H.—s.

On the 4th March " Diomede " and " Dunedin " sailed for Napier and New Plymouth respectively, rejoining at Wellington, where the Royal Marine detachments of both ships were landed for their annual training at Trentham Camp. The cruisers sailed in company on the 13th March and carried out exercises in Cook Strait, parting company on the following morning. " Diomede " then visited Dunedin and Lyttelton, and returned to Wellington on the 31st March. A most successful full-powei trial was carried out during the passage from Lyttelton to Wellington. H.M.S. ■■ Dunedin." 12. As stated above, H.M.S. " Dunedin '" was Decommissioned at Chatham on the 26th May, 1932, and rejoined the flag of the Commodore Commanding at Bora Bora on the 20th July, after having been absent from the station since February, 1931. The ship left the United Kingdom on the 7th June, and arrived at Auckland on the Ist August, having called at Gibraltar, Madeira, Jamaica, the Canal Zone, the Galapagos Islands, Nukuhiva, and Bora Bora. Every opportunity was taken to exercise the ship's company at the various drills and evolutions on the outward passage, and greal benefit was derived by all concerned. " Dunedin " carried out exercises in the llauiaki (Mill from the .'list August to the 12th September by herself, and from the 13tli to the 20th September in company with "Diomede." I inspected the ship on the 17th and 18th September, and found her clean and efficient. Dunedin " left Auckland for Napier on the 3rd October, subsequently visiting Wellington, Nelscin. t he West (Oast Sounds. Stew ait Island, Dunedin, Akaroa, and Lyttelton, returning to Auckland on the 9th December. The ship exercised landing parties and drills in the Hauraki Gulf from the 31st January to the 15th Kebruarv, joining Diomede "in her gunnery and torpedo practices during the latter part of the period. " Dunedin " left Auckland for her autumn cruise cm the 21st February, visiting Russell, Whangaroa, New Plymouth, Wellington, Timarii. and Akaroa. VI. Proceedings (H.M. Sloops). L 3. 11. M. Ships •Veronica'" (Commander H. L. Morgan, C.M.G., D.5.0., Royal Navy) and "' Laburnum " (Commander R. Etamsbotham, Royal Navy) arrived at Wellington on the 12th April, having spent the early part of the month visiting various ports on the east coast of the South Island. Musketry was carried out at Trentham Camp, and on the 17th May the ships sailed for Auckland. H.M.S. " Veronica sailed for a two and a half months' cruise in the Pacific Islands on the 20th June, and visited various ports in New Caledonia, the New Hebrides, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, and finally the Fiji Islands, returning to Auckland on the 6th September. Whilst at Funafuti a week was devoted to surveying the Ava i de Lape entrance to the Lagoon, which had been unfavourably reported on. H.M.S. " Laburnum" sailed for the islands on the 13th June, visiting Suva, Apia, Pago Pago, several islands in the lower Cook and Fiji Groups, Nukualofa, and Vavau, returning to Auckland on the 19th September. His Excellency the Administrator of Western Samoa and the Secretary of Native Affairs embarked during the period 24th 30th .lime for the purpose of visiting various ports in the Tokolau Group, and His Excellency the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific embarked during the period 6th I Ith September in order to visit Nukualofa and Vavau. While at Nukualofa Her Majesty the Queen of Tonga was invested with the Order of Dame of the British Empire by His Excellency the High Commissioner. Captain William L. Jackson, D.5.0., Royal Navy, relieved Commander Horace L. Morgan, C.M.G.. D.5.0., Royal Navy, in command of H.M.S. "Veronica " on the 3rd October, 1932. " Veronica " and " Laburnum " sailed from Auckland on the 18th December and the 17th January, respectively, for their usual cruises in New Zealand waters, and were both at Wellington on the concluding date of this report. VII. H.M.S. '■ Philomel." 11. H.M.S. "Philomel'' (Commander Edward L. Berthon, D.8.C., Royal Navy) continues to act as training and depot ship at Devonport, Auckland. The prolongation of the life of the ship is still proving satisfactory, and she may be expected to remain serviceable for several yea rs. I inspected the ship in Mav, 11132, and again in February, 1933, and found everything to my entire satisfaction. VIII. H.M.S. "Wakakiha." 15. As stated above, 11.M.5. " Wakakura " (Commissioned Gunner Thomas E. Brooker, Royal Navy) has Keen employed during the year almost exclusively in connection with the seagoing training of officers and men of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. She has also co-operated in gunnery practices by towing targets. IX. R.F.A. " Ni ,TLA." 16. R.F.A. " Nucula " (Mr. George A. Atwood, Master) was in commission from the 31st Mayto the 26th September, and made two voyages to San Pedro, California, for the purpose of replenishing stocks of oil fuel. She also refuelled H.M.S. " Dunedin " at Nukuhiva, and H.M.S. " Diomede " at Bora Bora. •

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