SAILORS' SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 67, 22 March 1929, Page 3

SAILORS' SOCIETY

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

The annual meeting of the British! Sailors' fciociety (Wellington branch) was held last, evening in- tho society's .rooms, 57, Cuba street. In the absence of the president (Councillor Morpeth), Brigadier Gray (Salvation Army) occupied the chair.

In the course of a short address, ths Hon. J. G. Oobbo (Minister of Marino)' congratulated tho society on the useful work it had done during tho past year; in fact, he said ho was convinced that tho valuable service rendered merited tho warmest public support. It was a. surprise to him to leant of the largo numbers of visiting seamen who had attended and been 'welcomed to the society's rooms during their shore leave.

The honorary secretary (Mr. B. Padman) in liis annual report, said that the past year had exceeded all expectations as regarded the .numbers of men who had visited the rooms.of the society; tlio number was 23,595, an increase of IS2O over List year's total; tbe: weekly; average was 433. Ho spoke in eulogistic terms of the work done by tho bright and cheery baud of workers who were ever ready to extend tho hand of friendship, to, and bid tho eailornieu welcome. The number of ships visited had been 777, an incra.se of 327 over tho previous year. This part of the work was in the hands of Messrs. Irving and Stokes, who were indefatigable in carrying out their onerous duties, which, occupied a great deal of time and required much. tact. The regular concerts and entertainments had been much appreciated, and tho thanks of the society were duo. to. those who had so ungrudgingly devoted their time and talent to this work. Acknowledgment was made of tho kindness of Mr. and Mrs. E. Quinn, of Maori Bank, Hutt Valley, for allowing tho society theuso of their grounds for picnics. Thanks were expressed to Airs. Craig, who had just completed her twenty-third year of duty as. hospital visitor. Mr. Padraaa mentioned that tho society had provided clothing and boots for quite a number of deserving cases, thanks to the kindly citizens who had assisted in this direction. Beds and breakfasts had been provided for distressed seamen to a total of 010.- During the year tho Port Nicholson Sea Scouts had become* linked with the society. It was "pointed out that the work of this branch of the society is entirely voluntary, no honorarium being paid to any worker.

His Excellency tho Governor-General is patron of the society. The election, of officers resulted as follows: —Viccpatron, tho Eight Hon. Sir Joseph G. Ward (Prime Minister); president, Mr. C. X). Morpeth; vice-presidents, Sir T. Mackenzie, the Bight Hon. J. G. Ooatcs, M.P., the Hon. Sir James Allen, M.L.C.. tho Hon. J. G. Cobbo (Minister of Marine), Messrs. J. G. Harkness, vT. H. Armstrong, 11. Jackson, and Brigadier Gray; secretaries, Messrs. B. Padman and E. O. Stokes; treasurer, Mr. 11. A. Gold; auditor, Mr. E. W. A. Kellow; port iiiissioner, Mr. 11. Jackson; deputy port missioncr, Mr. H. Irving; hospital visitor, Mrs. Craig; deputy hospital visitor, Mrs. Brown; pianist, Mrs. Piidiimn; committee, Messrs. Child, A. Brown, 11. Irving, Misses Anderson, Wilson, Weslon, and Mrs. Child.