THE AUSTRALASIAN NAVAL RESERVE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13586, 7 May 1906, Page 7

THE AUSTRALASIAN NAVAL RESERVE.

(Pir United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 1. The Commander-in-chief of tlio Australian squadron lias furnished the Defence Department with a report on various matters concerning the squadron. Tlio men enrolled in the permanent forcc are:— Now South Wales, 148'; Victoria, 109; New Zealand, 107; Queensland, 58; South Australia, <9; Tasmania, 70; West Australia, 24;— total, 52a. Of this number, 267 are serving on the Challenger, 103 on the Pioncor, 90 on the Psyche, and 65 on tlio Pegasus. In a note attached to the report Vice-admiral Fawkes says:—"The recruiting of Australian seamen ie, of necessity very gradual, and it is not, possible "to at once fill up to the full numbers authorised until those already serving have received sufficient training to allow of them replacing Home-trained men: also, as (lie men of the permanent force complete their fiveyear engagements, they are freo to join tho Australian branch of tho Royal Naval reserve. It will, therefore, lxs seen that, i.i order lo prevent subsequent excess of the numbers authorised it is inadvisable

3 enter more Royal Naval reserve men rom other sources."

The warship Pioneer arrives here on tho :b, when the Pegasus will leave for the iji Islands.