RECREATIONS OF THE GRAND FLEET.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17126, 30 October 1917, Page 5

RECREATIONS OF THE GRAND FLEET.

HQW OUR1 SAILORMEN SPEND THEIR SPARE TIME.

Only personal contact can convey a true impression of the Jcind of existence led by the men who for the past three years have been dwelling in the solitude of tlie Northern haze. The routine of the officers' daily life is simple. Only onco in six or eight months—the former if they are fortunate—does each officer get a fortnight's leave. Then off they go, as fast as the naval train will take them.

Jack has not put his hand to the plough but he has certainly put it to the spade and the hoe. The men who go down to the sea in ships are taking their part in the agriculture revival. It cannot be said that the sterile wastes bordering their anchorage ground have been made to "blossom as the rose," but whole tracts of land have been put under cultivation, and potatoes, cabbage, scarlet runners, broad beans" and other things have been made to thrive on the inhospitable soil. The officers are the leading spirits in promoting ■entertainments on board. There is a .theatrical ship, at which occasionally dramatic performance^ are given. • . '

_ A weekly source of amusement is toe cinema. Every Saturday night, on oyeryone of the battleships, a show is given. It is quite a big business to arrange for the arrival of films. Scenes from the battle front are depicted, and the movements of the King among his people which are recorded by the cinema man are exceedingly popular.

BOXING, FOOTBALL AND GOLF

Boxing contests are not of infrequent occurrence. The Navy probably produces more devotees of the "manly ai-i," t-iian any othsr section of the subjects of the King. Football for the men and golf for tha officers furnish means of recreation. Some very good golf links have been laid out, and there is an excellent football ground on the mainland. Matches are played with keenness which could not be exceeded at St. Andrews.

From what I could gather—and there was not the slightesjTrestrietion to my making the fullest inquiries in every quarter in the many ships I visited —the whole band of heroes, from the highest to the lowest, are a happy and contented family. Here is an example of freedom : Outside the Admiral's cabin on a certain battleship are inscribed the words: '' Knock, come in, and say what you want." Another motto in a' wardroom was: "Drive on; there is an eternity of rest to-morrow."

I went to the cabin of the Coraman-der-iit-Chief. It is neatly furnished apartment, upholstered in grey, and containing only furniture necessary to make it reasonably comfortable. At Sir David Beatty's desk, qpposit^ where the Admiral sits to d>o his correspondence, is a small bust of Nelson. Suspended round the walls are pictures of famous sea dogs from Drake and Frobisher flown to more modern d.Tvs. Souvenirs in the shapa of large shell-splinters are mounted. One is a jagged piece of iron which penetrated the Admiral's cabin at the Dogger Bank fight, and there is p.lso a screen in tile cabin which was riddled with shot at that famous "scrap." Another is the smaller part of a shell which was hurtled by the enemy into the sick bay of the Lion at the battle of Jutland.'-