NEW ZEALAND WAR CROSS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 254, 25 October 1919, Page 24

NEW ZEALAND WAR CROSS.

_ A UNIQUE MEDAL. In " Lloyd's News" of July 20th appeared the following little paragraph, under a reference to the American " V.C." "By the way, few people are probably aware that tnere is'in existence a genuine Victoria Cross, other than the one we are all more or less familiar with. This is the New Zealand VJC., issued so long ago as 1569 by the then Governor of the colony, Sir G. F. Bowen, under a special Order-in-Council. Herein he exceeded his authority, a fact of which he was speedily made aware by a strongly worded remonstrance from the Home Office. The Order-in-Council was revoked but Queen Victoria was graciously pleased to ratify its provisions so far as regarded the nineteen crosses that had already 'been awarded under it, and these are now highly valued by collectors."

Aji exceptionally interesting little paragraph, and one containing information that is not generally known in New Zealand. It also throws light on what was probably a lively inter-departmental "breeze." if such things were possible in those dignified days; an episode which New Zealand heard very little about'

However, it seems to have made a mistake in two particulars, the revocation of the Order-in-Council and the number of the crosses issued. THE "GAZETTE" NOTICE. If one cares to delve among the bound volumes of the New Zealand "Gazette" of some half-century ago, one will find an Order-in-Oouncil, dated 10th of March, 1569, which begins: Whereas it is expedient that regulations should be made for conferring a Decorative Distinction on members of the Military Volunteers and Armed Constabulary who may particularly distinguish themselves by their bravery, now, therefore, His Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council of New Zealand, and in exercise of all powers and authorities enabling him in this behalf, doth by this present order institute a Decorative Distinction to be conferred on such members •of the Military Volunteers and Armed

Constabulary who particularly distinguish themselves by their bravery in action or devotion to their duty while on service, and doth with their like advice and consent, make and ordain the following regulations under which 6uch distinction shall be conferred." DESIGN OF THE CROSS. Then follows a long description of tbe Cross, which is to he made of silver, with the name of the colony and that of tbe recipient engraved thereon, and is to be suspended from the left breast by a crimson riband. Provisions are also made to have it added to by a silver bar, in the event of a recipient doing more than one deed of valour worthy of it. It was to bo a reward for any signal act of valour or devotion, or any very intrepid action in active service. It can be awarded by the Uovernor only, and the recipient is to be publicly decorated before the war to which he belonged, or with which the deed of heroism was performed.

It was first granted hy an Order-in-Council, dated the 10th of March, 18G8, to Constable Henare Kcpa, of Mo. 1 Division of the Armed Constabulary for his gallant conduct during the attack on the enemy's position at Moturoa on tho ! Tth of November, 18C8. ' It was later granted to Constables Biddle and Black, to Sergeant G. _t. Hill, and to Trooper W. Lingard. THE SPIRIT OF THE BRITON. A conspicuous feat of bravery and endurance was that which gained it for Cornet Angus Smith, of the Bay of Plenty Volunteers. On the 7th of June, 1569, the cavalry in his charge was surprised by Te Kooti's men at Opepe, and of thirteen men nine were killed. Cornet Smith did his best to find his commanding officer and warn him of the peril that lurked in the undergrowth, but, on his way to do so, was caught by the rebels, tied to a tree, and stripped of all his clothing and Crimean medals. In this position he remained for some foiur days, but was finally able to free himself, and eventually got into Fort Galatea on the 17th day of the month, having been for ten days without food or clothing—this in the middle of the winter. In the first skirmish he had received a desperate wound in his foot, and was thus forced to go for a considerable distance on his bands and knees. XO "STROXGLY WORDED REMONSTRANCE." There is little trace of friction with the Imperial authorities in the politelyworded ratification by the Secretary of State published in the Order-in-Council on the 22nd of December of the same year. It is stated that tho Queen expresses her confidence that this announcement of ber pleasure would enhance the satisfaction with which the decoration would be accepted, and worn by those to whom it had been or might hereafter be awarded.

, iLater recipients were tbe Honourable J. E. Featherston, Sergt. A. W. Carkeek, Inspector (late Colonel') J. M. Roberts, Major Kepa Rangiwhinui, Wahawaha Rapata, Captain F. J. Mace', Sub-Inspec-tor (late Captain) Ceorge Prcece, Asst. Surgeon Samuel Walker, Sergeant Christopher Maling, Sergeant Richard Shepherd, Sergeant Samuel Austin, Trooper Antonio Roderigucz, and Private Thomas Adamson. THE MTSDEADIXC XIXETEEX. Private Adamson terminates the list of the nineteen recipients referred to by tbe English paper, and tbe fact that these were all awarded at much the same time and that then no anore awards were made for a number of years has probably induced the idea that this was the termination of the award. But in 18S7 it was again awarded to Colonel T. McDonald, and to Captain Gilbert Mair, and again, later, to Cornet narry Wrigg, (to whom we are indebted for a great deal of tbis information, and finaallv to Captain H. W. Xorthcroft.

The last clause in the paragraph is entirely true, as Mr. Wripg's records great deal of this information), and finChristie's brought in £233.