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THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS.

presentation to colonel McDonnell. Wklmncjton. to-day. Tho Governor presented tho Now Zealand Cross to Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell at Government House this morning in the presence of Messrs Buckly, D. Tole, Larnach, Sir G. Whitinore, and the garrison officers. His Excellency made a brief speech explaining that the Cross had boen instituted at Sir (i. Whitmore's instance and by the Queen's special orders, and ranked with, and the next after, thu Victorian Cross, being tho only similar order in the Empire. Mo read from the liazetto a proclamation of tho deeds *or which Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell was awarded the decoration, particularly his rcconnaisanco with Von Tenisky at Paparitu, in Waikato, in 18G3. Ho explained that our relations with the natives were very different then to now, wlioa tho wisdom of various Governments has brought about much more peaceful rotations. He ended with a few complimentary expressions to the recipient.

Liuuterit'uit-O'ilonel McDonnell said ho felt he had obtained tho Cross after such n length of time through the kindness of Mi 1 Bai lance and other member 9of the present Government, and owing to the recommendation of. his old commanders, C\un«ron and Chute. He expressed sorrow that hia o!d friend tho gallant Von Toni'iky waa not by his side to receive a full share of the honor ho deserved, tie did not appreciate his ivw;u\l tho less by having to wait so long, and thanked those present for thu honor they had done him. This concluded the proceedings. The New Zealand Cross was specially made in England, and is an extremely handsome decoration, beiii^ in sh.ipo similar t-> the Victorian Cross, but the material is silver instead of gun-metal, and each ray of the cross ha? a star on its centre with a J(olcl wreath inscribed New iie:iland. The Governor's statement as to the value of the Cross will probably be nows to most colonists. There are only eighteen holders of the decoration in New Zealand, which carries £10 a year with it.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH18861215.2.16

Bibliographic details

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4741, 15 December 1886, Page 3

Word Count
333

THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS. Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4741, 15 December 1886, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS. Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4741, 15 December 1886, Page 3