H.—s

1935. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND NAVAL FORCES. REPORT OF THE COMMODORE COMMANDING THE NEW ZEALAND STATION FOR THE PERIOD 1st APRIL, 1934, TO 31st MARCH, 1935.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency the Governor-General.

EEPOKT.

The Honourable the Minister of Defence. H.M.S. " Dunedin," at Auckland, 20th April, 1935. Sir, — I have the honour to address to you the following report on the Naval Forces of the Dominion and the proceedings of the New Zealand Station during the year Ist April, 1934, to 31st March, 1935:— I. State. The New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy on the 31st March, 1935, consisted of — H.M.S. " Dunedin " (wearing the broad pendant of the Commodore Commanding New Zealand Station), H.M.S. " Diomede," H.M.S. "Philomel," non-seagoing training and depot ship at Devonport, Auckland, H.M.S. " Wakakura " (trawler), and R.F.A. Nucula," the Squadron oiler. 2. H.M.S. " Leith," maintained at the expense of the Imperial Government, is also employed on the New Zealand Station under the orders of the Commodore Commanding. 3. H.M.S. " Laburnum," similarly maintained and employed, sailed from Auckland for Singapore on the 11th February, 1935, and will shortly be. relieved by H.M.S. " Wellington." 11. Personnel (Active Service). 4. On the concluding date of this report there were 477 ratings on the active list who had been recruited in New Zealand, and 19 Imperial ratings who had been accepted for permanent service in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. The ships' companies will be completed by 437 ratings loaned and 30 ratings on interchange from the Imperial Service. 5. The ratings entered during the year included 30 boys of the Seaman and Communications Branches, 8 Stokers, and 9 ratings for miscellaneous branches, making a total of 47. Recruiting has improved, an officer from H.M.S. " Philomel" having visited the Military Staff Officers of all districts. 6. Twenty-nine New Zealand ratings were discharged during the year. 7. Advancements of New Zealand ratings continue to compare favourably with those in the Imperial Service. A large number of New Zealand ratings were sent during the year to establishments in Australia and the United Kingdom for special courses of instruction, and one more New Zealand rating was promoted to warrant rank. Consideration has also been given to a scheme for promotion of exceptional young New Zealand ratings to commissioned rank. 8. In accordance with an agreement with the Admiralty, 30 New Zealand ratings have recently proceeded to England to serve in the Royal Navy on an interchange basis for approximately three years. 9. The health and discipline of the ships' companies have been satisfactory.