H.—5.
1937. NEW ZEALAND.
NEW ZEALAND NAVAL FORCES. REPORT OF THE FIRST NAVAL MEMBER OF THE NAVAL BOARD FOR THE PERIOD 1st APRIL, 1936, TO 31st MARCH, 1937.
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency the Governor-General.
REPORT.
Navy Office, Wellington, 30th April, 1937. The Honourable the Minister of Defence. I have the honour to address to you the following report on the Naval Forces oi the Dominion and the proceedings of the New Zealand Station during the year Ist April, 1936, to 31st March, 1937. Section I. —State. On Ist April, 1937, the New Zealand Division consisted of— HMS "Achilles" (broad pendant of the Commodore Commanding New Zealand Station); H.M.s! "Dunedin," arrived Portsmouth 29th March (to be relieved by H.M.S. " Leander ' on 30th April 1937) ; H.M.S. " Philomel," non-seagoing training and depot ship at Devonport, Auckland ; HMS " Wa'kakura "'(trawler) ; R.F.A. " Nucula " (Squadron oiler). _ _ 2 Two escort vessels, H.M. Ships " Leith " and " Wellington," are maintained on the Station by the Imperial Government under the orders of the Commodore Commanding. Section 11. 3 On 31st March 1937 there were 6 officers and 588 ratings borne on the active list who had been entered or recruited in New Zealand. An overall increase of 53 New Zealand ratings borne as compared with the numbers on 31st March, 1936. One officer and 20 Imperial ratings had been accepted for permanent service in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. The ships companies were completed by 68 officers and 526 ratings loaned from the Imperial Service. 4 The ratings entered during the year included 40 boys for the Seaman and Communications Branches, 30 Stokers, and 8 ratings tor miscellaneous branches, making a total of 78. Recruiting has continued to be very satisfactory in the Seaman and Stoker Branches, but some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining suitably qualified skilled tradesmen for the Artificer Branches. 5 Thirty-four New Zealand ratings were discharged during the year. 6. A large number of New Zealand ratings has been sent during the year to establishments of the Royal Australian Navy, and a limited number to Royal Naval Establishments in the United Kingdom, for special courses of instruction in technical subjects. 7 Another batch of 30 New Zealand ratings has been sent to England to serve m the Royal Navy'on an interchange basis for approximately three years. The total number of New Zealand entries serving under this scheme is now 90. 8 The health and discipline of the ships' companies have been satisfactory. 9.' Two New Zealand ratings have been promoted to warrant rank during the year, one to Warrant Engineer and one to Warrant Electrician.
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