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2. Units of the British Pacific Fleet. —Four ships of the British Pacific Fleet visited New Zealand for the purpose of goodwill cruises and refits between 25th May, 1946, and 25th July, 1946. They were the cruiser H.M.S. " Euryalis," the sloops H.M.S. " Alacrity," and H.M.S. " Opossum," and the frigate H.M.S. " Whitesand Bay." 3. Visits paid by Allied Vessels. —The French Sloop "La Grandiere," commanded by Captain La Haye, paid a goodwill visit to New Zealand ports in February of this year. She arrived in Auckland from Papeete on the sth February, 1947, and visited Wellington on 11th February, thence to Dunedin and Southern Sounds, and sailed finally from New Zealand on 24th February, 1947. 4. The United States Aircraft Repair Tender " Onslow " paid a visit to Wellington for five days from 25th February, 1947, to Ist March, 1947, and on the 12th June, 1946, the United States L.S.T. 219 arrived in Wellington for the purpose of transporting Japanese internees back to Japan. 5. United States Naval Antarctic Expedition.—The visits eliciting the greatest public interest were those of the units of the United States Naval Antarctic Expedition, commanded by Rear-Admiral Richard E. Byrd, U.S.N. 6. U.S.S. " Merrick," cargo ship, arrived in Port Chalmers on 21st February under tow from the Ice Breaker, U.S.S. " North Wind," and in company with U.S.S. " Yancey." She had suffered damage to her rudder while negotiating the ice-pack. Temporary repairs were effected, and she sailed from Port Chalmers for the United States on 21st March, 1947. 7. U.S.S. " Mount Olympus," the flagship of the expedition, under the command of Rear-Admiral Cruzen, U.S.N., and with Rear-Admiral Byrd on board, arrived in Wellington on 7th March for the purpose of liberty and recreation to personnel. She was accompanied by the Ice Breaker " Burton Island " and the " North Wind." The vessels remained in Wellington to 15th March, 1947. 8. The submarine U.S.S. " Sennett,'*' under the command of Commander J. B. Icenhower, U.S.N., paid a short visit to Wellington from 11th February to 16th February, 1947. SECTION Y. —H.M.N.Z.S. " PHILOMEL " Change of Command Captain C. R. V. Pugh, C.8.E., R.N., assumed duties of Naval Officer in Charge,, and Captain Superintendent of the Dockyard on 20th June, 1946, in succession to Captain D. A. Bingley, 0.8. E., R.N. H.M.N.Z.S. " Philomel " (Ship) 2. During the year H.M.N.Z.S. " Philomel" (ship) was stripped of all valuable and useful fittings and relics and handed over to the War Assets Realization Board for disposal. It was with regret, particularly amongst the older personnel, that the old ship and her associations were parted from the Naval Base. Welfare and General Amenities 3. The Base library has proved of immense value to the ship's company, and the services of a trained librarian have been taken full advantage of. The National Library Service has supplied an excellent stock of books, including a very useful technical section.4. The gymnasium and cinema, canteen, and Y.M.C.A. were all used extensively during the year, and the facilities available for ratings spending their leisure in the Base have proved popular. A branch of the post-office was opened towards the end of 1946, and its operation under the Post and Telegraph Department is a very satisfactory arrangement.

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