H.—s.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND NAVAL FORCES. REPORT OF THE COMMODORE COMMANDNG THE NEW ZEALAND STATION FOR THE PERIOD 1st APRIL, 1935, TO 31st MARCH, 1936.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

REPORT.

The Honourable the Minister of Defence. Sib, — H.M.S. " Dunedin," at Wellington, 20th April, 1936. I have the honour to address to you the following report on the Naval Forces of the Dominion and the proceedings of the New Zealand Station during the year Ist April, 1935, to 31st March, 1936. I. State. 1. On Ist April, 1936, the New Zealand Division consisted of — H.M.S. " Dunedin " (broad pendant of Commodore Commanding New Zealand Station) : H.M.S. " Achilles," commissioned 31st March, 1936, in England : H.M.S. " Philomel," non-seagoing training and depot ship at Devonport, Auckland : H.M.S. " Wakakura," trawler : R.F.A. " Nucula," squadron oiler. 2. Two sloops, H.M. ships " Leith " and " Wellington," are maintained on the station by the Imperial Government under the orders of the Commodore Commanding. 11. Personnel (Active Service). 3. On the 31st March, 1936, there were 535 ratings on the active list who had been recruited in New Zealand, and 22 Imperial ratings who had been accepted for permanent service in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. The ships' companies were completed by 516 ratings loaned from the Imperial Service. 4. The ratings entered during the year included 40 boys for the Seaman and Communications Branches, 28 Stokers, and 11 ratings for miscellaneous branches, making a total of 79. Recruiting has continued to be very satisfactory, and no difficulty has been experienced in obtaining recruits of the requisite standard in sufficient numbers. 5. Twenty-three New Zealand ratings were discharged during the year. 6. A large number of New Zealand ratings were sent during the year to establishments in Australia and a limited number to the United Kingdom for special courses of instruction in technical subjects. 7. By arrangement with the Admiralty the Naval Board have made provision on the general lines of a scheme in force in the Imperial Naval Service whereby young New Zealand Seamen and Engine-room Artificers may be considered for promotion to commissioned rank in the Royal Navy. One candidate having passed through the preliminary stages provided for by the regulations has been appropriated to an Imperial ship. He will appear before the Fleet Selection Board in about April, 1937. 8. Another batch of 30 New Zealand ratings has been sent to England to serve in the Royal Navy on an interchange basis for approximately three years. The total number of New Zealand entries serving under this scheme is now sixty. 9. The health and discipline of the ships' companies have been satisfactory.