AUSTRALIAN MINE SWEEPER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3153, 3 August 1917, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN MINE SWEEPER

A. mine-sweeping section of the Royal Australian Naval Brigado is being organised. 'Regulations issued last week provide that the section is to comprise such masters, mates, engineers, -.leek, and engine-room hands as may from time to time 1)6 'sworn in under tho Naval Defence Act. No applicant is eligible unless of pure-European descent, or the son of either a natural-botn or' naturalised British subject. An age-limit is fixed from 23 to 45 in the case of masters, and'2o to 55 in 'the ease of tho others. Masters must have commanded a steam.'trawler or tug for at least twelve months under a Board of Trade certificate, and are required to perform eight days' continuous training; at sea each jear, for which . they will receive n retainer of t £l6 a year, pay at the rate of 16s..daily, and ss. per day messing allowance. When called up for active service they will be paid ,£'2s per month, with a war retainer of; .fiifl yearly.- Crews must also undergo' eight days' training nnnnally, and the daily rates while trainine; are:—Mates, t4s.; first r olaSß engineers, 14s. 4d.; second-class, 12s. 4d.; deckhands, Bs. 4d.; firemen, ins. 4(1.; 10s. detainers will also lie paid, together with nn allowance, in lieu of rations, and llie gift of a lcit of -clothing. A war retainer will be credited all ratings on active service of .£2O per annum.