BRITISH & FOREIGN SAILORS’ SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 17314, 30 March 1920, Page 7

BRITISH & FOREIGN SAILORS’ SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING OF OTAGO BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Otago ' branch of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society was held in the'Sailors’ Rest, Rattray street, last evening. Mr A. H. Hey- - cock presided over a good attendance. I , The proceedings opened with the read- ' mg of Scripture by Mr J. W. Todd, foi- i lowed by phayer by Mr H. Redell. i Tho Chairman, in moving the adoption ; of the annual report, reviewed the work done by the society during the past year. Tim Rev. C. Dallaston, in seconding the adoption of the report, said it was a grand thing to be a Christian worker, and to discover what the work of their Christian life meant. He referred specially to the good work done by the society during the year both at Dunedin and Port Chalmers. It was a wonderful thing to win one man to Jesu6 Christ, and many sailors had come to the fold through the labors of the society. In giving sendee to the seamen they were really paying a great debt, as these men went throughout tremendous hardships throughout the war period for the freedom of the British nation. If they won these men to God they were serving their master and bringing a- blessing on thousands of wives and children. The balance-sheet, as presented by the treasurer (Mr 0. E. Beckingsale), was adopted on tho motion of Mr D. L. K. : Walker, seconded by Mr A. Paterson. i The Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt said he was pleased to be present at that meeting. His interest in sailors and sailors’ rests dated back to his early childhood. He desired to congratulate the workers on their activities. A splendid self-sacrificing service had been done, and one could not j fully estimate the scope of the labors of the society during the past year. When they realised the deeds performed by the men of the sea during the war they understood the great debt they owed to these men who go down to the sea in ships. The best service they could do for them when in port wag to bring them to the j service of God. The open door here in ! the way of the Sailors’ Best meant so j much to. the sailor who landed in a country ' * far away from his home and - family. It i | was a joy to the speaker to know of the ; I interest and the spirit of the work carried 11 out at both the Dunedin and Port Chat- 1 | mers’ Rests. He was pleased to hear that | the work of the society had been carried I on without undue financial strain, and I that- there was a satisfactory credit balance | remainim- at the close of the year’s work. I No one, however, could lully estimate 1 the spiritual influences -which had been | brought to bear in their work. The com- | munit-y were unable adequately' to repay the men of the mercantile marine for their : jj great work, and if they were unable to do I much alleviate the conditions under : | which they worked they should regard it I as their duty and privilege to help them, | when they came to port, to combat the 1 1 many meretricious attractions which as- ; I sailed them when away from their homes. E It was something to be thankful for that | the society -were able to give these men a I hearty welcome and the comforts of a , | home when they 'visited these shores. , | Mr Buchan then gave a resume of the I past year’s work, and made an appeal for I heln in getting better living and working : g| conditions for seamen. ‘ : | A vote of thanks was passed to the i I executive officers, and the retiring auditor 11 (Mr High Mitchell) was re-elected to that | position and thanked for his past ser- j | vices. •- 9 ii i»i—-i.i 11