No. 145 4057

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
Published by Authority

WELLINGTON: THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST 1987

Honours and Awards

His Excellency the Governor-General has announced that The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:

THE GEORGE MEDAL

Robin Jamieson DUDDING (deceased), Traffic Officer, Ministry of Transport, Rotorua.

On 7 April 1986 Traffic Officer Robin Dudding was on duty at Moose Lodge, near Rotorua, to ensure free passage for the Prime Minister of Singapore’s motorcade when it left the Lodge for Rotorua. He waved down an oncoming truck and when it stopped a youth armed with a shotgun stepped out. The offender, who had held up a store in Rototi and commandeered several vehicles, forced Traffic Officer Dudding into his Ministry of Transport vehicle and then fired two shots at a Police constable also on duty at Moose Lodge. The two set off for Rotorua, Traffic Officer Dudding driving and the offender in the back seat. Almost certainly Traffic Officer Dudding made for Lake Rotorua in an attempt to buy time and to prevent the offender from reaching Rotorua. He stopped at the lake and was shot. Before being shot Traffic Officer Dudding had attempted to disarm the offender. Traffic Officer Dudding displayed outstanding bravery.

THE QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL

Stephen Anthony LINNEY, Constable, New Zealand Police.

In the early evening of 22 June 1985 while part of a mobile and foot patrol in the area of Port Levy, Banks Peninsula, Constable Linney confronted a young man who it was believed had 2 days earlier been responsible for an armed robbery. The Constable attempted to detain the man but a violent struggle resulted. During the struggle the man pointed a rifle at the Constable and indicated that he was not going to surrender and that it was between the two of them. After verbal attempts to persuade the man to release his weapon, the struggle continued and despite being near exhaustion, the Constable managed to disarm the man and shot him in the thigh with his .38 revolver. This however did not deter the man who, further enraged, picked up a large piece of driftwood and proceeded to attack the Constable’s head. The struggle continued until the Constable managed with some difficulty to apply handcuffs and secure the man. The offender, armed with a knife and .22 rifle and ammunition, clearly had no intention of surrendering and in effecting this arrest Constable Linney disregarded his own safety and demonstrated an exemplary act of bravery.

Peter Thomas BUTTON, O.B.E., Pilot, Capital Helicopters Ltd.

On the morning of 2 July 1986 the New Zealand Police Launch “Lady Elizabeth II”, with four Police officers on board, sank at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. The weather conditions were atrocious at the scene with 10 metre high waves and dangerously high winds of up to 65 knots recorded, accompanied by rain and at times hail. Despite being advised that weather conditions made flying dangerous, Mr Button, accompanied by his son, flew to the scene. Two survivors were located in the water and winched into the helicopter and flown to safety. He returned to the scene by himself and after several attempts uplifted a body with the aid of a scoop net. The body of the fourth person was not found. The two survivors would have perished within a very short time had it not been for Mr Button’s outstanding flying skills and courage in placing his own life at risk.

His Excellency the Governor-General has announced the following awards of The Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct and The Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air:

THE QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT

Miss Katherine Agnes BURRELL, Prison Nurse, Department of Justice, Wellington.

For services on the evening of 6 November 1984, at Arohata Youth Institution, when a fire broke out in a cell occupied by a person being held in custody on remand. On unlocking the cell Nurse Burrell was driven back by smoke but with determination she entered the cell and searched for the occupant, who was found unconscious. She dragged her clear of the cell and resuscitated her. Nurse Burrell’s prompt action undoubtedly saved the occupant’s life.

Joseph KAUIKA, of Taihape.

For services on 9 May 1985 when with complete disregard for his own safety, he went to the assistance of an elderly farmer who was being gored, tossed and trampled by a massive Hereford Bull. Mr Kauika met the maddened bull head on, jammed his fingers up the bull’s nose and with the other hand seized one of his horns and threw the animal onto its back. His actions undoubtedly saved the farmer’s life.

Clive Alan BUTTON, of Wellington.

For services on 2 July 1986 when he assisted his father, Mr Peter Button, of Capital Helicopters Ltd., in the rescue of two survivors of the N.Z. Police Launch “Lady Elizabeth II”, which had sunk in atrocious weather at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. He played a crucial role in assisting the two survivors being winched into the helicopter.