H-— 5,

1925. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND NAVAL FORCES. REPORT OF THE COMMODORE COMMANDING THE NEW ZEALAND STATION, FOR THE PERIOD 1st APRIL, 1924, TO 31st MARCH, 1925.

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

R E P O R T. The Hon. the Minister of Defence. Sir, — H.M.S. " Dunedin," 16th May, 1925. I have the honour to submit the following report in regard to the Naval Forces of the Dominion, covering the period Ist April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. I. Proceedings of H.M.S. " Chatham." 1. On the Ist April, 1924, H.M.S. "Chatham" was at Auckland, whence she proceeded to Wellington in order to be present for the visit of the battle-cruisers " Hood " and " Repulse," and H.M.A.S. " Adelaide." She sailed for Auckland on the 7th May, and was present at that port during the visit of the Special Service Squadron. 2. On the 10th May, H.M.S. " Chatham " ceased duty as flagship of the New Zealand Division, and was replaced by H.M.S. " Dunedin." The transfer of ratings and stores between the two ships took several days to complete, and on the 27th May H.M.S. " Chatham " sailed from Auckland for the East Indies Station, calling at Noumea, Thursday Island, Batavia, and Singapore. On arrival at Colombo, H.M.S. " Chatham" became flagship of the East Indies Squadron, relieving H.M.S. " Southampton," which proceeded to England. 11. Proceedings of H.M.S. " Dunedin." 3. On becoming flagship of the New Zealand Division, H.M.S. Dunedin " was docked and refitted at Auckland after her long voyage from England, and sailed on the 16th June for the annual visit to the islands of the South Pacific, which are included in the New Zealand Station. The places visited were Eaoul, Nukualofa, Vavau, Apia, Pago Pago, Rarotonga, Niue, Suva, Levuka, and Lautoka. The new flagship of the New Zealand Division was most hospitably received at all places, and was viewed by large numbers of Natives at the ports visited. The cruise was of much benefit, and every opportunity was taken of carrying out drills, gunnery, and torpedo exercises. 4. On departure from Fiji, H.M.S. " Dunedin " proceeded on a visit to Australian ports, arriving at Jervis Bay on the 9th September, 1924-. Various exercises were carried out with H.M.A. ships, which were of mutual benefit. Subsequently H.M.S. " Dunedin " visited Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart, returning to Lyttelton on the 3rd. November. The greatest kindness and courtesy was extended to the flagship of the New Zealand Division at the various ports visited. lam convinced of the value of an annual exchange of visits between H.M.A. ships and that of the New Zealand Division ; such visits promote an interchange of ideas, and enable combined exercises to be carried out which are highly beneficial to the attainment of efficiency.

I —H. 5,