SAILORS’ SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 19519, 29 March 1927, Page 4

SAILORS’ SOCIETY

MEETING OF LOCAL BRANCH The Otago branch of the British and ‘ Foreign Sailors’ Society held its an- ‘ nual meeting last evening, when Mr C. E. Beckingsale occupied the chair. There was a good attendance, including i the members of the South Dunedin 1 Baptist Choir. 'The eleventh annual report, which ; ivas presented by tho secretary (Mr H. H. Driver), read as follows The work (carried on by the society on behalf of 1 tile seamen had been continued ' throughout the year with fidelity, and although no great achievements were recorded lasting good had been done, i Indebtedness was expressed tho honorary missioned, Mr W. Buchan and Mr D. L. K. Walker, for their selfdenying labors. For many years they had devoted themselves gratuitously to the noble work of caring for the sailors who frequented our ports Mr D. L. K Walker, honorary missioner at Per; Chalmers, reported that they had hao a busy year with the visiting sailors, ' but they were happy with such a fine company of workers. There had been sixty-nine vessels in Port, and the men had made full use of the Rest. They enjoyed the open fire, and they were grateful to Mrs Mill ior continuing to supply the coal, which the late Mr Jobe Mill donated for many years. They were greatly indebted to the Unitarian Bible Secretary, of London, for a large grant of Bibles, portions in the Norwegian and Swedish languages. The whole expenditure of maintaining the work had been locally defrayed. Mr Buchan reported that tho past yeai in Dunedin had not been a strenuous one, because practically hall the ships coming here had been manned by foreign crews. “The sailor when he arrives at ; our port,” continued Mr Buchan, “ is not altogether free Irom the temptation so ably described by Frank Bullen, and tho old Rest becomes a city of refuge from the avenger of blood in the form of the dapper, who has given Dunedin's waterfront a rather unsavory reputation.” The present Rest was unworthy of a city so flourishing as Dunedin with a port so busy, and it compared ill with the Rests in other nautical centres. The adoption of this report was moved by tho chairman and seconded by the Rev. E. S. Tuckwell. who gave an interesting address.^ The motion was carried. Tho President, who is also treasurer of the branch, presented tho balancesheet. Ho was pleased to report that the employees of M’Leod Bros, had given them a portion of their wages lor several mouths to assist in giving meals to seamen who were out of work. ■ The Salvation Army Shelter had also proved of great assistance. They had a total fund of £1.087 as the nucleus for a building fund, and hoped later on to be in a position to enter upon a new building scheme. j Mr A. Mitchell moved the adoption of tho balaijco-sheot, which Mr H. K. Wilkinson seconded. | Tho following is the list of ofneers I elected for the coming year:—President, Mr H. K. Wilkinson; vice-presi-dents. llcv. J. M. Simpson, 8.A., and Mr A. Mitchell; hon. auditor, Mr David Leslie; committee —Messrs H. H. Heycock, Adam Paterson. George Swain, Win. Buchan, D. L. K. Walker, A. C. Fleming, John Wilkinson, H.C. Campbell. Mrs Anderson, Mrs and Miss Inglis, Miss glcamie Hall, Miss Johnstone, Miss Baton, Messrs D. Moir, Chandler, W. S. Reddell. and D. Macdonald. , The Rev. J. M. Simpon, 8.A., moved —“ That we heartily congratulate the lion, missioners, Mr William. Buchan and Mr D. L. iv. Walker, on the services they have been enabled to render the seamen during the past year; that we tender to them and to their ’ady helpers our warm thanks, and wish for them all another year of happy and fruitful service.” The motion was carried. Mr D. L. K. Walker returned thanks ■ on behalf of the workers of tho mission. Tlio meeting was brought to a close with' an enjoyable supper.