UNKNOWN

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 107, 12 November 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

UNKNOWN

TRICKS PLAYED OX THE I GREENHORN. • vjt£. The Navy, unlike the Arqjfn get all, or nearly all ,its men made. It accepts scores of lads from the training ships, when have been taught something mo the mere rudiments of thear calling. Nevertheless, as soon of these buddng Jack Tars stej the iron deck of the lighting i has been transferred to, he is a ie," and the appellation, whicl lies greenhorn to an extreme sticks to him like glue until ei' his come under fire or comple first course of training. The p jokes made at the expense of i especially the " i.jw joint," w a subtle distinction applied to t] ly arrived lad, are legion, and 1 tide the victim who forgets his gree on the ship's strength sufi to get nasty about it.

FOOLS' ERRANDS. During the first day of his no however, the newcomer gets the of a merciful unwritten law wh empts him from all horseplay & foonery. Alas! on the 6econ when he is just beginning to tl is a salt, the fun commences. S are the ways and means when rookie may be victimised tlia some good-hearted ex-greenhorn through a mental vow to leave t kid alone, so that he may p practice a brilliant idea in the; line. The rookie is dispatched * fitting solemnity to the armoi that gentleman happens to-jfc ticularly cross-grained fellowjjji the ship's coat-of-arms stamped trousers buttons. 'When the horn returns, looking sad and messmate pretends to be shoo the rotten conduct of tho otl low, and g:ves him a bread-tray cure a fill of coal for the boat bedroom fire.

Many of the piacttcal jokes ai established ones, periodically out to do service. Thus, there i ly an A.B, who has not at the mng of his career been 6ent can to get it filled with "jj milk"—jenkcr being a nautical' sion for defaulter, the last mat to receive or ask for milk, i stereotyped trick is to send the tunate rookie to some crusty ol back to demand the immediate j tion of the keys of the "last i

TEASON AND COURT-MAR Sometimes the rookie, failing preciate the honour of being ti less comedian of the ship, tells i mentors flatly that he'll se hanged first. Now, such an q is rank treason against the low etiquette of untold ages, and <; immediate punishment. He ma. ever, be given another chance, commanded to go to a stewar supply of eand for the mesa "Twigging a rise," as Jack woi he declines point blank. But the recognised name for sugar Navy, and, on the fact being strated to his satisfaction, the tunate rookie is convinced of ti mity of his offence. His qi friends profess the most profoi row for him, and express theii mination to put in a good w him, as his punishment, the; fe bo severe. \Vith great solerakdj I>laced under arrest, and so ar* ong enough to permit of a moc martial being instituted for his "WTiat is the offence?" den man at the head of the table, > virtue of a pair of spectacles, pompous manner, is apporetx president. "High treason, nij replies the self-appointed proi " Have you anything to say, p why the extreme sentence ehoi be passed ?" The prisoner essay ply, but is immediately reque his mouth. Without more ad sentenced to be spreadeagled i body buried in a blanket. Thi court, includ ; ng the president, with great gusto to the ei ground, dragging the unfortuna oner with them. A blanket is pi and the quaking rookie is tosee the air to the accompanimentmendous merrment. . <