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5. Advantage lias been taken of the facilities provided for all major outdoor sporting activities, and badminton and indoor basketball in the gymnasium have both found many supporters. Maintenance of Buildings 6. Since the completion of the barracks block very little maintenance has been done inside or out, and, as the barracks have been subject to considerable wear during the war period, a considerable amount of defects have developed and repairs are necessary. Saluting Battery 7. On the occasion of the celebration of the birthday of His Majesty the King gun salutes were re-introduced, and the saluting battery was used for the first time since the outbreak of the war. Medical and Dental 8. The general health of the ship's company has been satisfactory. Two outbreaks of epidemic disease, mumps, and Bornholm's disease occurred during the year. The dental department has been working to full capacity. SECTION VI.—OTHER NAVAL ACTIVITIES Auckland H.M.N.Z.S. " Tamaki."—A total of 290 recruits have entered " Tamaki" since Ist April, 1946. 2. Very satisfactory results have been obtained from training activities, but suitable equipment continues to be in short supply. Accommodation and outdoor recreational facilities are also limited, but proposals are at present under consideration for improvement of the position. 3. A good standard of messing has been maintained. 4. Three major outbreaks of influenza, mumps, and Bornholm's disease caused serious loss of instructional hours and disruption of training schedules during the year. 5. Extended Defence Organization. —Clearance of the German minefield in the Hauraki Gulf was the last active commitment of the Extended Defence Organization, and those duties have now been absorbed by other appointments within the Naval Base. 6. Defensively-equipped Merchant Ships. —The disarmament of both overseas ships and ships on New Zealand Register was proceeded with until this type of work on merchant ships was satisfactorily completed. The D.E.M.S. establishment in Auckland was closed on 31st August, 1946, and remaining commitments in connection with armament, as well as structural alterations, were undertaken by the dockyard departments concerned. The electrical equipment in the D.E.M.S. building, which belongs to the Navy Department, has been maintained by the Base torpedo staff. 7. Fishery-protection Patrol. —One H.D.M.L. was recommissioned in July, 1946, for full-time fishery-protection duties and to co-operate with the Marine Department. The Commanding Officer of the H.D.M.L. was instructed by the Marine Department in the duties of fishery inspection and was issued with a warrant as Inspector of Fisheries. Fishery-inspection patrols, on a programme decided upon with the advice of the Marine Superintendent, have been carried out continuously since July, 1946. During the periods when the H.D.M.L. originally commissioned for these duties has been withdrawn for routine maintenance and leave periods, the patrols have been carried out by the other operational H.D.M.L. On these patrols, the Marine Department have embarked a Fishery Inspector. In the first months of patrols poachers were apprehended, which demonstrated the need for this patrol. Lately the non-apprehension of poachers and the wide berth given to the prohibited areas when visited by the H.D.M.L. have shown the deterrent effect the patrol has.

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