H—s

Officers and ratings continue to show considerable keenness in sea training and 6 officers and 99 ratings from all four Divisions embarked for extended training in H.M.N.Z. ships for the period of the exercises in Australian waters during October and November, 1949. An additional 14 officers and 111 ratings underwent annual sea training during 1949-50. The Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago Divisions have made good use of the divisional motor-launch, and this form of training is again proving of great benefit to the R.N.Z.N.V.R. The Naval Board have decided that the R.N.Z.N.V.R. organization will in future l undertake the part-time training of all men entered as compulsory naval servicemen. In consequence, recruiting within the R.N.Z.N.V.R. has been greatly reduced since October, 1949. With the introduction of compulsory military training, the question of instructional staff and accommodation of the Divisions has been under review. Approval has"been given by the Government to appoint one Officer Instructor to each Division, and to date officers have been appointed to Auckland and Otago. It is hoped, as further officers become available, to make appointments to Wellington and Canterbury. At the present time the instructional staff to each Division also includes two Chief or Petty Officers who have been drafted from the Regular service. The headquarters buildings in Christchurch and Auckland are now considered to be inadequate in size to cope with the anticipated increase of numbers to be trained and the additional branches in which training is to be undertaken. The Naval Board are at present investigating the possibility of acquiring a site for new headquarters at Christchurch and extending the existing building in Auckland. Royal New Zealand Naval Supplementary Reserve 29. The strength of this Reserve on the 31st March, 1950, was 264 officers. This Reserve comprises Officers who held temporary commissions in the Navy during the late war and who desire to maintain a connection with the Royal New Zealand Navy. Members of this Reserve state they are prepared to be called up for naval service under a Royal Proclamation in the event of an emergency. Royal New Zealand Naval Emergency Reserve 30. This Reserve, which was inaugurated in 1949, is open to ratings on similar lines to the Supplementary Reserve for officers. The strength of the Reserve on 31st March, 1950, was 78. Navy League Sea Cadets 31. The Sea Cadets movement is officially recognized by the Naval Board and assistance is afforded whenever possible. During the past year a contingent of 2 officers and 16 cadets attended the Empire Sea Cadets Camp in Canada. This visit was an outstanding success, due to the hospitality shown both in camp and on tour in Canada, and the instructive variety of the tour. The New Zealand Sea Cadet Contingent distinguished itself in boat pulling and sailing. The annual summer camp for Sea Cadets was held in " Tamaki," where all facilities, including instructional staff, were made available. In January, 1950, the Auckland unit established a subdivision at King's College, and this subdivision proceeded to "Tamaki" for seven days' training whilst the remainder of the school was undergoing military instruction. Sea Scouts and Rangers 32. Assistance has again been given where possible in the form of naval instruction and organized visits to ships.

5