A NAUTICAL VETERAN.

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1913, Page 5

A NAUTICAL VETERAN.

■ ■ ■ . .■» — — Another admirable nautical vetcsr*i, who writes tinder the name of ".Seafarer," contributed recently to "The Press" sonic readable reminiscences of Capt. Fairchild, a veteran who h.as found rest, Where no storms come, .. Where the green swell is in the haven dumb, ' '• And out of the swing of the sea. ' F^irchild had for twenty years New Zealand, notoriety. With character, wit, American accent, .a spice of gnomic malice, and command of the Government picnic steamer, he made for himself a reputation that is still relished. ' Some examples unrecorded by "Seafarer. "-One night Faii-child's steward came aboard the worse for liquor. The old-man said, nothing and helped the' criminal to his bunk. Next morning', wlieir-the steward came .in with -the tea.:— "Steward, you were drunk last night." "Drunk sir ? Me, .sir ■?•■ Oh, no, sir. I may have had a glass or two, sir—but "not drunk, J s^t"; 'Irasr-' sure* you, sir." "Well, steward, if you were not' drunk, I'was ; • and next t>mc , I'm .drunk yo-u're fired ! >J " ; Neat } top, was Fairchild's ' commeri- 1 tary at rthc t'imerof- the Russian v.arj scare when the New "Zealand Govern- 1 ment had no thought of giving.- Dreadnoughts, but looked to f local /defence. Two old; cannons were found in Wellington, and a sapient committee was, sent to inspect -the Hinemoa, and decide whereabouts on. the vessel they could be mounted most effectively. The committee 1 walked' dubiously J round the deck, and at last bethought itself to. take "the captain's opinion.' "You mount those two guns pointing right over the starh, • geritlemenThat's the only place they'll -be of any use..^.me.'' :-. .'■ . ■■ . .