FUN ON THE RENOWN

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 57, 4 February 1927, Page 8

FUN ON THE RENOWN

KING NEPTUNE ARRIVES. DUKE DUCKED TWICE. SYDNEY, Fob. 3. A wireless message .From the Renown states: “lving Neptune’s revels having always been the right of tho lower deck, the ship’s company took full advantage ot their privilege and swarmed over every point of vantage, sitting along the awning stays and on tho barrels of the 16in guns, watching gleefully every item of tiie proceedings, from tho time King Neptune and Ins consort boarded till the last novice had been initiated. King Neptune boarded at nine o'clock and held court on the quarter deck. Surrounded by his consort Amplntrite, barbers, bears and doctors, he harangued the captain, the Duke and Duchess of York and others on the importance of the occasion. lie refused to accept tho Duke of York’s initiation aboard tho liner as in order and requested him to undergo it again, investing him at the same time with the order, “Old Sea Dog.” A merry time followed when the Duchess was invested by Ampliitrite with the order of “Golden Mermaid.” Tho members of the Ducal staff’ were likewise decorated. The Earl of Cavan was made “General of the Horse Marines,” and Earl Batterbee “Flattened Kipper.” Several members of the ship’s company were variously honoured. ... .

On adjourning forward the initiation ceremonies proceeded with despatch, tho Duchess and the ladies being excused on the intercession of Amphitrite and were merely sprinkled with sea water. The first ducked were the Duke and Captain Sullivan who thereafter were presented with the order “Skipped Sardine.” Both were faithfully dealt with and vigorously ducked to the bears’ accompaniment of roars of delight. They were quickly followed by tho whole ship’s company tho Commander downwards. The Commander’s appearance was the signal for cries of “give him more” from iiis delighted sailors. The fun increased apace, four novices being expeditiously treated at once. The acme of the day’s enjoyment was reached, when, at the request of the Duke, the main brace was spliced and a tot of rum served to the whole company. After the strenuous morning the Iloyal party joined tho officers in the wardroom for a belated breakfast. — A. and N.Z. cable.