AUCKLAND SAILORS' HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1926, Page 13

AUCKLAND SAILORS' HOME.

CRITICISM OF CHARGES. QUESTION OF CHARITABLE AID. The forty-first annual general meeting of the Auckland Sailors' Home was held in the library of the institute last evening, the Rev. E. C. Budd presiding. Details of the annual report and bal-ance-sheet were published in last Monday's "Star."' During the past two years, said the president, something had been done to make the home a cleaner, more wholesome, and more comfortable place. Necessary alterations, improvements, and repairs had been carried out; and it was expected that further money would be spent on the home during the coming year. The council, said Mr. Budd, could commend itself for its efforts. In reference to a criticism of the charges made at the home, the president said that the charge for a bed was 2/6 a night or 15/ a week, each man receiving clean bedding. Considering the expense of washing the bedclothes, he did not think that the charges were excessive. Notwithstanding, if it could be shown that the management could reduce its charges, it would be very pleased to do so. As regards the suggestion that the home should "go in for more charity," Mr. Budd said that there was certainly a great deal of distress among seamen. He did not see, however, how the home could do anything further towards relieving the distress. If the general public provided the means the management would do whatever it could. Orjlv recently the sum of £107 had been written off as bad debts, while one man, who owed the home £60 for board, was still being accommodated. Thus the home was at least doing something towards charity. The Mayor (Mr. G. Baildon), in moving a vote of thanks to the retiring committee and management of the horne 5 , said that he now realised the amount of work to be covered by those connected with the institute. Mr. E. H. Potter said that the balancesheet showed that the home was not making anything out of the sailors, the charges made being but very little above cost. Resolutions of thanks to Mr. A. W. Benton, the missioner of the Auckland branch of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, and to Dr. D. N. W. Murray, honorary surgeon, were adopted. The following officers were electedPresident, Mr. G. R. Magee; vice-presi-dent, Mr. W. M. Commons; members, the Mayor of Auckland (ex officio), the chairman of the Harbour Board (ex officio), the Rev. E. C. Budd, and Messrs W. Tully, E. H. Davis, E. H. Potter' J. Trevethiek, G. W. Sanders, and tain C. Little. Dr. Murray was reelected honorary surgeon.