RELIEF NAVAL CREWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 259, 2 November 1931, Page 8

RELIEF NAVAL CREWS.

ARRIVAL BY RUAHINE.

FUN ON THE VOYAGE.

HEARTY WELCOME TO AUCKLAND

As the New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Ruahine drew alongside the Queen's wharf yesterday morning; her rails were lined with British sailors, to the number of 181, who have come out as relief crews for the sloops Veronica and Laburnum. Ninety of them-joined H.M.s. Veronica to-day," and 91 11.M.5. Laburnum. "., " '

Tlie officers.were Commander R. Earnsbotham, wlio will take charge of H.M.s. Laburnum, ajid Lieut. R. C. Lewis, who will join the same ship. Two warrant officers, Messrs. R. J. D. Bald and R. S. Tolljday, will join the Laburnum and Veronica respectively. In addition there were 1C chief petty officers. •

"The nien-o'-warsinen were the life and eoul of the ship, and were always ready and willing to entertain," said a first-class passenger, who knows the Navy well. "They arc a fine crowd, and I feel sure they will make many friends and become popular on the New Zealand station." "Daddy of the Ship." Some idea of the jollity which had characterised the • Ruahine's run from Home could be gathered as she was being' berthed. The sailors lined the ship rails and greeted friends on the.wharf in the heartiest, manner. One passenger, Mr. J. Mailer, aged 90, came in for special attention, as he came down the Ruahine's gangway. The whole body, of men cheered him to the echo. Mr. Mailer, who was affectionately called the "daddy of the ship," came to New Zealand from Scotland- 60 years ago, and lias been Home once every year for the past 15 years. Other passengers who left the ship were also treated to good-natured chaff, which they and the large crowd of Aucklanders on the wharf heartily enjoyed. I

Out in the stream, where the Ruahine was anchored for medical and Customs inspection, passing ferry boat passengers cheered the arrivals, who responded vigorously. Several times men returning to their ships at the Devon port base passed in the ferries, and again compliments wcxe exchanged. .

' On the voyage from London, in addition to some of the men participating in the ship's games and entertainments, a naval sports programme avus carried out. The relief crew for the Vcroniwi was pitted against the Laburnum's, and the. contests-roused spectators to great enthusiasm. When the : points were added up at the end of the voyage it was fo'und that the Veronica had beaten tlic Laburnum by a "slight margin." "There were some fine goes, and the Veronica's crew just beat us by a small margin, owing to a slight roll of the ship and slippery decks on one occasion," said Commander Ramsbottom with a laugh, "but'we will get even with them tßc next time."

, ' Some Ratings Married Here. Several of the ratings have served on the New Zealand station previously, ami one or two married Auckland girls and intend to settle here when their time is up. Others who have been here before ''.have .girls ashore and intend to get hitched 'up here," said a chief petty officer.

.Soon after Dr. Russell, the port health officer, had boarded -the Ruahine yesterday mormng a naval pinnace put out from the base and two lieut.-comman-ders, representing the ships and officers on- station, went aboard and paid the New Zealand division's respects to the hew commander of the Laburnum.