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was made, as a great many defects existed. These were repaired, and the trawler sailed for Colon on the 26th August and arrived on the 2nd September. Passage through the Canal was made on the 7th September, and the next port of call, Mazatlan, was reached on the 19th September, after experiencing very bad weather. Thence passage was made to San Diego, arriving on the 29th September, where, unfortunately, the First Lieutenant, Lieutenant A. 11. B. Atkinson, R.N., had to be discharged to hospital and a relief from England awaited. 2. The voyage from San Diego to Honolulu, which was commenced on the 11th November, was eventful. Very heavy weather was encountered, and machinery defects were developed. Fortunately, U.S.S. " Pittsburg " was in the vicinity and offered help. This was gladly accepted, and " Wakakura " was towed to Honolulu, arriving on the 25th November. Extensive repairs to the machinery were taken in hand with the assistance of the United States naval authorities, who were most generous in their help and in their kindness to the ship's company. " Wakakura " sailed for Pago Pago on the 9th December, and thence on the 30th December for Auckland, which was reached on the 17th January, 1927, after a voyage lasting seven months. She was then taken in hand to complete the arrangements for using her as a training-ship for officers and men of the New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve. D. H.M.S. "Philomel." The training of recruits and the depot-ship's work carried out in [H.M.S. " Philomel " has continued very satisfactorily under the command and direction of Commander F. C. Bradley, R.N. E. R.F.A. " Nucvla." During the year " Nucula " has been employed bringing oil fuel from San Pedro, California, to Auckland for the naval oil-fuel tanks and for lI.M. ships. When the cruisers have been on extended cruises to places where there is no oil fuel " Nucula " has joined company and thus made these cruises possible. Her strategic value has been proved. F. H.M. Sloops. H.M. sloops " Laburnum " and " Veronica " left Auckland in April and May, 1926, respectively, and between then and October carried out very extended cruises in the South Pacific islands. 2. The Administrator of Western Samoa (Major-General Sir George Richardson, K.8.E.) and the Secretary for Native Affairs were embarked in H.M.S. " Laburnum " on the sth July and visited the Tokelau Islands, returning to Apia on the 10th July. His Excellency the Governor of Fiji was embarked on the 24th August and in " Laburnum " visited Savu Savu, Mbutha Bay, Labasa, Naduri, and Levuka, returning to Suva on the 3rd September. 3. In November both sloops were docked in Calliope Dock, and since then have visited many of the main ports of New Zealand. 4. Commander C. E. Brooke, Royal Navy, remains in command of H.M.S. " Laburnum," but Commander P. Hordern, Roval Navy, was succeeded in command of H.M.S. "Veronica" by Commander R. H. F. De Salis, D.S.C., Royal Navy, in December, 1926. 5. Both ships were recommissioned in January, 1927. VI. Visits of Warships to the Dominion. The only visits to New Zealand waters during the year have been by the French sloop " Cassiopee," from the 15th December, 1926, to the 3rd January, 1927, and H.M.S. " Renown," conveying Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York, from the 22nd February, 1927, to the 22nd March, 1927. VII. Drills and Exercises. Every opportunity has been taken of carrying out gunnery, torpedo, and tactical exercises. A large target is being built at Auckland, which will greatly add to the efficiency of the cruisers. 2. The annual musketry course at Trentham proves of great value, and the temporary change from ship life is much appreciated by officers and men. At the conclusion of the course in November the range parties of " Dunedin " and " Diomede " were reviewed by the Hon. the Minister of Defence. I have, &c., G. T. C. P. Swabey, Ist Naval Member and Commodore Commanding New Zealand Station.

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