A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 52, 30 August 1917, Page 7

A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY

ACT OF BRAVERY LONG AGO.

A fragment of ancient history is referred to in a question submitted to tho Defence Minister by the Hon. Sir J. G. Findlay, who asked : Whether, in the matter of the recommended issue of the New Zealand Cross decoration to Major F. W. Gascoyne, T.D., Hastings, now eighty years of age, for the special act of bravery performed by him in 1868, he will—(1) state whether the recommended award of the decoration has been dealt with by the Cabinet; (2) lay upon the tablo of the House the findings and recommendation of the Board of Officers to which the claim was referred for enquiry in 1915, and the evidence given before the Public Petitions Committee and its recommendation in 1916 ?

The reply is : On the 2nd September, ISI4, a reply was given as follows : " I have made careful enquiry into the reasons why Major Gascoyne was not granted the New Zealand Cross on recommendations made to the Department in former years. As a result I do not feel justified, after the lapse of so many years, in reversing the decision given •by previous Governments on reports submitted by responsible officers on the merits of such applications, whilst at the same time fully acknowledging the. meritorious nature of Major Gascoyne's services during the Maori War." The application was renewed in 1915 and placed before Cabinet, but was not approved. A board of officers on the 6th December, 1914, reported that Major Gascoyne performed an intrepid action in carrying despatches in July, 1868. In .August Cabinet further considered tlie matter, but did not alter its previous decision. The report of the Public Peii■■tions Committee has already been la-id upon the table of the House."