued to operate his bulldozer on and in the close vicinity
of these beaches in constructing the tracks vitally necessary for
the expeditious unloading of ammunition, stores, and equipment.
His fine example was a very steadying influence on unloading
and carrying parties.

No. 68809 Private Joseph Edward Smith, 34th Battalion.

For gallant conduct during a determined enemy attack at
Soanotalu on 2nd November, 1943. Private Smith was with
a party of ten, including one officer and one Staff Sergeant, who
defended the small beach at Soanotalu. The defenders were
considerably outnumbered. When the officer and Staff Sergeant
had been mortally wounded and the situation was at its worst
Private Smith took command and, by his resolute actions and
calmness, kept the defence intact; finally, after five hours'
fighting, completely annihilating that portion of the enemy
force which had penetrated to the beach.

No. 578368 Corporal Frederick Arthur Armstrong, 36th Battalion.

On 5th November, 1943, Corporal Armstrong, as a member
of a fighting patrol from his Battalion, was acting as a point
scout with Sergeant Ilala, a native guide, when a Japanese
fired at Sergeant Ilala. The native Sergeant's rifle jammed when
he tried to return the fire, but Corporal Armstrong ran towards
the Japanese and shot him at close quarters. The Japanese was
not killed, however, and fell down a cliff, and in following him,
a strong Japanese party armed with one L.M.G., rifles, and
grenades was discovered in a series of caves on the seashore. In
the ensuing action, in which ten Japanese were killed and one
captured, Corporal Armstrong displayed an absolute disregard
of personal safety, and by his courage and leadership inspired
his section. One of the enemy was hidden in a cave from where
he was able to shoot and kill Sergeant Baird.. Fire could not be
brought to bear on him, and when grenades were thrown into
this cave he scooped them out. Corporal Armstrong then took
two grenades, and, crawling down the cliff to a little ledge above
the cave, he pulled the pin from a grenade, held it for three
seconds, and then tossed it into the cave. He repeated this
with the second grenade, and then jumped into the cave to find
the Japanese dead. Had it not been for Corporal Armstrong's
action, the casualties suffered by the patrol would, in all
probability, have been heavier.

No. 590948 Private Edward Valentine Owen, 29th Battalion.

For bravery in the field during and subsequent to the
landing on Treasury Islands. Private Owen, who is a man of
forty years, has shown outstanding devotion to duty during the
Treasury Island campaign. He landed with the assaulting
companies and immediately carried out a daring reconnaissance.
As a result of this he led a fighting patrol against a strongly held
enemy post. During the attack on this post, and with a total
disregard for his own personal safety, he advanced and threw a
grenade into the post, which enabled the rest of the patrol to
close in. He has since been most active on patrols into enemy
territory, the results of which have, on several occasions,
enabled the Battalion to effect adjustments to the line held.
His devotion to duty and example have been an inspiration to
all ranks.

F. JONES, Minister of Defence.

Delegation by the Chief of the Air Staff of Authority for the Convening
of General Courts-martial

To AIR COMMODORE MAURICE WILLIAM BUCKLEY, M.B.E.,
A.D.C., Commanding No. 1 Islands Group, R.N.Z.A.F.

WHEREAS I am empowered by Warrant of His Excellency the
Governor-General bearing date the 28th day of November,
1938, to direct my Warrant to any officer of the Air Force not under
the rank of Squadron Leader, giving him a general authority to
convene general courts-martial for the trial of any person who is
subject to the Air Force Act, 1937, and the regulations made there-
under, and also to exercise (subject to the provisions of the said
Warrant) in respect of the proceedings of such courts-martial the
power of confirming the findings or sentences thereof according
to law, or of directing him to reserve for my confirmation the
proceedings of all or any such courts-martial:

Now, therefore, by virtue of the said Warrant, I do hereby
authorize and empower you from time to time, as occasion may
require, to convene general courts-martial for the trial of any person
for the time being under or within the territorial limits of your
command who is subject to the Air Force Act, 1937, and the
regulations made thereunder, and who shall be charged with any
offence for which such person may be tried by court-martial:

And I do hereby empower you in respect of the proceedings of
such courts-martial to confirm the findings or sentences thereof
according to law:

And for so doing, this shall be to you, as to all others whom it
may concern, a sufficient Warrant.

Given under my hand at Wellington, this 17th day of January,
1944.

L. M. ISITT,
Air Vice-Marshal, Chief of the Air Staff,
Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Revocation of Delegation by the Chief of the Air Staff of Authority
for the Convening of General Courts-martial

To GROUP CAPTAIN GEOFFREY NEWLAND ROBERTS, A.F.C.,
Commanding Officer, R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Whenuapai.

WHEREAS I am empowered by Warrant of His Excellency the
Governor-General bearing date the 28th day of November,
1938, to direct my Warrant to any officer of the Air Force not under
the rank of Squadron Leader, giving him a general authority to
convene general courts-martial for the trial of any person who is
subject to the Air Force Act, 1937, and the regulations made there-
under, and also to exercise (subject to the provisions of the said
Warrant) in respect of the proceedings of such courts-martial the
power of confirming the findings or sentences thereof according to
law, or of directing him to reserve for my confirmation the proceedings
of all or any such courts-martial:

And whereas on the 20th day of October, 1942, authority was,
pursuant to such powers delegated to you, to convene courts-
martial as aforesaid and to confirm the findings and sentences
thereof, such delegation being published in New Zealand Gazette
No. 96 on the 29th day of October, 1942, at page 2538 :

And whereas the circumstances which gave rise to such delegation
no longer exist:

Now, therefore, I hereby cancel and revoke the said delegation
of authority.

Given under my hand at Wellington, this 17th day of January,
1944.

L. M. ISITT,
Air Vice-Marshal, Chief of the Air Staff,
Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Election of Member of Southland Land Board

Department of Lands and Survey,
Invercargill, 18th January, 1944.

I, THOMAS CAGNEY, Returning Officer for the election of a
member of the Land Board of the Land District of Southland,
do hereby notify, in accordance with the provisions of section 47 of
the Land Act, 1924, and the regulations made thereunder, that
the only person nominated to fill the vacancy occurring on the said
Board was

James Clarke Paterson, of Wendonside ;

and I do hereby declare that the said James Clarke Paterson is
duly elected a member of the said Land Board for a term of two
years from the 2nd day of March, 1944.

THOS. CAGNEY, Returning Officer.
(L. and S. 22/748/10.)

The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1925.-Cancellation
of Registration

Department of Labour,
Wellington, 25th January, 1944.

NOTICE is hereby given that the registration of the New Zealand
Federated Fruit Preserving, Condiments, Vegetable Canning,
and Related Products Employees' Industrial Association of Workers,
registered No. 1848, situated at Auckland, is hereby cancelled as
from the date of publication of this notice in the Gazette.

G. M. F. JACKSON,
Deputy Registrar of Industrial Unions.