Merchant Navy Centre Plans Renovations

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30815, 29 July 1965, Page 6

Merchant Navy Centre Plans Renovations

During the year 8872 seamen visited the Merchant Navy Centre, an average of 29 a day according to the annual report of the centre. Although the centre had to do without a superintendent for a considerable period more visits were paid tn ships than in the previous year, with the result that 734 ships were boarded. Forty-four dances were held and 4244 suppers served. Disappointing was the poor attendance at the centre’s chapel. Television at the centre had proved extremely popular. The appointment of Mr D. Stuart as superintendent had been of outstanding benefit to the centre. The following officers were elected: — President, the Bev. Canon R. J. Witty; vice-presidents, Messrs G. F. Phillips and E. Fraser; hon. vice-presidents, the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren), the Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery (the Rev. R. J. Griffiths), and the chairman of the North Canterbury Methodist Synod (the Rev. H. C. Matthews): secretary, Mr H. E. Marshall-Wright: trea-

surer, Mr D. Stuart: life members, Mesdames J. Russell Wells, W. C. Keetley, and Messrs A. K. Dyne, T. F. M. Gobson, and W. C. Keetley; directors, the Rev. D. K. Boyd, the Rev. J. A. Witbrock, the Rev. J. Tennent, the Rev. L. T. Norwell, Commander J. C. Ellworthy, Commander M. L. Bernacchi, Captain R. E. Edwards, Messrs P. J. Byrne, G. D. Cook, H L. Herdman, C. H. Labatt, Mesdames G. Hennessy, R. C. Holcroft, M. Hope, and Miss J. R. Sneddon: superintendent, Mr D. Stuart; chaplains, the Rev. J. A. Witbrock, the Rev. J. Tennent, and the Rev. L. T. Norwell.