CANDIDATES FOR THE NAVY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1908, Page 3

CANDIDATES FOR THE NAVY.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Printed forms, setting out the conditions under which young men resident in the Dominion may serve in the Royal Navy in His Majesty's ships stationed in Australian and New Zealand waters, are now being .displayed in the post offices. It is set out that, in the first place, candidates must be British subjects of European extraction, able to read and write the English language, and have resided for at least three yearsl in Australasia immediately prior to enrolment. A medical examination must - be passed as to physical fitness, and, incidentally, the possession of good teeth is a necessary qualification. The standard as to height, etc., is as follows:—Boys from 15 to 16 years of age, height oft 2in, chest measurement 32in.; from 16 to 18 years of age, sft 3in, and 32iin; men of all classes from 18 years and above, sft 4in. and 32in. Preference will be given to applicants between the ages of 15 and 20 years if applying for entry in the seamen's branch, and to those between 18 and 23 years for the stokers' branch. Candidates on joining must sign an engagement to serve for a period of five years, and must not expect to obtain their discharge before the five years are completed, except under very special circumstances. Pay and allowances! are fixed as follows:—Boys, 6d to 7d; colonial allowance", in addition to pay, Is; ordinary seamen, Is 3d and iJs; able seamen, Is 8d and 3s; stokers, Is Bd, 2s Id, and 3s. Extra pay may be obtained by qualifying in gunnery, etc. Candidates must bear their own expenses when making personal application for entry and in returning home il" rejected, and will be required to produce birth certificate, references up to date as to character, and. if under the age of 21 years, the written consent of a parent or guardian. Intending candidates in New. Zealand should communicate with the commanding officer of H.M. drillship, New Zealand, giving the necessary information, when they will be informed as to details and where to make p-ersonal application.