CHRISTMAS WITH THE SEAMEN

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 80, 28 December 1928, Page 3

CHRISTMAS WITH THE SEAMEN

HAPPY ROUND OF FESTIVITIES. On Sunday there were bright services in the morning and evening at the Sailors’ Friend Society. Mr. J. Moore, the missioner, was the preacher, and took for his subjects “The Ever Sweet Story” and "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds.” The lessons were taken by Mr. T. E. Jones. The instrumentalist in the morning was Miss Rait. and in the evening, Mr. P. Archer, in the absence of Mrs. G. Good. In the afternoon a Christmas tea was arranged for the guests by the Misses. Harper, who attended to the wants of the men with much care. At 5.30 the ever popular song service was well attended. Messrs. Weston, jun.. and Baker lent ready aid with their instruments. Throughout the day, the singing, which was of a seasonable nature, was extremely hearty. Christmas Day opened with a morning service, at which the missioner was the preacher. In the afternoon pleasures began and continued till 10.30 o'clock, and there were games that gave vim and brightness to the day. At 3.30 the guests took their seats at heavily-laden tables, when full justice was done to the viands of the season. Mesdames J. Moore, J. H. Dunn. E. Morrishy, and the Misses Wriglev, attended to the wants of the men. The antics of “Billy the Buckjumper" after the tea caused roars of laughter, as did the other games. The prize-win-ners in the day's events were Messrs. Jertain. White. Fairbrother. Somers, Mack, Hellier, and Dawes. The happy day closed with votes of thanks to donors of gifts and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Boxing Day proved too wet for outdoor sp'orts, but these were continued throughout the day in the spacious institute. so kindly donated by the late Mrs. M. A. Williams. Here, lunch, tea, and supper were served, to a merry band of men, who were loud in their praise of the proviison made to brighten what might otherwise have been a dull holiday. East beat West in the tug-of-war, while some novel events were placed on the programme by the men themselves. Valued help was given the missioner by Messrs. Dunn, Morrishy, Evans, Kite, and Darling. The prize-winners in the day's events were Mrs. Morrishy and Messrs. Hellier, Carlyle, Wilson. Powell, James, Murphy, Conlon. Kelly. Ward, Woodward, Fairbrother, and Howley.

The day closed at 10 p.m., when the party sang “God Save the King” and “Auld Lang Syne," and tendered thanks to all. The committee and the missioner desire to thauk all who gave help in any way. '