LIFE IN THE NAVY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 September 1924, Page 6

LIFE IN THE NAVY.

Alaster-aUArms C. Hutchings, naval recruiter, will visit Hawera on Friday, September 26. for the purpose of stimulating interest in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, and for that purpose he will visit schools and attend cadet parades in the district. .The establishment of the New Zealand Division of the, Royal Navy affords to boys living in the Dominion a fine opportunity for a naval career. Some of the advantages of a naval life are as follow: An unrivalled opportunity of seeing the world, for service is not restricted to New Zealand waters, since a man is liable to serve in any part of the world- a healthy, happy, and interesting life, with excellent chances of advancement - good pay and a substantial sum of money on the expiration cf his engagement to start him -in life ashore. Any man or boy who joins the Navy has the satisfaction of knowing that he is serving the King and Empire, and the best interests of the Dominion. The scales of pay have, been fixed after careful consideration of the average earnings in equivalent employment on shore. It has to be remembered that a man or boy in the Navy is fed, accommodated and clothed, and he {receives medical attention at no cost to himself. In addition he is allowed deferred pay, which is in addition to his ordinary rate of pay, which is included over a period of each engagement (his first engagement being 12 years); that would normally amount to £SOO, a vary useful capital with which to re-enter civilian life. Young petty officers and men of exemplary character giving evidence of outstanding ability are afforded opportunities of fitting themselves for officer’s rank. Othei-s not so fortunate may still depend on advancement to chief petty officer or petty officer rank. Ratings of marked ability are sent to England for special training to fit them for responsible and more highly-paid positions in ships o'l' the New Zealand Squadron. Recreation is not overlooked. Grounds’ are provided, and every encouragement is given to men to play football, cricket indulge in rowing, etc. Twenty-eight days leave per annum on full pay is granted, and an allowance is paid iii lieu of victuals when on leave. Marriage allowance is also- granted to ratings who marvrv, and dependent allowance is granted to, parents who are in straitened circumstances (in certain cases). A boy to join the Navy must be medically fit, of good character', good education, and must be a son oi' parents who were born in New Zealand or Great Britain. The training ship (H.AI.S. Philomel) is stationed at Auckland, and all (recruits carry out a course of training there before being drafted to a sea-going ship. The course for a" seaman hoy is about a year, and each receives instructions in' seamanship; gunnery, education, and recreational training, after - which- he is drafted to the sea-going c,miser (H.AI.S. Dunedin)'. At the present time about 50 "New' Zealand lads from the New. Zealand 7 Division are in England qualifying in the gunnery, torpedo, signal, and wireless schools at Portsmouth, ancW in the case of stokers in the ship provided for that purpose. Some areserving in the fleets in English waters, and very good reports have been received from time to time concerning them.