§ Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the concern of parents, relations and guardians of sons serving on board His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour" about the harsh conditions of service and the large numbers of punishments awarded, and as this ship commissioned at Chatham two years and four months ago, he will state the approximate dates on which either the ship or the crew will leave the New Zealand station and return to England?
§ Mr. ShakespeareIt is anticipated that the present ship's company of His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour" will leave the New Zealand station in September of this year.
§ Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the causes of the large number of serious offences and heavy punishments on board the surveying vessel His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour"; whether the Admiralty are satisfied with this position; and, as the 15 desertions, 11 breakings out of the ship, and 128 offences of absence over leave, with only 80 seamen and stokers in the first 18 months in New Zealand waters is not a normal state of affairs for a small ship on this station, whether a thorough investigation will be held by a superior court of inquiry with a view to the removal of the causes of discontent?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe Commodore Commanding, New Zealand Station, has already been asked to investigate the 499W hon. Member's allegations, and until this report is received I am not prepared to comment on the state of discipline in this ship.