MISSIONS TO SEAMEN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 284, 25 August 1908, Page 7

MISSIONS TO SEAMEN.

, ANNIVERSARY MEETING: ' ' Last evening's entertainment in 'connection with- the..anniversary-..services of tho Missions -to Seamen's ■6fei^ijl ( wJi%' n {£- c successful fun^vSgmj; Hall, which was tastolully decorated, was crowded, and'a very lino soloction of-musical items graced'the programme. The Hon. W. Ball-Jonos'presided, and .there w;ore .also on' tho platform, Mrs. W. R. Williams; to whose philanthropic interest tho Mission owos its. present land, and buildiug, and several .gentleI'mon interested in the Seamen's .Mission, '• The Chairman "(Hon, W. Hall-Jones)- said that hfe had noted 'in tho annual report,- the progress achieved during tho past year, and for 'this progress it gavo him'great pleasuro to give Mr. James Mboro, the, Missionor, tho fullest credit. It' was to that gentleman's indqmitablo, energy, that ,the succoss of such, an organisation as the Wellington Seamen's Mission was largely duo. (Applause.) In this work Mr. Mooro had been ably seconded by his wife (Applause), an enthusiastic committee, and the valuable services of volunteer workers. The successful control of this kind of work required able generalship, and that qualification Mr. Mooro possessed. (Applause.) .'

Mr. Jas. Moore, Missioner, said that it was tho tenth yoar of tho Mission's inception in Wellington, and the fourth of their tenancy of the new Mission Room and Church so generously presented by Mrs. W; R. Williams. (Applause.) In tho year 1897, a total of 2122 vessels wero registered as having arrived in Wellington; in 1907, tho number had grown to 34<J3. In 1902, -thoro wore recorded for that year, 554 charges of drunkenness against seamen; in 1904 there were 340; in. 1906, .290; and in 1907, 250, (Applause.) Mr. J. G. W. Aitkon moved a motion of congratulation to Mr. Moore and those associated'with him in tho work of tho Mission. Tho Rev. A. do H. Robinson supported, and tho motion was carried by acolamation, A motion of appreciation and thanks was moved by Mr. W. T. Glasgow,' as followsr "That this meeting places on record its high appreciation of the work dono by tho Committee, tho Missioner, the, voluntary helpers, the collectors, the Press, donors of gifts, and other friends 'of. the Mission." Mr. H. E. Nicholls seconded tho motion, which was carried. On the motion of Dr. W. A. M'Arthur, S.M., a special vote of thanks was passed to Mrs. W. R. Williams, the Mission's benefactress. ' The items on the programme, solos, duets, trios, and quartets; were contributed by Mesdames' F. P. Wilson and Mitchell, and Messrs. J. Soario and Clarkson.