The New Zealand Cross.
This Cross is the rarest military decoration in the British Empire. Only twenty-three awards were made. In order of merit it is equal to the Victoria Cross and next in precedence. The New Zealand Cross was instituted in 1868 as a special decoration for the Colonial forces for deeds of exceptional valour. Unlike the Victoria Cross, it is of silver and gold. The first award made was that to Trooper W. Lingard, of Bryce's Kai-iwi Cavalry, Wanganui, in 1869, for an act of great gallantry in saving a comrade under heavy fire at Tauranga-ika Stockade.