NAVY'S CHRISTMAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 8

NAVY'S CHRISTMAS.

» HALF COMPLEMENT ON LEAVE NEW YEAR CUSTOM. Christmas is celebrated in the Navy just as it is elsewhere. Those of the ship's companies who are not on leave wi.l be treated to roast turkey, plum pudding and Christmas cake. Half of the strength of the cruisers Dunedin and Diomede and of the training ship Philomel are on leave until December 28. On their return the remainder will have two weeks' leave. This ensures that every man. will have either Christmas or New Year ashore. In addition to this, all men, except those retained for such emergencies as fire, will be granted a day's leave at both Christmas and New Year. For general convenience, Christmas services will be conducte'd on Sunday, by the Rev. H. K. Vickery. Two old naval customs are observed at this time of the year. On Christmas Day a spray of flowering pohutukawa will be hoisted to the masthead. This is the New Zealand substitute for holly, which is used on English stations. On New Year's Eve there is a quaint custom to be observed. The youngest member of each ship's company aboard will Bound sixteen bells at midnight, instead of the usual eight. That is the dignified "official" acknowledgment of the changing of the old year for the new. After ratings have settled down and talked over their holiday adventures, the cruisers are to leave for the gulf about January 22, returning to port for the occasion of the Anniversary Day regatta. Thereafter a more extended training cruise will be made by the flagship and H.M.B. Diomede. During the year 32 new seamen ratings have been recruited, and these will be granted leave over both week-end periods.