SAILORS' PLAY-TIME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19098, 17 August 1925, Page 10

SAILORS' PLAY-TIME.

ATHLETICS AND AMUSEMENTS.

SPIRITED COMPETITIONS.

" THE IRON MAN " CONTESTS,

No organisation could moro fully realise that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" than does the American Navy Department. Indeed, athletics and recreations might bo placed second only to the study of warfare in the curriculum of the American sailor.

To keep alivo a spirit of contentment among the thousands of men in the fleet and at the same time to prepare them botli mentally and physically for any crisis the department has brought into operation a splendid recreational system. Under the heading of morale, athletics and amusements are supervised on each ship

by an athletic officer, who advises other officers directly superintending a particular branch and does most of the organising work.

Every ship has its picked teams for boxing, boating, wrestling, baseball, tug-of-war, football, basketball, swimming, rifie-shooting and field and track events and by continual and conscientious practice the men have attained a high standard of efficiency. Participation in sports is optional, but so popular are they that the great majority of the complement are actively interested in some branch. The object is not to pioduce individual champions, but to promote the team spirit, and to this end the Navy Department, in 1919, presented to the battlefleet the Iron Man, a handsome statue for competition between teams from the various ships and the cmblom of general excellence in all branches ol athletics. For five years the Mississippi won tho statue, mainly through superiority in aquatic events, and caiTU to bo known as tho "Iron Man Ship," but this year perseverance had its reward, and the California is now the proud possessor of tho coveted trophy. Tournaments ol the Cruise.

Whenever tho battle fleet is together one of tho tournaments for possession of the Iron Man is conducted in tho presence of a great audience of men and ofli cers and with tho keenest friendly rivalry. On tho present cruise sailing and boating and tug-of-war events were decided at Maui Island, in the Hawaiian Group, and during the fleet's stay at Honolulu the champions in field and track events, boxing and wrestling were determined. These individual championships arc held at tho end of tho athletic year, and do not carry points for the Iron Man. On each ship, to facilitate control, athletic trainees are divided into divisions, which also compete against each other. By such contests not only is spirit aroused, but promising material is a'lso sorted out, to strengthen tbie teams that/ will take part in the inter-battleship tournaments. A whale-boat division raco between crews from tho California in San Pedro Harbour attracted 16 entrie-s, and the raco for honours was an imposing oue. Vigour and Enthusiasm. Tho men train for sport with great vigour and enthusiasm and this has enabled them to lower tho colours of moro than ono shoro team during tho cruise. Boxing is first in favour, and tho fleet can boast of many fino exponents, whilo it has been tho school of boxers who havo won famo in tho ring ashore. Next in popularity is boat-racing, the rowing crews being particularly well trained and used to pulling over a five-mile course before breakfast every morning. Few games are moro strenuous than football as played under American rules, and tho player has to bo a hardy fellow to survivo a match. It is a game of tho survival of the fittest and it is considered a hardship if a tcani has to play two matches in a week. Swedish Drill to Music.

When tho fleet is at sea or in homo waters Swedish drill is carried out every morning by tho men, rhythm being accentuated by music from the ship's band which plays martial airs with a suitable swing. Tho naval man is not denied his leisure moments. There are "happy hours" when boxing and wrestling bouts, dancing and impromptu concerts, including items by amateur jazz bands with a galaxy of unorthodox instruments, and other entertainments keep him in happy mood. Then, in tho evenings, if the weather permits, a cinematograph machino is installed on the quarter-deck and in an open-air theatro tho ship's company views the latest films from any suitable vantage point. Many of tho pictures aro obtained before their release, by an agreement with producers that they will only bo shown at sea. Musical instruments of all kinds abound on the vessels and in tho hands of competent musicians aro another sourco of pleasure to tho naval man. .

"PORK AND BEANS." SAVAGES AND VISITORS.

ELABORATE ENTERTAINMENT. Tho following lines, printed on the programmes, greeted tho American naval officers who attended the Savage Club's torero on Saturday evening: Bo! We weleomo you. You come an adult natiou; wo are but in our teens; Wo with our pounded fern root, you with' your pork and bennu!

This was tho, spirit of a very entertaining programme, to which the guests liberally contributed with demonstrations of their navy "yells"—offered as a set-off to the hakas which formed an important featuro of tho Savages' welcome to Admiral Robison and his staff. Tho attendance was one of the largest experienced in the club's history, tho Scots Hall being crowded. Tho first portion of the programme was devoted to an amusing sketch depicting the customs of tho Maoris at the time of tho European occupation. Dr. P. H. Buck, the rangatira, had organised a very efficient band of warriors and waliinos, tho former in full war paint and feathers, the lattor in variegated shawls and tho splendour. of tattoo.

Tho sketch was entitled "The Venus of tho Volcanoes, or Last, Loneliest, Loveliest," played, according'to an effusive programme, "by "iron men and women of a strange and reckless beauty." Dr. Buck, in Maori costume, explained the scenes in English, and led his warriors in a series of Maori dances. Tho white victim of a cannibalistic, feast was a prominent, though cringing, figure. ' Opportunity was taken during tho sceno for tl\o singing of a Maori song, "Hacro Tonu" (Home), by Mr. S. Pritchard, upd "Rona in tho Moon" (Dorcen Walsh,) by Mr. Jas. Simpson. Tho remainder of the' programme was contributed by Messrs. Fred. Baker. H E. Gillespie, Alan McElwain. H. 0. MrFarlano and R. Bartlett. Messrs. Cyril Towsey and H. Woolley accompanied at the piano. The "club" orchestra, under tho baton of Mr. Colin Muston, excelled itself in a number of sele'ctioris, Admiral Robison was unanimously elected' an honorary member of the club. The immediate past-president, Mr. J. H. Hutchison, presented Dr. Buck with a handsomo silver loving cup in recognition of his services on tho club's behalf.