A SMACK OF THE BRINY.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 August 1918, Page 2

A SMACK OF THE BRINY.

The Auckland Military Board on Thursday afternoon in its proceedings literally had a smack of the briny. An able seaman, with full i sails set, gave His evidence very candidly. He explained that he was the sole support of tvlb invalids, a and a son. The chairman then ascertained that appellant belonged to a scow. When asked how long he was on the vessel, freighting about the coast, the seaman answered, “Twelve months,” but added that he would not have appealed if he was not genuine. “I don’t know this here secretary of the Seaman’s Union who comes before the Board and appeals and gets young single men of 25 years exempted. I haven’t seen him. and I’m here to look after myself. I was a seaman before many of these young fellows were born. I have not seen my employers either, so don’t know whether I can be replaced or not. All I know is that the boat is often held up for the want of a hand. In fact,’ ’he added, beaming, “she’s tied up to-day, and the skipper and mate are having a holiday on the strength of me being here. I suppose the skipper will be tight by now.” The oratory was cut short by the chairman’s inquiry: “What does the scow carry?” “Well,” said the sailor, “any sort of freight at all that we can get. One time we took a load of (a firm’s name mentioned) dead horses round between Rangitoto and Tiri and dropped them.” (Laughter). “What did you bring back?” “Shingle for a freezing works,’’ ’came the reply. The BoarC considered the man was a seaman from top to bottom after this breezy interlude.