WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1892.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 141, 15 June 1892, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1892.

Among the many institutions in Auckland that have benefited by the munificent bequests of the late Edward Costley, the Sailors' Home occupies a prominent place. The slender resources at the disposal of those who wished to found a;Home for seamen would in all probability have caused the project to languish for years, if the unexpected windfall of had not given an impetus to the movement, and rendered it practicable to carry' a scheme into effect for the benefit of sailors on a scale which the most sanguine supporters had hardly dared to anticipate. > J *

As everyone knows, the name of Bishop Cowie is inseparably associated with efforts made ot recent years on behalf of seamen at this port. Until within the last decade, New Zealand was very far behind the other colonies in making provision for sea-faring men. At some of the principal shipping ports nothing was done beyond occasional visits paid to ships by a chaplain, in addition to entertainments got up at intervals for sailors by the kindness of private persons. It had long been felt that we owed a duty to those who go down to the sea in ships, and Bishop Cowie, in common with many others, felt that the time had come When some active steps should be taken to open a Home where sailors would not only find suitable accommodation when on shore, but where they' would to some extent be shielded from these harpies who, in every shipping port in the world, are found ' ever ready to take advantage of Jack's goodnature and inexperience. ,' ' - ;

The necessity for a Sailors' Home was very apparent to those who remember the free and rollicking way in which sailors were accustomed to spend their money in the early, days of Auckland. Thirty years ago the temperance movement had comparatively little influence upon the sea-faring class; now it is no uncommon thing for a whole ship's crew tobe total abstainers; but at that time few persons believed that a sailor, could .endure the hardships encountered in cold latitudes without his daily allowance of spirits. When Jack walked"on *sh'or_'-withvh'is pockets full of money, he was looked upon as a pigeonreadyuo, be, plucked. Touts were always at hand to conduct him to the public-house, or to more questionable haunts. In the goodness of his heart he ''snouted" for allcomers, and, making midnight hideous with his revelry, wound up by being run in by the police. Many sailors who were naturally inclined tO be sober, were drawn into mischief by otheis, and even those "who wished to live quietly found that the boarding-houses to which sailors repaired, possessed little of real comfort. With regard to his spiritual well-being, services were occasionally held by various ministers on board some ship in harbour; but, both socially and religiously, the sailor of those times found himself almost completely ostracised/-;•;• *,

The Sailors' Home, which, as we have'said, owes its existence mainly to the exertions of the Bishop of Auckland in the first instance, and to the libeiality of the late Edward Costley in the second, aims at supplying both these wants. A sailor, when in port, is boarded at a reasonable sum per week at the Home, he meets with brother mariners from all parts of the world, has access to a library, and Finds provided those games and amusements which bring bim into contact with the social life, of his fellows. If he takes an interest in religious services, he finds ample provision made for them en Sunday, and if he is in quest of employment he is able to gain such information at the, Home as be requires. If he is short of money, the Distressed Sailors' Fund aims at his relief, or if laid, up with sickness, he never fails to find sympathising friends among the Committee. -

To conduct a Sailors': Home so as to make it in every respect a success, is by no means ari easy task, and it is to the credit of the manager, and to ! those ladies and gentlemen who'volun- ; tarily give their services, that so few ! complaints have been heard in the past.' We do not think we err in saying, that at the first establishment of the Home there was a tendency to run the establishment too much on what are commonly termed " goody-goody." lines. All sorts of well-meaning people, without any experience of the habits and idiosyncrasies of sailors, pressed forward to tender their services. In the j opinion of some ot these good-natured persons, Jack was a dangerous person who could only be kept out of mischief either by being set to play draughts, or by listening to a sermonette from some enthusiastic female. It was matter of common'complaint by sailors that they could not enjoy a ! quiet talk with their comrades without being subjected to these' inflictions. Now, as a matter of fact, sailors as a body have not only a keen sense of the ludicrous, but while they have a great reverence for religion, they decidedly object to be treated as if they were a lot of naughty boys. Many of the sailors who come into our port are highly intelligent, and in some instances, well-educated men. They are as fond of a joke or a bit of fun as anyone, and they gratefully acknow-

ledge the efforts of ladies and gentlemen who exert-themselves to afford them entertainment and amusement. We are glad to learn that in this respect those who take an interest in the Home have learned wisdom by experience. They may take it for granted that the more freedom given to sailors within reasonable" limits, so much more will the popularity of the Home increase. Sailors do not like to be shepherded any more than other people, and the interest "'they take.not only, in the social gatherings of t the Home, but in the Sunday services and Bible classes, show that the efforts of the management in this respect are highly appreciated. ;, - .: '

One important branch connected with the Home is the Savings Bank, and, by depositing with the Superintendent, many, a sailor'is enabled to take a nice little sum with him when he leaves, instead of scattering his money right and left with that lavish carelessness for:: which 'Jack is proverbial. The number of resident boarders,, we; learn from the report, is somewhat less than last-year, but this is accounted for owing to steamers so largely taking the place of sailing ships. On the whole, as. will be seen by the report read at the annual meeting yesterday, the managers are to be congratulated on the /success': of. the year's operations, and the voluntary helpers, who deserve the highest praise for their self-denying efforts' % the past, should bey encouraged; by what has been accomplished to continue their good work. with sanguine hopes of future success.