Christmas party for old sailors

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 22

Christmas party for old sailors

Through the generosity of New Zealand merchant seamen, reinforced by the tireless efforts of the Seafarers’ Women's Auxiliary', elderly seamen are assured of a bumper Christmas party $t Lyttelton every year. Yesterday was no exception, and about 80 veterans, some of them octegenerians, including Mr D. Reed, aged 83, of Christchurch, and Mr “Bluey” Banks, aged 83, of Wellington, had an exciting reunion. Some veterans’ wives also attended, and some men came from Christchurch homes for the aged. Three men came from WeUlngton and one from Dunedin. Younger seamen also attended. A committee of six seamen’s wives organised yesterday’s party, which was held in lhe British HoteL They prepared a lavish luncheon and gave presents to aU attending. Presents were sent to those veterans who could not attend. Although strictly speaking, the party is held for merchant seamen, some ageing naval veterans also attended. Old sailors swapped yams of other days and sipped their beer contentedly. They expressed warm appreciation, especially to the seamen’s wives. To provide this annual festivity, New Zealand seamen dig deeply into their pockets. The superintendent of the Canterbury Merchant Navy Centre in Lyttelton (Mr J. E. M. BaU), who was present with his wife, said it was a magnificent effort. A spokesman for the Seafarers’ Women’s Auxiliary said that as far as was known Lyttelton was the only port in New Zealand where this particular type of function was held. But it is not only at Christmas time that these women watch over ageing seamen’s interests in this locality. During the year they keep in close touch, giving service, sympathy and practical help where needed. Although the club is primarily of interest to seamen's wives, mothers, sisters, or sweethearts are still eligible for membership. Yesterday they made a lot of people very happy. When a child is bom at sea, frequently he or she takes the ship’s name for a Christian name. Such was the case with Mrs Arawa Cullen, a sprightly octogenarian of Feast Place, Addington. Mrs Cullen was 88 last Wednesday and was born on board Shaw Savill and Albon’s attractive Arawa (steam and sail) during the liner’s maiden voyage from Britain to Port Chalmers. Her parents. Mr and Mrs R. J. Watts, were migrating to New Zealand with two other children —a boy and a girl. Mrs Cullen said yesterday that she was christened Arawa Stuart Husband Watts because the master’s name was Stuart and the ship’s doctor’s name was Husband. A widow, Mrs Cullen has lived most of her life in Christchurch. She has seven children (three sons and four daughters), more than 20 grandchildren, and 32 great-grand-children. This Arawa was sunk by submarine In 1915. ARRIVALS Japan Rimu (6.10 a.m.), 9557, Capt. Y. Kamaura, Wellington (N.S.S.). Hoimlea (7.31 a.m.), 1053, Capt. E. Savage, Wellington (U.S.S.). DEPARTURES Tarawera (3.30 p.m.), 2013, Capt. A. T. Moody, Auckland (U.S.S.). Hoimlea (5.8 p.m.), 1053, Capt. E. Savage, Wellington (U.S.S.). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Rangatira, Wellington, today. Jelunga, Timaru, Dec. 10. Hawea, Sydney, Dec. 10. Hoimlea, Wellington, Dec. 10. Rangatira, Wellington. Dec, 10. Erne, Wellington, Dec. 11. Wanaka. Auckland. Dec. 11. Meisei Mara, Bluff, Dec. 11. Wenchow, Auckland, Dec. 12. Koraki, Tauranga, Dec. 12. Zelande, Wellington, Dec. 12. Rangatira, Wellington, Dec. 12. Podgora, Dunedin, Dec. 13. Teesta, Wellington. Dec. 14. Cape Sable. Christmas Island, Dec. 14. WeUlngton Star, WeUlngton, Dec. 17.

Canterbury Star, Auckland, Dec. 18. Haparangi, WeUlngton, Dec. 19. AU, Tonga December 20. Torrens, WeUington, Dec. 31. Haurakl. WeUington, Dec. 21. Belita. Ocean Isiand, Dec. 22 Maheno. Wellington, Dec. 22. Straat Colombo, Napier. Dec. 22. Straat Clement, Napier, Dec. 22. Kanto Maru, Auckland, Dec. 23. Havana Mara, WeUlngton, Dec. 24. Straat Clarence, Auckland, Dec. 24 Neder Rijn, WeUington. Dec. 24. U.S C.G.C. Burton Island, U.S.A., Dec. 24. Marko Marulic. Auckland, Dec. 27. Cedric. South America. Jan. 2. Kashima Mara, Christmas Islands. January 4. U.S.N.S. Mirfak. DavlsvUle, Jan. 5. Tongariro, WeUington, Jan. 6. Japan Totara, Wellington, Jan. 7. Levernbank, Wellington, Jan. 7. Neder Lek. WeUington, Jan. 8. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Holmdale, Chathams, today. Japan Rimu, Dunedin, today Rangatira, Wellington, today (daylight). Rangatira, WeUington, Dec. 10. Wanaka, Dunedin, Dec. 11. Hoimlea, Welllngion, Dec. IL Rangatira, WeUington, Dec. 12 (daylight). Hawea, Dunedin, Dec. 12. Wenchow, Tauranga. Dec. 12. Erne, Dunedin, Dec. 12. Jelunga, Napier, Dec. 13. Meisei Maru. Napier, Dec. 13. Koraki, Dunedin, Dec. 13. Podgora, Napier. Dec. 14. Zelande, Dunkirk, Dec. 15. Teesta, Napier, Dec. 16. Cape Sable, Bluff, Dec. 19. Canterbury Star, Bluff, Dec. 26. Wellington Star, HuU, Dec. 20. Ata, Timaru, Dec. 20 Haparangi, Port Chaimen, Dec. 21. Haurakl, Timaru. Dec. 22. Maheno. Sydney, Dec 22 Torrens, Dunedin. Dec. 22. Belita. Napier, Dec. 27. Kanto Maru, —, Dec. 28. Straat Colombo. Tauranga, Dec. 28. Straat Clement, Dunedin, Dec. 28. Straat Clarence, Tauranga, Dec. 28. Kashima Maru. Timaru, Jan. 6. Tongariro, Timaru, Jan. 8. U.S.N.S. Mirfak, Antarctica, Jan. 8. Levernbank, Dunedin, Jan. 8. VESSELS IN PORT Japan Rimu, G.P.E. Holmdale, No. 7 East.

Other ports

AUCKLAND Arrived.—Wanaka (6.33 a.m.), Lyttelton; Hauraki (8.40 am.), Genoa, Sailed —Nedlloyd Carwel! (3.20 p.m.) Melbourne. To sail.—Straat Lagos (11.59 p.m.), Africa. NEW PLYMOUTH Arrived. — Matsushima Maru (4.30 p.m.), Lyttelton. DUNEDIN Sailed.—lcenlc (5 p.m.)> Whangarel. BLUFF Arrived.—Nedlc (4 p.m.), Timaru. “Leave first” The council’s help in controlling the Hawdon River and in constructing road access to prevent the isolation of school parties was sought in a letter from Christchurch Boys’ High School, received by the Malvern County Council yesterday. The council decided that while every effort would be made to keep the road open, school parties should really leave if there was a risk of flooding.