HIGH COUNTRY SAILORS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25389, 12 January 1948, Page 8

HIGH COUNTRY SAILORS

RADIO STATION AT WAIOURU

SHORE ESTABLISHMENT OF N.Z. NAVY "The Press” Special Service

AUCKLAND, January 11. Manning the powerful naval wireless station at Waiouru, a 2600 ft hump on the backbone of the North Island, two officers and 65 ratings of the Royal New Zealand Navy have added a strange rural chapter to a seafaring career. Sixty to 100 miles from the sea, a gaff-rigged mast and its white ensign defines their camp in the monotony of brown tussock below Mount Ruapehu and bluejean collars and bellbottom trousers have become a commonplace for hill country settlers who might normally never see a sailor from one decade to another. The sailor’s adaptability is reflected in the zest with which most of the Waiouru men enjoy their isolated post. Life, they say, has its compensations. Streams are brimming with trout, bushtipped ranges have their deer, there is swimming in the crisp, cool of the dammed creeks, and Taihape is regarded as no mean town for a day or twp’s leave. Volunteers for extended service on the station are not unusual.

Clear, warm days and cool nights give Waiouru an almost perfect summer climate, but even the most enthusiastic ratings can scarcely paint an equally cheerful picture of the bleak winter months. For days on end, men may struggle between the camp and the* receiving station in the teeth of gales of rain. If the weather changes, it may mean a foot of snow and, in duffle coats and seaboots, men .become reminiscent about war-time North Russian convoys. The Y.M.C.A. and the canteen work overtime to provide diversion to fill in the idle hours between watches. In recent months the camp has become even more of a self-contained community. Army mess and recreation huts have been converted by naval shipwrights into attractive, modernlyequipped flats and 11 of the men now have their wives and families comfortably established within the perimeter. For a rental of 30s a week, which includes electric power and lighting and wood for winter firing, they live more cheaply and often under infinitely better conditions than could be obtained in the city. Welcome From Settlers Settlers have given the sailors a generous welcome. The men roam at will over the countryside on tramps or shooting expeditions, no restrictions are imposed on private fishing waters and there is not a car-owner for miles around who is not prepared to take a load of ratings on his trips- to neighbouring towns. Waiouru has also become a great place for hobbies. One man breeds dogs, several are keen amateur photographers with their own darkroom and, in a section of the Y.M.C.A. set aside as a workroom, enthusiasts make an array of model aircraft ranging from simple sailplanes to a powered version of America’s ultra-modern “flying wing.” Sport has every opportunity and encouragement. The station fields teams in district cricket and football competitions, there is provision for tennis and there are billiard tables and regular film shows in the Y.M.C.A. But for most of the men the countryside itself offers the best relaxation. They have become keen wanderers. It is not unusual for men to discard week-end leave in the city in order to stalk deer or wild horses and spend a night or two in distant shelter huts of the sparsely-settled highlands. The station’s commanding officer, Communications - Lieutenant W. L. Brewer, M.8.E., D.S.M., R.N.Z.N., was one of its pioneers. He was technical officer when the transmitters and receivers were established in 1942 and more recently assumed command. As a chief petty-officer in H.M.S.- Achilles he was decorated for gallantry in the River Plate action early in the war and was awarded the M.B.E. in the last New Year’s honours list for his work in the development of the Waiouru station.