WORK PRAISED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 93, 19 April 1940, Page 3

WORK PRAISED.

MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. AXXUAL MEETING HELD. "It the mission were a business organisation the balance-sheet might suggest that the sooner it went into liquidation the better. The influence of the mission, however, cannot be measured in terms of money, and its service right through has been 100 per cent.' , said Mr. \V. B. Darlow, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, in speaking at the annual mcetuij: of the Flying Angel Missions to Seamen la.»t nizht, when every available seat was occupied. Other speakers paid tribute? to the work of the mit*ion and .-poke of the tine effort of the port chaplain, the Kev. H. K. Vickery. The secretary. Mr. Wilfrid Sker:. said it cost about i'liHKI a year to maintain tiie mission, and it was anticipated that the revenue would fall owing to the reduction ot pas.-H-ngcr traffic. He i ej-rctled that no provision had been made to a.*s:»t merchant jvamcn flo:n patriotic fu.ids, and he appealed to the public for support.

The fact that the mission had built up an asset of goodwill anions citizens, as well a« seamen, that could not be replaced, was referred to by Mr. G. \V. Hutchison.

Reference was made by Captain \V. E. Parry, of H.M.S. Achillea, an.l Captain Barnes to the debt naval men owed to the mission in Auckland and in other ports also. .Special mention was made by Captain Pally of the hospitality extended to officers and men of Achilles by tlie mission at Burnt*? Ayres aft -r the River Plate battle.

Other speakers were Captain A. Dalsleish, Archdeacon Hawkins, Mr. P S. Wallis and Mr. A. S. Bailey, and they extended thanks to the minion and the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild.

On the motion of Mr. E. Cowell and Mr. Drumniond Holderness, officers were elected as follows:—Patron, the GovernorGeneral, Viscount Gahvay; president, Archbishop Weet-Watson; vice-presidents Captains H. M. Barnes, T. V. Hill. E. Holland. A. H. Davey and H. L. Upton; board of management. Bishop-elect of Auckland, the Major (Sir Erncn Davist, Archdeacon H. A. Hawkins, the Rev. H. K. Vickerv, Commander K. A Hull, Captain H. H. Scrzeant. Messrs. W. M Dar!ow, E. \V. J. Bowden, F. H. Uifford, \V. X. Jackson. J. \V. Manning. S Reid \V Ske-s, P. S. Wallis. Mesdames Vickery and P. Chambers and Miss T. Clerk: secretary and treasurer. Mr. Skezc: solicitor. Mr. Manning; auditor, Mr. R.~ E. Strattou.

A musical programme arranged by Miss Tliorold Clerk included items by Mis Chisholm McDowell. Mrs. .1. Hill and Mr F.rnest Snell. Mr. C. O. Ball. Mrs. Hugh Fraser was the accompanist.

A collection amounting to £19 0/6 was subscribed at the meetinz.