N.Z. NAVAL FORCES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1927, Page 4

N.Z. NAVAL FORCES

BECEriTfXO .SATISFAC TORY

COALMODORI"s ANNUAL RKPORT

WELLINGTON, Aug. 2

'1 he annual report of the Comino'lero commanding the New Zealand Station was presenled to l’arliament to-day. The present c;.apposition of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy consists of H..M. Ships Diomede. Dunedin. Philomel (a non-going depot ship and imining establishment), the t raw lei, Wakaluir.i, and tile oiler, llneula, and there are 299 active service ratings u ho have betn recruited in New Zetland serving in the S--.\ Zealand Division. Recruiting hero has continued to he satisfactory. k!o far a--

seamen, boys and stokers are concerned there is no shortage of applicants, and it is possible to select the best. The number of . artisan and artificer candidates is, however, not so satisfactory, and there is inclined to be an insufficoncy of competent and experienced workmen. This is doubtless due to the opportunities which are open to skilled men on shore. The health and discipline of the ships’ companies have been excellent. The facilities at the naval base have been expanded to some extent, blit it is essential that sooner or later steps must be taken to obtain a larger area of land and to build a shore establishment to replace 11.M.5. Philomel, and the matter is now under consideration. The report states that a most satisfactory feature of the Reserve is the Cass D at Auckland, which has during the last year been increased from two to three companies. The officers and men are keen, and this is reflected in their state of efficiency. They carry out their seagoing training in one of the cruisers, hut with the arrival of 11.. M. Trawler AVakakura on the station it is now possible to carry out move intensive training, and periodical cruises are made in her. the reserve men actually working the ship themselves with a nucleus of active service ratings. 'lbis enables them to have first-hand experience in seamanship. gunnery and mine sweeping. Commodore Bwithy adds: ”1 feel that the extension of Class D ul the Reserve to other parts of the Dominion will he equally successful, and I strongly recommend it.”