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5. On 26th June, H.M.S. " Dunedin " left Auckland for a short cruise in the Pacific Islands, the places visited being Nukualofa (Tonga) where the ship was dressed overall on the occasion of the Crown Prince's birthday (4th July), Suva (Fiji), Vila (New Hebrides, English and French Condominium), Noumea (New Caledonia, French), and Norfolk Island (Dependency of New South Wales). At Noumea considerable hospitality was extended to Officers and men both by the Government and civilians, and very friendly feeling was created. The ship left with very definite assurances that another visit would be very welcome and much looked forward to. 6. On the night of leaving Auckland, 26th-27th June, a New Zealand rating, Able Seaman C. H. Hewson, was lost overboard. This tragic occurrence was fully investigated by a Court of Inquiry, the minutes of which were forwarded to the Naval Board. The finding of the Court was that deceased was drowned at sea, the manner in which he fell overboard being impossible to determine. 7. Opportunity was taken on passage to Nukualofa to fix the correct position of certain of the Kermadec Islands which had been reported to the Marine Department, Wellington, as being incorrectly charted. H.M.S. " Dunedin " returned to Auckland on Ist August. 8. H.M.S. " Veronica " sailed for western group of Pacific Islands on 4th June, calling at Suva, Rotumah (Fiji), Funafuti, Vaitupu, Nui (Ellice Group), Beru, Tabiteuea, Tarawa, Maraki, Ocean Island (Gilbert Group), Tulagi, Gizo, Faisi, Royalist Harbour (Solomon Islands Protectorate), Vila, Bushman's Bay, Rano Island (New Hebrides), Vavau (Tonga). 9. Arrangements had been made for the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific to embark in H.M.S. " Veronica " for this cruise in order to visit the outlying islands of his commission, but on medical advice he was obliged to cancel his tour. 10. At the request of the Fijian Government, conveyed through the Hydrographer of the Navy, H.M.S. " Veronica " carried out a survey of Nambouwalou anchorage, where dangerous shoals had been reported, before returning to Auckland, at which place she arrived on 27th August for the relief of her Commanding Officer. 11. The eastern group of islands was cruised in by H.M.S. "Laburnum" who visited Vavau (Tonga), Pago Pago (American Samoa), Danger Island, Rakahanga, Penrhyn, Hervey Island, Rarotonga, Niue (Cook Islands), Moorea, Papeete (Society Islands, French), Apia, Tokelau Islands (Western Samoa), Suva, Wakaya, Vanua Mbalavu, Lautoka (Fiji), Niuafou Island, Nukualofa (Tonga). 12. During passage from Vavau to Pago Pago, H.M.S. " Laburnum's " foretopmast carried away during heavy weather and, by permission of the Governor, effective repairs were carried out in the United States Naval Base. While at Pago Pago the United States Expedition to observe the eclipse at Niuafou arrived in U.S.S. " Tanager " and tentative arrangements were made for their co-operation with the New Zealand Solar Eclipse Expedition. 13. H.M.S. "Laburnum" was able to render assistance to the American yacht " Zaca " (Mr. Templeton Crocker) at Rarotonga when, as the result of her capstan breaking down, she had to slip her cable to avoid dragging on to the reef. 14. The Administrator of Western Samoa embarked in H.M.S. " Laburnum " on her arrival at Apia and made a tour of the Tokelau Islands, visiting Atafu, Nuku Nono, and Fakaofu. 15. At the request of the Administration, also conveyed through the Hydrographer of the Navy, observations were made to determine the exact latitude and longitude of the Western end of Savai'i Island which appeared to be in some doubt. 16. On 27th September, H.M.S. " Laburnum " left Suva with Dr. Adams, Dominion Astronomer, and six other members of the New Zealand Solar Eclipse Expedition on board. She arrived at Niuafou Island on 29th September and landed the party safely, the weather condition for disembarking being, fortunately, ideal. 17. As the result of a merchant ship having struck an unknown obstruction in the Egeria Channel entrance to Nukualofa, H.M.S. " Laburnum " carried out a survey of the channel. The obstruction was located, the necessary warnings were issued, and the area recharted. H.M.S. " Laburnum returned to Auckland on 9th October. 18. During August and the first half of September H.M.S. " Dunedin " cruised in New Zealand waters, visiting the following places : Lyttelton, Timaru, Dunedin, BJufi, Preservation Inlet, George Sound, Dusky Sound, Breaksea Sound, Doubtful Inlet, Acheron Passage, Nelson (via Milford Sound), and Wellington. 19. The officers and ship's company of H.M.S. " Dunedin " were inspected by His Excellency the Governor-General on the 19th September. While at Wellington four officers and 320 men underwent their annual musketry course at Trentham. 20. From the 30th September to the 10th October H.M.S. " Veronica " carried out exercises in the Hauraki Gulf under the command of her new Commanding Officer (Commander Horace L. Morgan, D.5.0., Royal Navy). She returned to Auckland to undergo refit with H.M.S. " Laburnum," which was completed on 24th November. 21. Their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Lady Bledisloe embarked in H.M.S. " Dunedin " for passage from Wellington to Picton on 31st October, and returned in her to Wellington on 4th November. H.M.S. " Dunedin " then proceeded to visit New Plymouth and Napier, returning to Auckland on 21st November. While at Napier H.M.S. " Dunedin " proceeded alongside the breakwater, and fourteen thousand people visited the ship. 22. Further gunnery and torpedo exercises were carried out in the Hauraki Gulf by H.M.S. " Dunedin " with the assistance of H.M.S. " Veronica " and H.M. Trawler " Wakakura " from Ist to sth December. Information was received on 3rd December that a man had been seriously injured

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