THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 48, 25 August 1904, Page 6

THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN.

OPENING OP THE WILLIAMS' MEMORIAL BUILDING. * DESCRIPTION OP THE INSTTUTE. This afternoon tho hundsomo now Homo of tho Missions to Seamen was opened with much ceremony by Lord Plunket in the presence of a largo and representative gathering of citizens. As is well known to our readers, the new church and institute building bus been erected on the corner 0/ Stout und Whitmore streets by Mrs. W. R. Williams as a momoiial to her lute- husband, Captain Williams. The building has a striking external appearance, tho front elevation being to Whitmore-strecb. Tho style Chosen is tho Romanesque, pleasingly tteated ; UlO roof is tiled and relieved with numerous gables, and two largo ornamental ventilation turrots. A conspicuous feature in tho frontage is a largo window, 18tt by 12ft, in which an appropriate marine design is worked out in rich colours in loaded glass". Tho architocU were Messrs. Crichtun and M'Kay, tho uuilder Mr. W. L. Thompson, the plumbers Messrs. Ballinger Bros., and Meters, bowman and R. Caipcnter did the plastering and painting respectively. The main hall is a bright and spacious apartment. Tho walls have been rolioved with pictures and photographs, and many conveniences moot the eye. There lire pleasant nebatos gas-stoves, letterracks, a filter, 11 moil-box, a 1 grnmaphone, a concert platform, und a piano, which will bo always rondy for uso. There are oven ga«-jet*t ut which the sailors may light Uutir pipes. Here and there through the building uro nooks und corners for tho storage of luggage. "Jt is 27 years' experience that has taught 1110 several wrinkles," ,»aid Mr. Moore, when piloting a Post representative over tho building. And cerUunly the placo brims over with unobtrusive little crmvenWucea that one hardly «oticcs — they seem no inevitable. Tho tea-room, which is at t4w> Iwck of tho main hall on tho ground floor, ia fitted with all possible, appliances U> ftako it complete, such as a boiler, urns, gasmeter, wimh-up Ki«nds, nnd cupboards. Tho caretaker's two rooma nre übove tlw tea -room. Tho library is a clioerful litilo place— it does not bount 20,000 subscribers at a guinea a year, and is therefore not large— and tho polyglot nature of the lilontfuro i« aAtoutshing. Th«re aw> works pubtiaiied in Nom-cgKin, French, German, Swedish, J>utch, Lettisli, Chinese, Italian, Wt'lsh, Bengali, and Jnpatvcao. Thus all tnsks arc sititod, and Ujo tasU« really do exiM. The church upstairs is bright, cheerful, and oinplc. Tho walls b«»r t©xte which are worlcs of art in lettering, and tho aisles will be covered with cocoHßttt matting. It is very like the interior of most churches, but Una ttiis advaulnge: that its lloor slopes hko that of a tlnsatre. Tho ventilation in tho new Ross system of dwtblo currents. The artificial lighting is by giw througlwut tho building, onn tl» very lat*et innovations havo beon introduced, which mako for luitamutic operitUou of tho jets, ilw church-room is equip]x>d with two handsome Corotuv ivflector fittings, which wore mado in tho Gas Company's local workshop, and do credit to the skill of' tho company's craftsmen. These pendants, which contaiu eight inauideaeent mantles each, can net oidy bo lighted or extinguished by on© operation from the pulpit, but tho pendunU) can be lowered from tho ceiling for manipulation in cnee of overh*uling or impairing. Tho autoiiuitio »ystom of lighting pccvjuls throughout UlO building. Tbo "Bijou" inverted burner, tho latest ndvetty in single lights, i« boing Jnst»Uod upon each Hoor of the stairways. Altogether tho seamen wcttl lmvo quito a palatial little club to visit. Spw)i»l programmes were presented this nfLerneon to ti>e Governor, and to Mrs. Williams, a silver unohor being attached to each. Advantage was token of tho occasion by tlja seainon to present & handsome gold souvenir to Mrs. WiHiams. A shield contained tho inscription : "Presented to Mrs. W. R. Williams by tho Missions to Seamen, aad the sailers in tho port of Wellington." Ami on tho bUides of crossed onrs theso itMitioaal words": "As, a memento of her kindness to seamen of nil nations." Tho souvenir was presented by tho Missioner (Mr. Jae. Moore).