RATIONS FOE THE HOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 10

RATIONS FOE THE HOOD.

PURCHASES IN AUOKLAND.

TWENTY TONS OF MEAT.

SHIPMENT OF VEGETABLES.

The feeding of the ship's company in the Hood is almost as monumental a task as catering for a giant North Atlantic liner or for a large London hot-el. Carrying round about 1500 officers and men, the warship has had to make considerable replenishment of her stores in Auckland to carry her across the Pacific. Beef and mutton to the extent of 20 tons have been purchased, together with <-0 tons of potatoes and vegetables. This is not such heavy buying, when it is remembered that 1000 pounds of meat, 160u pounds of potatoes, and about 200 pounds of vegetables are consumed- daily. The ship's other purchases include 2600 pounds of butter and 7000 pounds -of bacon.

The Hood can stow stores for 20 days, and this includes a certain amount of salt pork and,' of course, th 6 supply of rum. Of the latter, the vessel can carry a four-months' stock, the daily consumption being 10 gallons. From the olden days of seafaring rum has been the seaman's choice beverage. It is produced in Jamaica, sent to England, and made ready in the naval yard at Deptford London. Stored in vats, it is treated so that it should be only " five under proof" when used in the King's ships. The rum arrives at Deptford as " white nun,'" and gains its rich mahogany colour by the use of burnt sugar. When served to the seamen it will be a year or more old.

Tobacco naturally goes with rum —at all events, the sailor thinks so. Nowadays the seaman can buy his tobacco either in the virgin leaf, or ready for use in tins. The former is treated by the sailor himself. He takes out the ribs of the leaf, moistens it, and then moulds it into a double-ended cone shape. This is wrapped in a bit of old canvas and very lightly lashed with spun-yarn, After being put aside for a while, the seaman cuts it up as a plujj. Some hardened snickers, it is said, like to soak their tobacco leaves in rum and water before shaping them up. Tn stories of old pea life, th* matelot is generally depicted as " chewing; a quia." That is practically a dead and gene habit. Both in the Royal Navy and tho merchant • service the old " whale," who lived on tobacco, is as dead as the dodo. .He went out of existence with the sailimr ships and the leisurely days of sea travel.

FIMAIL SOCCER TEST. A SHARP ENGAGEMENT. NORTH SEA WEATHER. - t "MOSQUITO FLEET Witts. The Governor-General, accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, attended the "soccer" match at Victoria Park yesterday afternoon, and with about 4000 Aucklanders and men from the Fleet saw the local representatives win a sharp engagement with the Squadron's beat eleven by 4 goals to 3. Real "North Sea" weather .prevailed, but this did little to dampen the ardour of either players or spectators. The former put up a clean, clever fight that wil] live long in the memories of all present,, while the latter were, strangely enough, unanimous in their praise of both sides. At the conclusion of the match Lord Jellicoe, who received an enthusiastic reception, asked . that members of ■ both teams be presented to him. His Excellency handed to Corbett the Le Roy banner donated for the match, and recognising in the Auckland captain an exNavy man of long service, inquired of his welfare. Lord Jellicoe also spoke with Roberts, captain of the Squadron team. In the teeth of a howling easterly Auckland attacked from the kick,off, and Dacre almost reached the objective. Innes got out of his latitude to fall foul of the referee, and the attack was held up by a free kick to the Squadron. The light cruisers then showed up, and Glynn, of the Delhi, manoeuvred well past Braithwaite, only to receive a check from Ferguson. For a time tho Squadron showed much better seamanship in the squally weather, and tested Craxton with longrange shots, only to find the custodian s armour plate shell-proof. Then the speed> Dacre rushed right- through the danger zone, and passed to Humphreys. The centre-forward slipped between the big guns of the Hood and Repulse, manned bv Burke and Cope, to register, with a sharp shot from close range:

Auckland ... . „ > . 1 . Squadron .0 Auckland again forced the fighting from the kick off, and Dacre was signalled a "washout" with a shot from 30yds. A brief lull followed, and then/the Squaddon's ships of the forward line swooped down on the enemy's defence: Glynn finished oil a bold stroke with a beautiful centre, and Cox got "target" with a sharp shot i Auckland . . . . . . 1 Squadron % 1 The • Navy men had the better of the ensuing play, and when both fleets retired for an 'interval for repairs the Squadron led by 3 to 2. On taking the field once more an onslaught by the Squadron fizzled out when Wilcox gave "hands." And then Humphreys rallied all his forces for a determined effort to draw level. Mullet repulsed several hot attacks, but ho got in a tight place from a corner well taken by Innes, and Corbett got an opening from a melee in front of goal and brought the scores level.

With a fair wind to help them, Auckland now dominated the battle, and ror 20 minutes the Squadron was "bottled up" in its own area. Then Captain Roberts got his sailing orders from Burke and sent the Delhi away on the right, only to find that Craxton had his torpedo nets well spread. The Squadron was now "out" with a vengeance; the battle raged fiercely. Sharp and sudden were the moves that carried the ball from end to 1 end, at top speed. Many a good ship of both sides turned turtle when victory seemed sure, and the applause from those watching was one continual roar. Then Auckland's dreadnought, Dacre, ran in under the big guns once' more to overwhelm the defence and allow Humphreys to score the winning goal. "All hands and the cook" in the Squadron team used their utmost endeavours to at least make honours even, but Auckland's defence told them "what we have we'll hold," and the visitors finally had to strike their flag when the whistle sounded with the scores: .Auckland . . .. 4 Squadron . . , # '' 3