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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 223, 14 June 1919, Page 10

A quaint feature of an entertainment given at 'Port; Chalmers on Monday evening for patriotic 1 purpose's by a, concert party from the steamer Remuera was the playing of .accompaniments by an enu'meer for a lireman, says the "Star." It was unusual. Such an occurrence iias probably never before been witnessed. Perhaps war experience has dissolved artificial distinctions at sea as well as on shore. Tho engineer was Sir. Walter Johnson-Martin. The fireman was Mr. f. Mulleuger, and his singing won for him an ovation. Mr. JohnsonMartin's qualities as an ehrertniner--aud he has had experience under varying circumstances—wore never more, sorely tried or more highly appreciated than when the (steamer Hoinersel was torpedoed in the Atlantic on .Inly 20. 1.017. The crew were in the sunken steamer':? boats for five. days. The circumstances did not make for merriment. Hut, Mr. .Tohnson-Martin, the engineer entertainer, kept depression at a distance. Exposure in ■ tho open boats seemcil \to rasp the sensitive nerve centres. But spirits never really drooped, for part fours, solos, and even recitations 'stimulated merriment at. the most; critical moments. Vive days and nights had passed lvhcn a. Vr'eneh minelayer picked up Ihe Somerset's I'M , off the Spanish coast. II had been a trying time. The scrvii:es;of Air. Johnwn-Martin in Hie role of shin's entertainer had never bceu moro "valuable.