HELPING HAND MISSION

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 245, 15 October 1891, Page 5

HELPING HAND MISSION

The closing meeting in connection with the anniversary of the Helping Hand Mission was celebrated last evening in the Hall in Freeman's Bay by an entertainment for the young people of the Sabbathschool. It is estimated thab 350 children and about 100 adults were present. Mr W. H. Smith presided, and before calling upon Mr 11. Smith to exhibit his pictures by means of the .limelight, said he had a pleasant duty to perform, and one that rarely occurs, and that was to make a presentation to a member of the mission. This was to Mr W. G. Gallot, who is employed on the wharf, and who some four years ago, while about his duties awaiting the arrival of one of the U.S.S. Company's boats, was startled by hearing the cries of a drowning woman. He succeeded in raising an alarm, secured a rope, and with the aid of another rescued a lady who proved to be the stewardess of the Aorangi, and who in the darkness missed her way and fell over the wharf. Mrs McDonald has been of late in a similar capacity on board the Manapouri, and took the earliest opportunity after finding out by a mere accident-the name of her rescuer, to suitably award him by a present of a fine large copy of Cassell's illustrated Bible. Mrs Gallob in a fgw suitable words acknowledged the gift on behalf of her husband, who was ill. Mrs McDonald also said a few words expressive of her gratitude. . Complaints were made last night of the absence of the. local policeman, ac the hall was infested with hoodlums from other parts of the city, who gave a warm time of it to the teachers in charge of the door. Over 400 bags containing fruit and other good things were distributed. The workers of the mission express the warmest gratitude for the sympathy and interest shown by the public in connection with 'the various meetings, and to the friends from other churches who helped. We omitted to mention that the preparation of the orchestra which so admirably accompanied the voices of the children, and the accompaniment on the harp, was due to Mr Chas. Handley, who is the leader of the Freeman's BayMissionOrchestra. ltWASftlaoannounced that Mrs Spptt, fehe evangelist from Christchurch, would commence her mission next Sunday, and a request was made, that attendants from other clmrqbea would stop away end ao make room for non-church-SQ©r»