H.—s

4

5. H.M. Ships " Dunedin " and " Diomede " sailed from Auckland on sth June to carry out a cruise in Australian waters at the invitation of the Commonwealth Government, returning to New Zealand at the end of July. Very great value is obtained by these two squadrons meeting periodically, and taking part in tactical and strategical exercises, competitive firings, boat-pulling, &c. More j>articularly is this so when there is only one cruiser on the New Zealand Station. The two ships were warmly welcomed and very great kindness and hospitality was shown to both officers and men at all ports visited. From my predecessor's reports I gather that the visit was most successful, the conduct of the men being exemplary, and they ably upheld the prestige of the Dominion of New Zealand and the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. 6. H.M. Ships " Veronica " and " Laburnum " paid off and recommissioned with new crews from England between sth and Bth June. After carrying out a week's exercises and gunnery practices in the Ilauraki Gulf, they sailed for their annual cruise in the Pacific Islands, H.M.S. " Laburnum " visiting the western groups of islands and H.M.S. " Veronica " the eastern groups. 7. On return from Australia H.M. Ships " Dunedin " and " Diomede " cruised independently in New Zealand waters and returned to Wellington on sth September and 30th August respectively. 8. I arrived at Wellington on Saturday, 7th September, in s.s. " Rotorua " and hoisted my broad pendant on Sunday, Bth September, assuming the duties of Commodore Commanding the New Zealand Station on Monday, 9th Sej>tember. Commodore Swabey's pendant was struck on the same day that I hoisted my pendant and he sailed for England on 13th September, 3 929. 9. H.M.S. " Diomede " sailed for Auckland on 10th September to dock prior to proceeding to England for large repairs, and was joined there by H.M.S. " Dunedin " on 20th September. 10. The reorganization of personnel referred to in Section II and transfer of stores, &c., was carried out between 25th and 27th September, and H.M.S. " Diomede " sailed for England on 2nd October by way of Tonga, Tahiti, Nukuhiva, Galapagos Islands, Panama, Jamaica, Madeira, and Gibraltar, arriving at Chatham on 30th November, and subsequently paying off into dockyard control on 20th December. 11. H.M.S. " Dunedin," after carrying out exercises in the Hauraki Gulf, visited Akaroa, Dunedin, and Lyttelton, returning to Wellington on the 24th October for the annual musketry course at Trentham Camp. 12. On the 17th October H.M. Ships " Laburnum " and " Veronica " arrived at Auckland, and were taken in hand for annual refit, being joined there by H.M.S. " Dunedin " on 28th November. All ships subsequently proceeded to the Hauraki Gulf for gunnery practices, on conclusion of which they returned to harbour for Christmas leave. 13. On account of civil unrest in Western Samoa and the probability that H.M.S. " Dunedin " would be required to proceed there, all officers and men were recalled from leave on Sunday, sth January. Definite orders were received on Wednesday, Bth January, and the ship sailed for Apia the same evening. Before sailing, certain stores, such as steel helmets, tents, mess utensils, field cooker, &c., provided by the Ordnance Department were embarked, also a Moth seaplane from Hobsonville Seaplane Base with Flight Lieutenant S. S. Wallingford, N.Z.P.A.F. and two Air Mechanics. H.M.S. " Dunedin " arrived at Apia on Sunday, 12th January, and a conference was immediately held on shore, the result of which was that two seaman platoons and the Royal marine platoon were landed. The seaman platoons remained ashore until the conclusion of the operations on the 12th March and the Royal marine platoon remained after the departure of H.M.S. " Dunedin " on 13th March. During the whole of this period the conduct of the 150 men on shore was excellent, and they all worked under most trying conditions both night and day with the most willing cheerfulness. On the whole, the health of the ship's company was good, except for a large number of cases of septic bites and sunburn which occurred amongst the men on shore and several cases of influenzal catarrh and debility on board as the result of lack of exercise, no leave being possible under the circumstances. H.M.S. " Dunedin " sailed from Apia at 1000 on Thursday, 13th March, and carried out a fullpower trial on passage, attaining an average speed of 27-7 knots after ten months out of dock. 14. On 26th. March H.M.S. " Dunedin " proceeded into dock, and commenced her annual refit. 15. In January a small combined operation was carried out at Auckland with a naval detachment from H.M.S. " Philomel " and local Forces. 16. Between the 3rd January and 28th March H.M. Ships " Laburnum " and " Veronica " cruised independently in New Zealand waters. A combined operation on a larger scale was carried out at Akaroa, troops from Canterbury District being embarked at Lyttelton in H.M. Ships " Laburnum," " Veronica," H.M. Trawler " Wakakura," and the Royal Naval. Volunteer Reserve Cutter " Deveron," and landed inside Akaroa Harbour at dawn. 17. H.M.S. " Laburnum " was present at Dunedin on the arrival of Rear-Admiral R. E. Byrd, U.S.N., in the " City of New York," and welcomed him on behalf of the Royal Navy. (B) H.M.S. " Pkilomel." H.M.S. " Philomel " (Commander Nelson Clover, Royal Navy) continues to act as training-ship for the New Zealand Division, and Naval Depot Ship at Auckland. As the result of the postponement of the building of the barracks on account of financial stringency, arrangements are being made for a survey of the ship to be made to ascertain how long she can continue to act in her present capacity. It is considered that she will probably be fit to continue for another two or three years, provided a certain amount of repairs are carried out.