10
THE
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1938.
An Admiral's Flag in
by
COMMANDER
H. PURSEY,
R.N.
GOW many commis
"HOW sions
S omeera
will be awarded this year to bluejacket entries?"
"Can a seanan ket to the top of the tree as an the samt admirál-in
way as Private Robertson become Field Marshal Sir William Robertson?"
These
questions ore often asked, and one has to admit that, in spite of the large increase in naval personnel in the last six years, there were more ranker commilsslojn before the war.
The first question has been answered by the Admiralty. For August is the month when the selections are announced and the fortunate ratings discard their circular flut top hat, he jumper and bagity trousers (or flow
ut breeks) for a cocked hat, brass-buttoned frock cont and Hold-laced trousers.
His Kit Bag?
Beutenant acting the an on candidates Nol
only threshold of a new career, but also war service in the Iand relations, and, in particular, battleship H.M,S. Matnya. Rancces are now eagerly watching The first of the "brass hats" to taken aback. for the official announcement which will change the whole future of the serve until the age of 50 and retire as a captain "swallowed the anchor" man's naval carcer.
performing following the pre-war practice of Grand Fleet promoting turger numbers from the lower deck, almost everyone was
at the end of the last month.
An appeal was made to the Mer- chant Service for reserve oflcers to transfer to the Navy, a practice
To these concerned it means not
As a mate he took part in the which had not been adopted since only a transfer from the mess deck
Battle of Jutland and won carly und ham ock to sleep in to the
lieutenant for meri- 1913. One hundred and twenty-five officers' mess and
cabin, but also promotion to a foot on the bottom rung of a ind- furious service as a turret officer in were entered, and the same practice der which may carry them far.
a battleship.
on a similar scale is being repeated These cases prove that, given the this year. opportunity, rankor Oficers can
THE second question is not make good. To sily dealt with, as the Admiralty are unable to quote the case of a "hawse-pipe entry" reach- ing flag rank on the active list dur ink the past century.
After
an
THE claims
the lower deck were voiced in the Press
one-tenth
and in Parliament, and last August SINCE the wat, in spite of at-
13 "hawse-pipe entries" received tempts to provide improved
Although
this was opportunities, the number of ranker commissions. The last so-called "tarpaulin" commissions have averaged only three times the number of the pre- admiral, who is supposed to have some half a dozen a year-or about vious year, it was only
of that entered from outside. served "before the mast," was Sir one per thousand entries. John Kingcomb, promoted to fing
inquiry in 1930-31,
Protests also caused the Admiralty rank 30 years ago. Unfortunately,
the cause his early history is obscure, us he ordered by Mr. A. V. Alexander to make Inquiries a
when First Lord of the Admiralty,
new system
Introduced, of the low numbers, received the same officers system of ranker Kanker The modem:
After 20 years it was admitted to promotion was not introduced into title as others, sub-leutenant, were the Navy until 1912, when Mr. given preliminary educational tul- be too much to expect, the embryo Winston Churchill broke down the tlon at college, and then look the officer to "mug up" in his own time barrier between the mess deck and same courses as cadet entries. the quarter deck with the mate
joined the Navy in 1008.
scheme.
was
to
the technical educational and gen- eral knowledge subjects for the very
Twelve A.B.s were commissioned sT examinations, particularly un- Forty-four mates were promoted that year under the old system, but der the conditions of life at sea. in the following year and 31 in 1914, in 1935, under the new scheme, the and during the war 300 bluejacket number was down to three. This A revised system was announced entries "shipped the epaulettes" of was the lowest figure for a quarter last September, whereby candidates a commissioned officer.
of a century, and it was only one, were to be chesen earlier in their more the next year.
carcers
careers and given preliminary
M
Movie Mikado
...............by P. L. MANNOCK........................
of
"The
'Y object all sublime-
watching Mikado" being filmed -I have achieved at
the Pinewood studios.
I sat in solemn silence in a dull, dark scene-dock and asked Geoffrey Toye when things "Extremely would happen. scon-in point of fact, this afternoon," he answered; and suddenly the sun-arcs, whose rays were all ablaze, revealed a vista of a crowded, fantastic holiday fairyland.
A bank by a river, 11t by lan- terna, decked with tit-willows and flowers that bloomt in the spring; and in the sky, a fat yellow globe, the moon's Celes- tal Highness.
E
*
A more humane director never did in Japan exist than Victor Schertzinger. In a fatherly kind of way he summoned Nanki-Poo, who powdered the cold. perspiration that bespangled his brow, and Joined the Titipu Town Band in the bandstand. Brass crashed and trumpets brayed, but there was beauty in the bellow of the blast,
*
First of the Savoy operas to be filmed, it will certainly be an op- tical feast of colour; and the bril liant new scenic and costume de- signs are artistically bizarre.
Musical recordings, judging from those I heard, will be easily the finest yet made in this country: and Kenny Baker's superb tenor voice will reassure any fears and protests against Nanki-Poo being played by an ex-crooner."
"
As a strong Gilbert and Sullivan devotes. I also approve of the ela- borate extra scenes. Ko-Ko is seen arrested for flirting: the Mikado orders his son to wed Katisha or perish; and there is a tumble into n river,
New Films
Gold Is Where You Find It STARS: George Brent, Olivia do Californian dramu. Havilland.
HERE'S the best new film in the A splendid. last two monis: human story of the soll, done in excel- lent colour, balanced with lively scenes of old San Francisco's hard-drinking prosperity, based on gold but alded by guilt,
Sweeplugly good production is backed by ne acting, especially that of Claudo Rains as a stubborn, but wise lender of the farmers. Mr. Brent is virile and gentle na required, and Olivia de Havilland seems to get better in every picture. Tim Holt, son of Jack Holl is admirable, and the Prisco boo50S are grandly led by Sidney Toler,
Call of the Yukon Yet one of the first batch of six educational and professional tuition.
POST-WAR "axe" schemes cut
of the new scheme officers was second in Thirty-one candidates were selected, short the
college examination of 62 rated lending seamen, and sent to a majority of these officers, 130 being the
and battleship, H.M.S. Ramillles, for nine beached in one "fell swoop" in 1922, "pukka" and ranker officers,
reached another was top of his year in gun- months' intensive tuition. Out of 400 only - dozen
and "brass nery and won the gold medal. commander's rank
hat," and only three have worn the
"four stripes" of a captain.
*
•
They have recently taken their spite of all the handlenps, examinations. All pussed in sca- there has always been
have a manship and 23
qualified The senior, Captain J. Figgins, now commands the youths' training large number of candidates. Last educationally. Nevertheless, nil were selection board and establishment at Sheerness; Captain year it was officially admitted that considered by
D. C. S. Martin is Director of nearly a hundred were recommend- are now awalting the fateful result. Physical Training, and Sports at ed by their captains and over 70 Even If all are commissioned, which Portsmouth, and Captain P. K. En- had obtained the educntional certi- is unlikely, the number will be less right is "kipper"
than in pre-war years. of the sloop ficate. Grimsby, in China.
last Whether any of them has an ad- Consequently when, early Captain Martin, as a one-striper, year, the Admiralty went outside miral's Bag in his kit-bng will not was shipmates with the King when the Navy for officers, Instead of be known until 30 years hence.
THE
born
and herding cattle. Even as a child
BUCHANITES
she held dreamy, mystical notions Millennium At Hand
remained with her,
views that
procession of some
As
the
John Barclay plays the title-role
in "The Mikado."
wicked skinfint uncle, Warner Baxter as Alan Breek, stalwart of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, and Master Dartholomew are capital
But Arleen Whelan, pretty now Ingenue. is an entirely new chameter, and R. L. Stevenson's classic has been violently twisted round. As a film, it Is lively, hearty period adventure stiúir, both ashore and afloat. After all, mangling of the classies is nothing new In the cinema, la It?
Shopworn Angel
STARS: Margaret Sullavan, James love-drama. Blewart. War-time
MISS BULLAVAN, in an impossible part, is able to change abruptly from a bad-tempered, pampered actress into a tender sweetheart.
Bly Mr. Stewart, excellent as a Texan doughboy. Walter Pidgeon and Nat Pendleton do well. A well-produced emotional schemozzle, which has more false values than anything I have seen lately.
number.
Hunter, the Fiscal of Irvine, nervous that he might be overlooked in the crowd, "sprang on a table and stood there flapping his for cont talls like a raven ready flight."
once
STARS: Richard Arlen, Beverley
But alas the hours slowly passed clouds with never a break in the Robers. Aretle drama.
Ice and overhead-the clouds at which they WHO'LL have a cooler?
snow are always refreshing in the kept gazing with trembilag ex-
Night fell, and dog days; and the dogs are as good an pectancy. the humans in this well-set, simple tale again Mrs. Buchan had to find ex- among the Eskimos, bears and wolves, cuses for the failure of the Heavenly
Host to appear.
Again she set it One or two animal fghts were cut by the Censor. The courtship of woll- down to their lack of faith, and dog and lady collie is beautifully done: urged them to hold on with renewed the Mr. Arlen 13 sound and Miss Roberta'
hope and trust as the coming of make-up excessive.
Great Day could not be much longer delayed. This time, however, she did not so quickly succeed in restor- ing her followers' faith in her pro- had mise. Many of them, indeed, spent all their means and were re-
want. duced to utter
A few from door to door. went begging
a nulsonce In the neighbourhood as a nonc and were looked
Kidnapped
STARS: Freddie Bartholomew, Warner Baxter. Senttish adventure dramRA,
THIS is a pleturesque production. often delightful to the eye, and capably played. Miles Mander as the
Not
the authorities Intervened, Mrs. Buchan and Mr. While were arrest-
The Story of a Curious cd, but after a few days in prison
Religious Sect
they were set free.
Attracted
CANADIAN PACIFIC
STEAMSHIPS - HOTELS-
- RAILWAYS - EXPRESS
BERTHING PLANS FOR 1939 ARE OPEN
MAKE BOOKINGS EARLY to secure accommodation desired
TO CANADA, UNITED STATES and EUROPE
via Shanghai, Kobe & Yokohama
EMPRESS OF ASIA EMPRESS OF CANADA via Honolulu EMPRESS OF RUSSIA
..0.00 a.m. Frl, Bept. 30. .......Noon, Frl., Oct. 14,
Noon. Thurs., Oct. 27. ..Noon, Fri, Nov. 11.
EMPRESS OF JAPAN via Honolulu
Air-conditioned equipment 01
C.P.B. Trans-Continental
Frequcat
Trains.
Canadian Pacific Atlantic wallings to European Forte
TO MANILA
EMPRESS OF CANADA
Union
Building
Canadian Pacific
Fri., Oct. 7.
Telephone
20752
BARBER-WILHELMSEN LINE
Monthly Service to
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
via LOS ANGELES & PANAMA CANAL PORTS also taking cargo on through Bill of Lading for West Indica ports, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Rio Grande do Sol Buenos Aires, South America.
NEXT SAILING:—
M.S. "TAI PING”
23rd October
DODWELL & CO., LTD.
Agents.
Hongkong Bank Bldg. Telephone 28021.
OUR
BRITISH CROSSWORDS
ACROSS
Idiotle headdress for a spirited girl (0).
8 One might be a sight better for
consulting him (8),
# Almost mostly in good time
(0).
10 The editor must be careful to exclude from. It anything that may cause an explosion (a). Il Taking this is no vacation for
the snooker player (4). 14 A first-class sportsman evident-
ly (13).
(3).
15 Mature (8).
16 Knowing it includes conillet
(0).
17 One who is half 5 across (5). 18 If upset he might be a "goner"
(0),
20 A point to discover (4).
21 These are often spotted in
gambling dens (4).
24 There were assorted
his family treo (7).
barka in
20 An answer to the sentry's chal-
lenge? (0).
27. one-stroke feminine motor?,
This type is well known in Fleet Street (6)..
28 10 This week includes fast times 22 Carrying on the game and some game carry on the game by this belfaded (7)..
23 First-class but the edge
Bido (5),
in-
Then, making 饵 jast desperate effort to restore her authority, the undaunted woman gathered her fol- IN the year 1736, two hundred Naturally he was gratified by this because of the noisy disturbances
years ago, Elspeth Simpson, the tribute to his preaching powers. A at their meetings. So it came about crowned with joy and delights un lowers around her, und trekked a
spenkable.
few miles westward, where a new founder of that strange sect known long correspondence followed, and that a sirange as the Buchanites, was
As many weeks passed and no- camp was made and a new crusade near by-and-by he proposed that she fifty men, women, and children, led
begun. Mrs. Buchan, In a red clonk thing happened, signs of uneasiness the town of Banff. Her father was should remove to Irvine. This the by
and doubt began to spread amongst "More Than Mortal" a country inn-keeper, and her early did, finding a home there for herself mounted on a white pony, and ne-
companied by her family and Mr. the company. But so great was the years were occupied in dold work and family..
and Mrs. White, left the town in an spell their leader cast over them
by
crowds curiosity, that, in spite of the over recurring eastward direction. "For about the unseen world, and was
lightning cometh out of the east," failure of her predictions, which she came to the meetings. But, utterly generally regarded by the neigh- The Book of Revelation had long cried their leader, "and shineth even attributed to their lack of faith, she worn out at last, Mrs. Buchan was again In re-stricken down by a serious illness. bours as "queer."
been her favourite study, and she unto the west, so shall the coming succeeded time and
Her faithful followers refused to be- awakening thele enthusiasm and
dio like had come to 'bellove, that the Mil- of the Son of Man be."
ileve that she would Her marriage to Robert Buchan, a jennium was at hand, and that she A Sinless Earth
their belief in her divine powers and ordinary mortals, and when she did potter to trade, turned out very ung was the Woman mentioned in the
mission.
pass away, Mr. White managed to! happily, and shortly after they had Revelation of St. John. This bellef
Then it was that aho proclaimed a,have her secrelly burled, and gave Onwards the company trudged removed to Glasgow, with their
was shared by Mr. White and also
translated three children, they separated for
over ninny weary miles, but ever forty days fast, so that they might out that she had been -heartened by their leader's assur- be prepared for the coming Great directly to Heaven. good. Her son and two daughters by his wife.
to fry" (anag) and being in The
the ances
that ot ony moment the Day. Whether they all religiously
Only a few believed the story, and steady employment, they appeared minister began to express in the glorious meeting might take place. kept lie fast is more than doubtful. to be in fairly comfortable circum- pulpit naturally aroused uneasiness. Arriving near
Buchan appeared
them, know where the body had been laid, 31 Part of North England (4).
33 A wild composition (8). violent outburst of friesshire, she closeburn, In Dum- At the end of that period Mrs. an aroused public demanded to
amongst followed by a
them that
The authorities took the matter up. pale
telling
34 Scanty (6), angor amongst his congregation, the this was the place where they should Now, as ever, Mrs. Buchan's chic outcome being that the Presbytery await the coming of the Lord. Here them to partake of a small meal, and While was forced to confess 35 Half of this coin is certainly not interest in life lay in expounding took the malter up, and he was dis- they set up their camp, and every she gave orders that they should noted, he publicly announced his truth. Later on, it may bo
plain (8): 36 The movement of this may be her strange roilgious views, and missed from the ministry. Quite a day they held large meetings at
disbelief in Mrs. Buchan's preten- naturally, perhaps, her activities in number of people, however, believed which many
an eye-opener (6), this direction were not regarded with in him, and rallied around aroused through the countryside as see the clouds part, and the Lont
made. Great excitement was had arrived, and soon they would sons. favour by her neighbours and as Buchan as n prophet sent from
Nevertheless, not a few of her the belief spread that the Millen- and His angels appearing in their followers believed to the end of their Ilvos that she was more than mortal, It happened; however, that In a A period of great excitement fol- nium was at hand.
hind had been sent to earth on a church one Sunday she awoke to the lowod. Large meetings were held at "No true bellever." Mrs. Buchan Fiscal's Fear
When the
special mission to lead the elect to Joyful fact that at last she had met which Mr. Buchan, with great declared, "would die."
The excitement was intense as the realms of bilas. That this great the wicked with a kindred spirit. The preacher fervour and eloquence delivered her last trumpet sounded, war the Rev. Hugh White minister wonderful message. By-and-by, she would be struck dead, and remain they hurriedly prepared for the undertaking had been brought to of the Relief Church in Irvine. So told her followers that they must in, that condition for a thousand mighty event. We are told, that the nought by the direct muchinations touched was she by his discourse leave Irvine and await the Lord's years, while, throughout that period, men had their hair cut short, leaving of the Evil One was the firm beller
with the Lord. In their only a tuft at the, that the vecote him a long latter, ex- coming in another place. As a mat- the elect.
frm grip 4
to
pull pressing her gratitude for the com- ler at fact the authorities had al- midst. would inherit the earth angels might get by which the of the faith disciples of Elspeth -fort and uplift he had given her, ready ordered them out of the town sinless earth, where life would be them safely upwards! One of theif
stances..
soctites.
Heaven.
peculiar
converts new
and emaciated. After
attire themselves In their best were clothes, for now the momentous hour
m/det,
the
L. C..M.
MQU
25 "Once nice
(13).
DOWN
1 To rotale about soldiers pro-
duces an injury (0).
2 This deceptive appearance (8),
is a trick of this (6).
413 down upside down (0),
A principality (6),
6 Plan (7)
7 Buy this, and see the world
(6)
12 A famous lalond (4).
13 A spot of variety? (4),
20 Lie close (0).
30 Does this creature go bad about
his home? (0).
32. The best kind of ending, for
story or puzzle (5).
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION BEST RIDE CUTTERĮ
THOROUGH BUBEN
NAUSEOUS
REAL
ARANI A
8 A.NDOW
GʻLADI.
OB
0