A SAILOR'S BEARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7110, 23 April 1910, Page 10

A SAILOR'S BEARD

The discussion raised a year ago (says the Paris correspondent of. the "Daily Telegraph" on February 26th) as to the right of waiters to wear a moustache is nothing to that which -has-, just now come up as to tho extent to which a sailor,may wear a beard. There is one Jack Tallin the navy whom nature. It seems, has endowed with a wonderful wealth of hair. Ten years ago a Minister signed a decree allowing sailors to wear beards. Among others, this particular sailor took advantage of this privilege, and let his beard grow, but it has made such progress since thai it will soon bo the length of Burbarossa'.s posthimons growth, which the legend says reached twice ardund the fdeacl Emptier s table. ■ * . TV.-e officer iu command of the ship on. which the sailor is serving is said to have made some observations recently to the effect that, th© man’s beard was attracting undue attention, and that the sailor ought to have it trimmed. The latter refused to cut it, and invoked the Minister’s decree. The Admiral of tho 1 Fleet was appealed to, and ho could only give advice, which the sailor refused to accept. He stuck to his beard iu defiance of captain qiid admiral, and now the case has been brought to the attention of the Minister, who, accord- ! ing to the "Figaro," intends to come , out with a drastic limitation of beards-. They must not grow beyond six centimetres, or- 2iln— that is to say. about tho calibre of th© small rapid-firing guns.