COMFORTS FOR SAILORS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 154, 17 July 1937, Page 7

COMFORTS FOR SAILORS

Admiralty and Dishcloths LOWER DECK REQUESTS Interesting sidelights on the domesAe life' of the Navy are thrown bv a recent Admiralty Eleet Order, states Mr„ Hector Bywater in the Daily Telegraph. .The order sets forth about 220 requests tendered by the lower deck, together with the Admiralty 's comments and decisions on them. It is disclosed, for example, that coloured tablecloths are reserved exclusively for the use of chief petty ofTlcers, and a plea that this privilege be extended to petty officers ' and broad«sidd — seamen 's — messes is rejected. However, petty officers are to share with chief petty officers the luxurv of electric toasters and cushion covers. Eousewives will shudder sympathotically when they learn that a requost that separate containers for tea and yugar be provided was not approved. Aiy. Lords of the Admiralty, however, have jelented to the extent of promising that "the possibility of iitting a lid to the tea. portion of the canisters to reduce the risk of • mixing will be investigated."

The greatest dishcloth controversy stilJ Tages fiercely. To the lower-dcck 's request that "messes should be allowed two dishcloths for drying up mess gear," my Lords curtly reply that "the present allowance of three for 10 men is considered adequate." But ngain the pill is sugared, for "consideration will be given to the desirability of substituting a better material" for the dishcloths. j A point on which my Lords remain adamant concerns butter dishes. To the cequest "that the present butter dish and cover be replaced by one with a lid iitting over the dish instead of in," they retort that the present pattern is considered satisfactory, and will not be altered. So that is that. Nor are the men to get the two knives and forks at each meal for which a, request was made. "Not approved," is the answer. "It is not considered that there is any need for two 'forks and two knivres per man."