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No. 28. New Zealand, No. 119. My TJOKD, — Downing Street, 3rd June, 1910. I have the honour to transmit to you. for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a special army order which has been issued relative to a pardon to deserters, which His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to grant on the occasion of his accession to the throne. 2. As it is desirable that the grant of His Majesty's pardon should be given the greatest publicity possible, the Army Council will be grateful if your Ministers will take such steps as may seem best suited to secure that the terms of the army order shall become known in New Zealand. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, G.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c. Enclosure. Army Order. —Special. pardon to deserters, etc. War Office, 23rd May, 1910. 1. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased, as an act of clemency, on the occasion of his accession to the throne, to approve of the following remission of punishment to soldiers undergoing sentence in military prisons and detention barracks, and of pardons being granted, to soldiers in a state of desertion, or who, since deserting, have enlisted in other corps : — Soldiers undergoing Detention by Sentence of Court-martial, or by award of Commanding Officers at Ihr Date of this Order. Sentences up to fifty-six days —to be released. Sentences exceeding fifty-six days—to be granted a remission of one-half of the unexpired portion of detention. Men undergoing Imprisonment in Military Prisons or Detention Barracks at the Dale of this Order. All men —a remission of one-half of the unexpired portion of imprisonment. The remissions will take effect from the date of this order. 2. The following instructions are issued as regards the pardon to deserters. &c. : — •1. The pardon to deserters is extended to men who hay (a.) Deserted ; (b.) Fraudently enlisted, as defined in section 13, Army Act; (c.) Absented themselves without leave from the Regular, Auxiliary, or Reserve Forces ; (d.) Improperly enlisted into the Regular Forces, Special Reserve, or Territorial Force, while serving in the Army Reserve. Provided that they committed the offence before the date of this army order, and surrender , themselves withm two months after that date if at Home, or within four months if abroad. 4. Deserters and absentees are required to report themselves in writing, giving full particulars, to one of the undermentioned officers, from whom they will receive instructions. If they are suffering from any physical disability which renders them unable to rejoin the service, they should state m in their letter. If they belonged to — They should write to — Household Cavalry. . . . . . Officer Commanding Regiment. Dragoon Guards, Dragoons, and Lancers Officer i/c Cavalry Records, Canterbury. of the Line Hussars of the Line . . .. Officer i/c Cavalry Records, York. Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery Officer i/c Records, Woolwich. Royal Garrison Artillery . . . . Officer i/c Records, Dover. Royal Engineers . . .. . . Officer i/c Records, Chatham. Foot Guards .. .. .. Officer Commanding Regiment, Buckingham Gate, London S.W. Infantry of the Line .. .. Officer i/c Records concerned. Royal Malta Artillery . . . . Officer Commanding Corps. West India Regiment . . . . Officer i/c Records, Jamaica. Army Service Corps . . .. Officer i/c A.S.C. Records, Woolwich. Army Ordnance Corps .. .. Officer Commanding Corps, Woolwich. Royal Army Medical Corps . . .. Officer i/c R.A.M.C. Records, Aldershot. Army Pay Corps .. .. .. Officer i/c A.P.C. Records, War Office. Army Veterinary Corps .. . . Officer i/c A.V.C. Records, War Office. Corps of Military Police .. . . Officer Commanding Corps, Aldershot. Military Provost Staff Corps. . .. Officer i/c M.P.S.C. Records, War Office. Army Reserve or Special Reserve . . Officer i/c Records concerned.

A.-1, 19.11 No. 23.