BRITISH SAILORS' SOCIETY,

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 74, 29 March 1932, Page 3

BRITISH SAILORS' SOCIETY,

Eastertide at the rooms of the British Sailors' Society was a time of happy memories for the large number of men in port.. On Good Friday a song service was held, at which there was a record attendance. The men chose their own favourite hymns and sang with a zest that was good to listen to. After the Benediction had been pronounced, a hot-cross bun supper was served by the young ladies of the society. On Saturday the race for the Mercantile Marine Cup was held, in conjunction with the Sea Scouts' regatta, the winning crew being from the Port Alma, with the Piako men second. This was the finest finish to any race tor this cup, there being only five seconds between first and second, and two seconds between second and third. The cup and prize money were presented at the rooms of the British Sailors' Society in the evening by Captain A. V. | Hale-Monro, after which the evening was a social one; games, etc., were indulged in, supper was sewed, and a very happy, time, brought to a close at 10.30 p.m. On Easter Sunday there was a goodly number present for the sailors' tea, presided over by Misses Curran and Ede, and full justice was done to the good things provided. A large congregation assembled for the Gospel service; a very stirring address was given by Mr. T. Steele, after which the song service provided the happy time tjiat is one of the outstanding features of this society. Supper was served before the men left for their ships. On Monday a very happy party set off for the picnic at Maori Bank by motorbus. Here a very pleasant time was spent in games, sports, swimming, etc. A football match between the seamen and .mission resulted in a win i'or the seamen. The return to town was a musical one from start to finish. In the evening a concert was given by Mr. Bevan and party to a crowded audience. Each item was greeted with applause, the performers having to resporid with encore after encore. At the conclusion a vote of thanks to Mr. Bevan was carried with acclamation. Supper was served«by the young ladies of the society, the evening concluding with the National Anthem. Items were contributed by Mesdames Rosenthal, Oddy, and Metcalfe, Misses B. Rosenthal and Margaret Oates, and Messrs. L. Bevan and R. Bennett. Mrs. Metcalfe was the accompanist.