COLONIAL BLUEJACKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 259, 1 November 1893, Page 2

COLONIAL BLUEJACKETS.

AUSTRALASIAN SEAMEN FOR THE FLEET.

RECRUTING FROM THE COLONIES.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Wellington, this day

H.M.s. Curacoa shipped a seaman of Wellingbon lasb We6k, bhe first inebance of the kind known. This is an interesting fact, as it seems designed to popularise the fleet in Australian waters, lb appears bhab representations in support of this movement Were made some bime since to officers of tbe squadron by the Premier, and the admission of boys as apprentices to the colonial men-of-war has been going On for some time past. The requirements Of bhe service are thab bhe lads shall be of good character, the necessary age and physique, and able to read and write. Strange to say, notwithstanding the robustness of the New Zealand youths, the candidates mostly fail to come up to the required chest measurement. In one case, oub ot eighb lads who presenbed themselves at one time, no less than seven were rejected from this cause. Having satisfactorily passed bheir probation on board ship, the lads are senb to England for bwo years' service on a training ship. Ab tho end of that time, they have bhe righb to elect to serve the whole of their term, 12 years, on the Australian Station. As to the new rule permitting naval officers in command of tho Australian Squadron to ship colonial seamen for service in these waters, it transpires thac the Governmenb have nob yeb received advice of ib through bhe usual channel — bhe Agent-General -- from tho Secretary of State. As, however, the naval authorities have evidently had instructions from the Admiralty official, instruction will no doubb presently be received by the various colonial Governments. The drafting into the service of colonial seamen and apprentices will no doubb popularise the fleet, and in time give it an Australasian character thab ■ib ab present lacks.