Troopers on the Voyage.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3924, 24 July 1902, Page 4

Troopers on the Voyage.

" THE NORFOLK BUSTER." A SOLDIERS’ NEWSPAPER. There are. many records cxtatit of the enterprise shown by members of tiie different contingents that, from time to time, have left New Zealand’s shores to assist the Motheriaml in the desperate struggle (now happily ended), which for so long a period was waged on South Africa’s inhospitable veldts. The results of this enterprise exhibit a commendable resourcefulness—a resourcefulness which quickly brought the colony to the fore, and raised it during those troublous times to a pinnacle, from which it was in a measure virtually “ I hi* observed of all observers'.” On Ihe Held of battle the faculty of colonials to adapt themselves to existing conditions was the surprise and envy of I he barrack-trained warriors from the lands of the Rose, the Shamrock, and the Thistle. That this adaptability stood them in good stead the annals of the war demonstrates over and over again. To such a degree was the art brought that (he colonial—and in particular the New Zealander —was socra able to “ outHerod Herod,” i.c., was able to beat, the Boer at his own pet game, ‘‘slimness.” Not only in the stern business of war did “ our lads ” display ingenuity ; but also in the passage across the oceans, when to relieve the monotony of the long sea trip many devices were resorted to. Some of these were not only enterprising but entailed a certain amount of tenacity of purpose to overcome obstacles caused by environments, and in addition showed considerable intellectual ability. One of the tedium-relieving methods was to publish at intervals a “ newspaper ” describing the doings and life on the troopship. Each issue was purchased by the troopers with an alacrity that would make the ordinary garden variety newspaper proprietor’s heart swell with pride and joy, and his pockets jingle with bright golden coins if lie was ever fortunate enough to witness a like demand for his production. On most: of the troopships a paper was published, and it afforded amusing reading. A capital specimen of this class of journalism was the “ Norfolk Buster,” a copy of the second issue of which has been sent to this office for perusal by Mr John Harrison, of Green Hayes orchard, Tcmuka, who has a son now at the front. ft will be remembered that the Norfolk was the steamer which conveyed the South Island portion of the Tenth Contingent to Durban, and doubtless the paper under consideration was the “ official ” Gazette of the company. It can justly be claimed to be up-to-date, for like the modern dailies and weeklies of large centres of population it is illustrated with topical cartoons of celebrated “ local ” individuals and oilier famous persons. On glancing through the contents (he first thing to strike the reader is the amount of work involved in producing it. The printing is done by means of a mimeograph plant, and this is a laborious process, needing the exercise of patience ami care. To those not familiar with the method it might be stated that the .••pera r cr writes his “copy” on specially p cpared oiled paper placed in a Tvme and stretched over a metal pad A pen with a tiny rowel at the point is used ior writing with, and this, as it runs over the surface of the paper, minutely perforates it. When the writing is completed the frame is lifted, and on the metal pad is placed a sheet of ordinary paper. The frame is lowered over this, and the operator, with a small hand roller, applies printing ink to the perforated paper. Working the roller gently to and fro causes a portion of the ink to pass through the perforations and print on the sheet beneath. Printers ink is sticky, and anything approaching haste or clumsiness would tear the perforations. This would necessitate re-writing. There arc also a thousand and one, things that, can go wrong during operations, and it will thus be seen that the process is (odious, and by no means child’s play. How the work is accomplished on hoard ship, where there is the vibration of the engines, ami the rolling, tossing and pitching of the vessel is hard to realise. To turn out a production as large as the “ Norfolk Buster ” under ordinary circumstances would he creditable, but to produce it under the adverse circumstances that existed is decidedly praiseworthy.

The edition comprised six Crown pages—that is a trifle larger than the well-known size of foolscap—and bears the following imprint :—“ Published by Sergeant-Major Coleman and Sergeant Procter, at their offices off Cape Leeuwin.” In contradistinction to the rule usually observed, which is to place the imprint at the bottom of the last page, in this instance it is placed at the right-hand top corner of the first page. At the opposite corner appears two “ wanted ” advertisements. These are not without interest, and are here quoted :—“ Wanted —A man with wooden legs to mash potatoes, apply to Brown.” “ Wanted —A smart honest lad to canvass for a Flea Powder Co. Must be free from vermin, apply Scratch’um.” Between the advertisements and imprint is running diagonally the date, newspaper headings and the number, “ Friday, 9th May, 1903, Norfolk Buster, No. 2, Vol.l.” The reading matter comprises a leader, fairly well composed, and an editorial note. In the fotmer mention is made of the unprecedented success of the first issue, the demand for copies exceeding the supply. The statement was made that the proprietors, in order to bring to light the literary talent known to be lying dormant in the community, had decided to oiler a prize to the author of the best article on “ Life on a Troopship.” An apology was also made for the meagreness of foreign nows. This was owing to the heavy gales which had prevailed since leaving Sydney, and as a consequence the Marconi telegraph had not proved the success anticipated, very lew cables coming through. In the editorial note mention was made of a trooper being put ashore at Albany, and apparently several others were punished by being placed in durance vile on the charge of theft of comrade’s stores. The pay of the latter was also stopped. The editor sets himself out to give the delinquents an amount of wholesome advice, and says the man who would rob a comrade is mean and contemptible, and beneath any soldier worthy the name of man. On the second page is to be found the following :—“ Life on a troopship is a contrast to home. ‘ Home ’ is one af the sweetest words in our language. It reminds us of the tenderest associations of the human heart. Tins troopship life does not tend to mare up effeminate or soft. No woman on board, so it cannot be home, paradise, or true civilisation. ‘ Civilisation,’ says Emerson, ‘ is the influence of women.’ We miss those softening influences, but kind words and brotherly actions among ourselves can make the life congenial. Even with the monotonous and everlasting men, men, mem horses, horses, horses, smells, I smells, smells,, our py/ft .words aud I

actions can be a continual exhibition of tlv’ ; that are lovely and of good report. What the rustling palms and -..e11s of water were to the weary pilgrims in the desert, this, and more, can our lives be to those around us. Kindness, mutual helpfulness, and forbearance should be the watchwords of each. Considering the fact that there arc over 700 men and 560 horses on board we cannot expect the life of a nomad with its changing scenes and unbounded freedom. A little more elbow room would he an unspeakable blessing,” etc., etc. There are also one or two jokes (?) ; —“ Where did llotch kiss ? ” The place where Nordcu felt. “ AVho is the most important official in the English Church ? ” The canon, because he’s tfie biggest gun. (Any more ?) Page three is devoted to the soul’s outpourings of those who worship at the shrines of the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne, and we should think that if the writers were not very careful in what, they bring forth in the future they will raise the ire and let fall on their heads the wrath of Melpomene, the Muse of 'Tragedy. Evidently the editor thought things were serious for at the bottom of the page is a “ picture ” of a furious looking bulldog, 11 Towscr,” with the comment : 11 N.B.—Our hull-dog’s expression on hearing the above poems. At this stage we were compelled to discontinue, "owing to his seizing us by the slack of our pants.” Page four is devoted to ‘‘Here and There ” news pars. Among them to be noticed is—- “ We arc glad to learn that the sum of £34 was collected on board on behalf of Airs Darby, widow of the late cook, £l7 9s by the crew and the balance by non-com. officers and troopers. Acknowledgements were also made of the sum of £1 15s and £1 10s from squadrons F and E respectively, the proceeds of raffles of one copy each of the “ Norfolk Buster ” towards the same fund. Page five is voted to “ illustrations ” of local celebrities, one being a cartoon of the notorious proprietor of Sydney Truth who gave great offence to the Norfolk’s passengers by stating that the troopers were only a parcel of gamblers. Page six contains miscellaneous reading matter, such as ‘‘ Theatrical Notes, by Call boy,” Hints by a returned officer,” “ Jokelets,” and 11 To correspondents.” The last, reading : ‘‘ Please do not write on both sides of your letter sheets when you contribute to the ‘ Buster.’ Some of the editors are sufficiently profane already.” As a tail piece the artist has "given a representation of a sea .serpent, in which lie has allowed full I scope to his imagination. Trooper Harrison, in forwarding his copy to his parents, writing from Durban” said he won it in a raffle, and prized it highly.