NEW YEAR HONOURS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 2, 4 January 1916, Page 7

NEW YEAR HONOURS.

“VISCOUNT FRENCH OF YPRES.” THE HON. THOMAS MACKENZIE KNIGHTED. LONDON, Jnauary 1. The New Year Honours’s list includes: — The Hon. Thom'as Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, to be Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George.

Mr. C. F. W. Palliser, Secretary to the High Commissioner for New Zealand, to be a Companion of St. Michael and St. George.

The Earl of Curzon, and the Duke of Devonshire, to be Knights of the Garter.

Baron Mersey to be Viscount. Baronies are conferred upon Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy (President of the Canadian Pacific Railway), Mr. William Waldorf Astor (a distinguished American who became a naturalised British subject in 1890), Mr. Baird Alfred Thomas (a Welsh coal-owner), and Sir Alexander Henderson and Mr Cecil Wm. Norton, members of the Reuse of Commons.

The new Privy Councillors include Messrs Geo. N. Barnes and Will Crocks, the well-known English Labour leaders and members of the House of Commons.

The Baronetcies include Admiral Sturdee 'an dthe Right Hon. Sir Wm. Edward Goschen.

The Knighthoods include Mr. Tlios. B. Bowater, Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

The Knights include the Hons. Lauch'ian C. Mackinnon (Melbourne) and Henry Griggs (Member of the Legislative Council of West Australia).

Vice-Admiral Sif George is coated a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George. Field-Marshal Sir John French has chosen the title of Viscount French of Ypres. The Commanders of St. Michael and St. George include Sir Charles M'ackellar, of Sydney and the Companions of the same order include Mr Nelson Hood, a Victorian.

Many honours have been granted to civilians in recognition of their efforts in connection with the organisation and production of war materials and the raising of war funds.

Admiral Guepratte has been promoted to be a Knight of the Bath, in recognition of his services while commanding the French Squadron cooperating with the British at the Dardanelles.

Mr. Loose, of the Colonial Institute, has been made Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. The following were awarded the Victoria Cross; —Squadron-Command-er Beil Davis (Distinguished Service Cross), and Flight-Commander Symlie. The following were the circumstances :The officers on the 19th (November carried out an aircraft raid on Ferrijk junction. Lieutenant Sm,ylie’s machine was damiaged and he downplaned, releasing all the bombs except one. On alighting Smylie fired the machine, knowing the bomb would destroy it. Suddenly he saw Lieut. Davies descending close to the burning aeroplane. Pe'aring Davies was risking destruction Smylie ran back, exploded the bomb with 'a pistol bullet at short range. Davies then de-

scended, tools: up Smylie and despite the approach of a party of Turks, returned to the aerodrome. The feat of airmanship ha s been seldom equalled for skill and gallantry.