SHIPWRECK RELIEF

Evening Star, Issue 19579, 10 June 1927, Page 10

SHIPWRECK RELIEF

SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Shipwreck Relief Society of Now Zealand was held yesterday in the Town Hall, Mr C. W. Chamberlain being in the chair, Tho annual report stated: — “The society was only called upon to afford relief to tho extent of £67 10s during the year, made up as follows:—Relief of crow i’ora, £7 K.)s; crew Opun, £10; and crew of launch which met with an accident at Tauranga, £SO. Tho sum of £SO was also donated to the British Sailors’ Society. To the Union Steam Ship Company the executive arc again deeply grateful for the handsome contribution of £6-15 Os (id to the .society’s funds, this amount being received from entertainments held on board tho company’s steamers. The committee also desires to express its thanks to the Huddart, Parker Co.. Ltd., for the amount of £35 received from entertainments held on board the s.s. Ulimaroa. To tho captains, officers, pursers, and crews of the vessels concerned tlie committee expresses its appreciation of this continued interest in the welfare of the society. Tho executive also desires to gratefully acknowledge the following donations:— Westport Coal Company, Auckland Harbor Board, Otago Harbor Board, Wellington Harbor Board, the sum of £lO 10s each; Oaiuaru Harbor Board, tho sum of £3 8s; Invercargill Borough Council, Riverton Harbor Bouid, Nelson Harbor Board, Wanganui Harbor Board, Gisborne Harbor Board, the sum of £2 2s each, Thames Harbor Board, Wairoa Harbor Board, the sum of £1 Is each. The best thanks of the society aro again duo to Captain Atwood, its representative at Auckland, for the üble manner in which ho has assisted in administering relief in the Auckland district, and for the callable way in which ho lias looked after the society’s affairs in the north. To Mr W. A. Kennedy, tho society’s Wellington representative, best thdnksjuc also duo for similar services rendered. It is with deep regret that the committee has to refer to the death of Mr N. Galbraith, a member of tho executive, who took a keen interest in tlie society, and tho executive desires to express its heartfelt sympathy with his widow and family.”

In moving the adoption of the annua! report and balance-sheet, tho Chairman said he regretted the absence of tho president (Sir William Sira), who was in the North Island. They had been fortunate that during the past year no serious shipping casualty had occurred on tho coast. The total amount expended in relief to distressed seamen had boon less than £7O. There was a sum in the oalanccsliect of £49 17s 3d donated to tho British Sailors’ Society. He might explain that the sum given had been £SO, but they had saved 2s 6d owing to the exchange being in their fa-or. Ho would suggest that, .rememb. mg what tho mercantile marine had il-anc for them in tho late war, they might well make this donation an annual subscription. They would sec that the Union Steam Ship Company had, as usual, been their steadfast arid prir.cipal supporter, the handsome sum of £650 having been raised for tho society by tho masters, officers, anj men of the company’s fleet. Interest cn investments now amounted to_ a considerable .sum. Their capita] was within 15s Id of £12,000, and had they known tho position in time they migat havemade a big push to secure tlie extia 15s Id. (Laughter.) Even without this amount he thought their financial position was ' highly satisfactory. (“Hear, hear.”) They must all regret the death of Mr Noil t'lalhraitu. who had been a member of their committee. lie was a well-known and respected shipping man, and had been a keen worker for the society. Another loss to tho society had been brought about by the fact that ■ Mr F. O. Bridgeman, who was at present visiting the Old Country, did not desire le-e.'ec-tion to tho committee. He had done a great deal for the society, and was one of the oldest members of tho committee. He thought that Sir George Fenwick and himself were the only two left of tho first committee.

In seconding the motion Sir George Fenwick said the society should bo congratulated upon the fact that no serious shipping casually had occurred during the year. ■ It was satisfactory to know they had funds _ which would enable them to give assistance if it were required. The following bfficc-boarcs wore appointed : Patron, the Governor-Gene-ral (Sir Charles Fergnsson); vicepatrons, Right Hon. J. G. Coates and Hon. W. D. Stewart; president, Sir William Simlion, solicitor, Mr J. A. Cook; auditor, Mr C. R. Smith; committee—Messrs C. W. Chamberlain, G L. Demiiston, W. Clarke, Captain Fraser,'Sir George Fenwick, E. C. Hazlett, J. M'lntosh, S. K. Sleigh, D. E. Theomin, H. L. Tapley, and F. Tyson. A vote of thanks was accorded the Union Steam Ship Company, its officers, and crews for the assistance rendered. : ■ *

The question of making an annual contribution to the British Sailors’ Society was left to the incoming committee. •