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V, Proceedings. (a) H.M.S. " Dunedin." H.M.S. " Dunedin," on completion of her refit in England and exchange of the loan personnel, left Chatham on the 9th June, 1927, and after calling at Bermuda, Jamaica, Panama, the Marquesas, and Tahiti, arrived at Auckland on 3rd August, where she remained, giving leave to New Zealand ratings until 20th August, 1927. After carrying out gunnery and torpedo exercises in the Hauraki Gulf she left for a cruise to the South Island on 12th September, calling at Paterson Inlet, Dunedin, Timaru, and thence proceeding to Auckland, arriving 11th October. On 11th October, 1927, Captain L. V. Wells, D.5.0., R.N., relieved Captain J. S. M. Ritchie, R.N., in command. 2. On 17th October H.M.S. " Dunedin " rejoined H.M.S. " Diomede" off Lyttelton, and in company with her carried out gunnery and torpedo exercises from Akaroa, after completion of which both ships arrived at Wellington, 20th October, 1927. 3. On 25th October, 1927, I transferred my broad pendant to H.M.S. " Dunedin," and Captain Wells took command of H.M.S. " Diomede." 4. While at Wellington the ship's company carried out the annual musketry course at Trentham. 5. On 23rd November, 1927, H.M.S. " Dunedin," with H.M.S. " Diomede " in company, sailed for Auckland, exercises being carried out en route, and again in the Huaraki Gulf from 28th November to Bth December. Christmas leave was given on return to Auckland on completion of exercises. 6. On 12th January, 1928, H.M.S. " Dunedin " proceeded to sea to search for the airmen missing in attempting the trans-Tasman flight, returning again on 16th January. 7. Exercises in the Hauraki Gulf and combined landing operations at Waiwera were carried our from 19th to 26th January, after which H.M.S. " Dunedin " proceeded to Whangaroa, returning thence to Auckland on 4th February. 8. On 16th February, 1928, H.M.S. " Dunedin " sailed from Auckland for a cruise round the coasts of the Dominion, but on the 17th orders were received from the Government to proceed with " Diomede " to Samoa. " Dunedin," with " Diomede "in company, arrived Apia 21st February. On 23rd February armed forces from both ships were landed. On 9th March I proceeded to Wellington in " Dunedin " to report to the New Zealand Government on the situation in Samoa. The Royal Marine detachment remained behind in Samoa until relieved by a Police Force. Dunedin " arrived Wellington on 16th March. (B) H.M.S. " Diomede." H.M.S. " Diomede," under my command and wearing my broad pendant, sailed from Auckland for Suva on 31st March, 1927, where His Excellency the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and the New Hebrides Commission were embarked. Vila, Bushman's Bay in Malekula Island, Tangoa and Hog Harbour in Espiritu Santo Island, and the Island of Tanna were visited, and the ship returned to Suva on 21st April, when His Excellency and the Commission disembarked. 2. On 27th April H.M.S. " Diomede " arrived at Auckland, and remained till 23rd May, from which date until 2nd June gunnery and torpedo exercises were carried out in the Hauraki Gulf. 3. On the 14th June a cruise to the South Pacific islands was commenced, during which the following places were visited : Aitutaki, Bora Bora, Papeete, Moorea, Caroline Island, Penrhyn, Rakahanga, Manahiki, Suvarov, Nassau, Puka Puka, Apia, Pago Pago, Suva, and Nukualofa. On return to Auckland on 16th August annual docking and refit were taken in hand, and on completion on 30th August a cruise was made to the South Island, where Dunedin, Lyttelton, and Akaroa were visited. From the latter port combined exercises with " Dunedin " were carried out, and both ships arrived Wellington on 20th October. 4. On 25th October, 1927, I transferred by broad pendant to H.M.S. " Dunedin," and Captain L. V. Wells, D.5.0., assumed command of H.M.S. " Diomede." 5. While at Wellington the ship's company carried out the annual musketry course at Trentham. 6. On 23rd November " Diomede," in company with " Dunedin," sailed for Auckland. Exercises were carried out en route, and again from 28th November to Bth December in the Hauraki Gulf. On return to Auckland Christmas leave was given. 7. On 13th January, 1928, the ship left Auckland to join " Dunedin " in the search for the airmen who were missing in attempting the trans-Tasman flight, returning again on 16th January. 8. Exercises in the Hauraki Gulf and combined landing operations at Waiwera were carried out from 19th to 26th January. 9. After this period " Diomede " visited Russell, Gisborne, and Napier. On 17th February, while at the latter port, the ship was ordered to rendezvous at sea with " Dunedin," and thence proceed to Samoa, where both ships arrived on 21st February. On 23rd February armed forces from both ships were landed. On 17th March " Diomede § sailed for Suva and thence to Auckland, arriving at the latter port on 2nd April. The Royal Marine detachment remained behind in Samoa until relieved by a Police Force. (C) H.M. Trawler " Wakakura." On 7th May, 1927, H.M.T. " Wakakura," under the command of Commissioned Gunner H. Melville, R.N., having had her defects completed and made ready for sea service, embarked the first batch of two officers and twenty men of the Auckland Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and proceeded to the Hauraki Gulf for a week's training.

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