H.-5

The following table shows the numbers discharged or dismissed during the period Ist April, 1925, to 31st March, 1926, after final entry : —

Recruiting during the past financial year has resulted in the entry of approximately the numbers required. VIII. New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve. Entries into the New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve (men) during the year under review have been as follows :— Class A (Inactive) —Men discharged from the seagoing forces in New Zealand, other than those joining Class A (Active). J Seamen ratings .. ..3 These men are liable to come up for naval service, in the Engine-room and stoker ratings 5 event of war, if required, within ten years of discharge j Artisan ratings .. 1 from the seagoing forces, if not then over forty years of | Steward ahd cook ratings .. 1 age J — 10 f Seamen ratings .. 6 Class A (Active) —Men who have served in the Royal Navy! Signal and W/T ratings .. 1 or any Dominion Navy. | Engine-room and stoker ratings 8 Artisan ratings .. 1 — 16 Class B—Men who follow the sea as a profession in the\g eamen ra^n „ g j mercantile marine or steam fishing-vessels J — 1 C Seamen ratings .. .. 7 Class C—Men ineligible for entry in Classes A and B .. -I n . anc ' W/T ratings .. 3 & J | Engine-room and stoker ratings 4 ratings .. .. 2 — 16 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 43 Men enrolled in Classes A (Active), B, and C are required to come up for training during peace, as laid down in the regulations made by Order in Council of the 10th July, 1922. W/T ratings (Class C) are selected from volunteers amongst the Telegraph staff of the Post and Telegraph Department. Class D, Royal Naval Reserve. Class I), Royal Naval Reserve, which consists entirely of volunteers, has been inaugurated at Auckland with conspicuous success. The numbers enrolled consist of eighteen officers and 120 men. After undergoing preliminary training on shore, five officers and seventy-five men have been embarked in the cruisers of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy during periods of exercise, in order to undergo sea training. The results have been highly gratifying. Officers and men are keen to learn and to become thoroughly efficient. Further progress in training will be made on the arrival of the trawler " Wakakura," and it is certain that a fine and efficient force for local defence will develop rapidly. Special credit is due to Commander J. R. Middleton, D.5.0., R.N.V.R., N.Z.D. (Captain Royal Navy, retired) and to Lieut.-Commander C. H. T. Palmer, R.N.V.R., for the care and attention which they have given towards the training and development of this valuable force. IX. Technical Courses for Locally-entered Ratings. The policy of sending selected locally-entered ratings for higher training in naval establishments in the United Kingdom has been continued with satisfactory results. Eight able seamen, one signalman, and twenty-five stoker ratings returned to New Zealand in H.M.S. " Diomede " after having completed their courses and seen service in battleships of the Atlantic Fleet; one electrical artificer, seven able seamen, one signalman, one sick-berth attendant, and two stokers are now in England undergoing courses, and five selected able seamen will proceed Home in August for the same purpose. Most satisfactory reports have been received of the character and progress made by New Zealand ratings during their courses at home.

4

Able Seamen, Cause. Stokers. Other Ratings. Total. Boys. Services no longer required, unsuitable, dis- 12 3 1 16 missed as a punishment By desertion .. .. .. .. 5 3 1 9 Invalided .. .. .. .. 5 1 1 7 By purchase .. .. .. .. . . 4 .. 4 Totals .. .. .. 22 11 3 36