SNIPPETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 192, 15 August 1925, Page 14

SNIPPETS.

' FROM A FLEET PAPER. MORE FUN THAN FACT. If one may judge from the tone of the "Mountaineer," the journal of the U.S.s. West Virginia, it would seem that Uncle Sam's men have been enjoying themselves hugely since leaving home—especially in Sydney. Below are a few paragraphs clipped at random from a copy of their breezy little paper published at sea en route to Auckland: —

All other business being disorganised at Santa Barbara by the recent earthquake. Smith (chief printer) has decided to start a kangaroo farm there. That is one of the effects of those Australian "hops." We have heard all the famous fast ones, but Jackson of the barber shop pulled the best one when he asked the mail clerk what the duty was on an Australian girl entering the United States.

The bighearted boys of the sixth division have been losing quite a few cap and collar ornaments lately. No reasons given, but the Sydney girls have an eye for bright work, and we all know that the marines are very accommodating, especially where the girls are concerned.

As in Australia, one of the principal amusements in New Zealand is horse racing. Only those actually present at the track are allowed to bet. New Zealand girls are reported to be very pretty and progressive.

Rotorua, the Yellowstone Park of New Zealand, is 171 miles south-east of Auckland. Here are geysers, boiling mud pools, earthquakes, steam jets, and other natural wonders. Trips will undoubtedly be arranged to this district. Many of the Maori people, native to New Zealand, live in this region.

Right down to the end of time the memory of Sydney will be a bright spot in our minds and hearts, and all Americans, naval and civilian, will profit by our visit here. We offer a toast to Sydney, her hospitality, her beautiful daughters, and to our military leaders who planned the trip. Au revoir.

8251 sailors promised to come back sometime. 7354 sailors kissed their girls at the dock. 50 (more or less) sailors were married. 9846 presents were brought back to the ships by the boys. 5214 c|tiarts of tears were shed at the Circular Quay.

Emu eggs, boomerangs, cigarette cases, opals, pictures, dolls, and everything conceivable were given to the boys as farewell gifts, and our own Patricia fixed us up with some kangaroo leather goods.

7380 black eyes are being treated in the fleet. We have been unable to estimate, the number of broken hearts in the fleet, but we do know of one.