FOR THE SAILORS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 108, 8 May 1909, Page 2

FOR THE SAILORS.

IO THB BDITOB. Sir.— !Reingf a kw abiding and unassuming person at all times, I cannot help giving expression to my feelings concerning the mana^pmeut of what I consider ought to be one of the best-conducted institutions in Wellington. I think that auung the winter months tho Seamen's Mission should be thrown open for the use of the men from 9 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night, as it is supposed to be a refuge from temptation. Ihere is a, short service held there of a luesday evening, and as sailors constitute all nationalities and creeds, they havo to lca\e the institute during the service and" walk the streets the result being that they find themselves in the publichouses. Now, this could be averted if the men were left in peace at the institute. There was a billiard table given by a generous donor lor the use of the men, and because the wharf labourers made use of it Mr. Moore has thought fit to deprive tho men of this interesting game and hide it away in some part of the building to get moth-eaten. J-lie wharf labourers are a most hardworking arid law-abiding number of men when they are left alone, but when they aro sent on to the streets then thero is danger of temptation. On making enquiries I find that a great number of tho wharf men are ex-sailors or waiting to sign on a ship. I think it is high time that more useful and practical work was done lor the men. — I am, ere, 6th May. ' EX-SAILOR.