H.—s.

H.M.S. " Diomede." 27. On Ist April, 1935, H.M.S. "Diomede" (Captain C. M. Graham, A.D.C., R.N.) was at Wellington carrying out the annual musketry course at Trentham Camp. 28. On 11th April H.M. ships " Diomede " and " Leith " escorted M.Y. " Rangitata," conveying the Governor-General designate, into Wellington Harbour. 29. H.M.S. " Diomede " sailed on 12th April for Auckland, where the ship was docked, stored, &c., and a week's gunnery and torpedo exercises carried out prior to sailing for the annual cruise to the Pacific Islands. 30. On 18th June " Diomede " sailed for the Pacific Islands and visited Nukualofa, Vavau, Rarotonga, Moorea, Papeete, Bora Bora, Manahiki, Danger Island, Pago Pago, Apia, and Suva, returning to Auckland on 23rd August. 31. On 2nd October " Diomede " left Auckland for a cruise to New Zealand ports, but after visiting Napier, Picton, and Wellington, the Commanding Officer received orders to proceed to the East Indies Station for special service under the Imperial Government. 32. Diomede " left Wellington on 16th October and arrived Auckland on 17th October. .Here the ship was docked, stored, and completed to full complement. On the 20th October she sailed for Aden, where she arrived on 11th November, having called at Port Darwin, Singapore, and Colombo for supplies. 33. From 11th November, 1935, to 23rd February, 1936, H.M.S. " Diomede " was at Aden under the orders of Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station. 34. On 23rd February " Diomede " sailed for United Kingdom and arrived at Sheerness on 12th March. 35. H.M.S. " Diomede " paid off on 31st March and H.M.S. " Achilles " (Captain I. G. Glennie) commissioned the same day for service in the New Zealand Division. VI. Proceedings (H.M. Sloops). 36. H.M.S. " Leith " (Captain 0. Bevir, R.N.) was at Wellington on Ist April, 1935, completing the annual musketry course at Trentham Camp. The ship returned to Auckland on 14th April and prepared for her annual cruise to the Pacific Islands. 37. " Leith " sailed for the Pacific Islands on 11th June, and visited Niue, Pago Pago, Suva, and ports in the Fiji Group, Apia, the Tokelau Islands, Nassau, Suvarov, Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora, Mauke, and Aitutaki, returning to Auckland on 20th September. 38. During the remainder of the year the ship has visited the following New Zealand ports :— Wellington. Wanganui. Auckland. Gisborne. Akaroa. Whangarei. Tauranga. Napier. New Plymouth. Whangaroa. Tolaga Bay. Lyttelton. Hokianga. She also visited the Chatham Islands. At present she is at Wellington, where her ship's company are undergoing the annual musketry course at Trentham Camp. 39. H.M.S. " Wellington " (Commander J. B. E. Hall, R.N.) arrived in New Zealand on 13th May, and after a short visit to Wellington proceeded to Auckland, arriving on 20th May. The ship remained at Auckland until 15th July, when she sailed for the Pacific Islands, visiting Vila, Bushman's Bay, Nauru, Phoenix Islands, Funafuti, Rotumah, Lautoka, and Suva, returning to Auckland on 21st September. 40. During the remainder of the year the ship has visited the following New Zealand ports : — Wellington. Dunedin. Tauranga. Picton. Akaroa. Greymouth. New Plymouth. Half Moon Bay (Stewart Island). Bluff. Tokomaru Bay. Auckland. Oamaru. West Coast Sounds. Nelson. Lyttelton. She is at present at Wellington in company with the remainder of the New Zealand Squadron for the annual musketry course at Trentham Camp. VII. H.M.S. " Philomel." 41. H.M.S. " Philomel " (Commander B. C. B. Brooke, R.N.) continues to act as training and depot ship at Devonport, Auckland. Commander Brooke will be relieved on 27th April, 1936, by Commander C. B. Tinley, R.N. VIII. H.M.S. " Wakakura." 42. H.M.S. " Wakakura " (Commissioned Gunner A. Garden, R.N.) : A large sum of money has been spent on this ship to ensure her maintenance in first-class condition and to increase the efficiency and comfort of the officers and men of her crew and reservists under training. As there is only one ship to carry out the training of the whole of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, the " Wakakura " has been continually employed. 43. The ship is in good condition both as to her hull and machinery, and the improvements effected are most satisfactory.

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