THE NEW YEAR HONOURS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16411, 3 January 1919, Page 6

THE NEW YEAR HONOURS.

AWARDS TO NEW ZEALAND OFFICERS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) i&UEtraiion and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 2nd, 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, December 31. Honours have been conferred 'on Now Zealand military officers as follows: COMPANIONS OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE. Colonel D. J. McGavin, D.5.0., N.Z.M.C. Colonel D. N. Murrav, D.5.0.. N.Z.M.C. OFFICERS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE ORDER. Captain F. Hurdley, Infantry. Captain 11. Riddiford. Infantry. Major F. W. Parker, Army Service Corps. Major L. Shera, Engineers. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. Lieut.-Colonel G. Craig, N.Z.M.C. Lieut.-Colonel N. F. Shepherd, Infantry. Majir W. J. Jennings, MachineGun Corps. Major It. G. Milligan, Artillery. Major C. Sommerville, Artillery. Major A. Wilson, Artillery. Major N. H. Wilson, Infantry. Captain A. S. Falconer, Infantry. COL. D. J. McGAVIN, C.M.G. Colonel D. J. McGavin, D.5.0., M.D., F.R.C.S., was, before tho war, ono of tlie leading members of the medical profession in Wellington. Ho went to tho front early in the war, and was first of all in charge of the New Zealand No. 2 Stationary Hospital in Egypt. Ho was on the Marquette wnen that ill-fated steamer was torpedoed, and was afterwards in chargo of a hospital at Salonika. After some months there, he was transferred to Franco, where he was in charge of various stationary hospitals. Eventually, when Colonel Begg was appointed D.D.M.S. to the 2nd Auzac Corps, Colonel McGavin was appointed in nis stead A.D.M.S. to tho Now Zealand Division in France, a position which he has held over since. Colonol McGavin's work throughout the war has been marked by thoroughness and success. He has been three times mentioned in despatches, and jn 1917 was awarded tho D.S.O.

COL. D. N. W. MURRAY, C.M.G. Colonel D. N. W. Murray, D.5.0., M.8., in private life is a well-known Auckland doctor. He offered his services early in the war, t and was appointed some considerable time ago O.C. to the No. 22 Ambulance. With Colonel McGavin, Colonel Murray has proved particularly successful in devising plans for the evacuation of wounded, and in fact, he has played a very important part jn removing wounded, not only from Now Zealand units, but from ail parts of the Army. His success in this direction dates from the first Battle of tho Somme. Colonel Murray has in other ways served with very conspicuous distinction, and besides Jiis latest honour lie has been awarded the D.5.0., and has been more than once mentioned in despatches. He is a single man about 40 years of ago. MAJOR L. M. SHERA, 0.8. E. Major L. M. Shera, M.C., is a son of the late Mr J. M. Shera, M.H.R. for Auckland, and was born in Auckland in 1879. Ho was educated at Queen's College, and later was for many years in tho Public Works Department* but just prior to the war was transferred to the Public Health Department. Always interested in military matters, Major Shera joined tho Auckland College Rifles in 1897 as a private, and served in the Boer War during as a lieutenant, receiving the Queen s Medal with four clasps, and the King's with three clasps. For several years previous to tho present war ho waft O.C. No. 3 Coy. Engineers, Auckland. When tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force was raised it was decided to organise a field troop of engineers to compriso 20 men from _ the 1< lold Company in each military district, and Major (then Captain) Shera was given command of the unit. Major fehora won his majority and the M.C. during tho present war, and in addition he holds the 16 years' long service medal. PREMIER OF WEST AUSTRALIA KNIGHTED. (By Cable Press Aeeoclation.—Copyright.) • PERTH, January 2. New Year Honours include the Premier, the Hon. H. B. Lefroy, who has been made a K.C.M.G. G.C.M.G. FOR TWO WELL-KNOWN OFFICERS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Aeaociation.) (Eeuter's Telegrams.) (Received January 2nd, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, January 1. General Birdwood and General Monash have been awarded the Grand tJross of St. Michacl and St, George.