The Australian Squadron.

Proposci ilearraiigemoiit

H.M.S. K o yal Arthur, the present flagship of the Australian b(]Uadron, upon being replaced by H.M.S. Euryalus i n March next, will return to England with her present ship's company. H.M.S., Katoomba* will remain under the new agreement, and will continue as the guard ship. Most of her crew will be relieved by otlicers and men coming ou t by H M.S. Diadem and H.M.S. Scylla. H.M.S. - Penguin, now in New Zealand waters, engaged in ,sui-v e v work, will also remain on the Australasian station under the new agreement.

H.M.S. Torch will remain on the Australian station for some time, at any rate, ..but her ultimate movements are not yet definitely known, it is n o t likely, however, 'that she will permanently remain o n this station under the ne w agreement. Ine Torch has been engaged in survey work in the Solomon Island Group.

H.M.S. Archer h a s left for England with her ship's company. Her commission expired some time ago, and her movements after she arrives in England have not transpired. She will proceed ll o me via Albany. The Archer .is to be relieved by H.M.S. lVche, due in a few weeks.

H.M.S. Karrakatta (which is to be replaced by H.M.S. Jlutine, due in Australia from China about the middle of December), has also left for "England, and will proceed home via Torres Strai;.;i. IT.M.S. Phoebe' hus almost completed her term ( .n the Australian station, and. will probably return to England. H.M.S. Sparrow is not likely to return to England or to remain on the Australian station under the I new order of things. The opinion is expressed in naval circles that she will either be disposed o f locally or handed over to the'Coin[monwealth Government for use as a training ship. Her commission has already expired, and in ail probability her oflicers and crew will return Homo by mail steamer. H.M.S. Wallaroo will remain on the Australian station, and will recommission as a drill ship. A relief crew is expected to arrive by H.M.S. Diadem and H".M.S. Scylla. H.M.S. Taurang'a, which for some years past has been in reserve, is to be commissioned under the new agreement as a drill ship, and a new crew for her will arrive by H.M.S. IMadem and H.M.S. Scylla. 11.M.5. Ringaroonia will pass into reserve, and her crew will return Home by H.M.S. Diadem and H.M.S. Scylla. She is not one of the ships under tire now agreement. H.M.S. Mildura is one of the vessels under the new agreement. Her commission has expired, and she will re-commission as a di ill ship. A new crew is due by H.M.S. Diadem and H.M.S. Scylla. H.M.S. Lizard will remain on the station for some time. She is at present on the New Z-ealand division of the station, and is aibout to proceed on a cruise to the outlying islands, which wjll occupy about ten days or a fortnight. H.M.S.Dart, a very o'W vessel, and practically, valueless, will probably be disposed of locally. She was recently thoroughly examined in dock -as to her seaworthiness, and as a result of the survey her orders to proceed to the Solomon islands for survey work were cancelled. She has for some months past been engaged in surveying inside the . Great Barrier reef .on the Northern Coast of Queensland, •making calls, at frequent intervals at Queensland ports. She i<s due at Sydney on 10th." January. It is anticipated by the Admiralty authorities that orders will be received to pay off the crew and sell the ship. H.M.S. Pylades, which relieves H.M.S. Phoebe-on. the. New Zealand division of the station, is one of the vessels "outside of the agreement and her future movements are not definitely known.,