BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS

Evening Star, Issue 21075, 12 April 1932, Page 1

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS

OTAGO SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING The fourteenth annual meeting of the British and Foreign Sailors’' Society, Otago branch, was held last night, the president (Mr W. Chalmers Thomson) being in the chair. In his opening remarks the chairman welcomed those present, and stressed the excellence of the. service the secretary was rendering to seamen, . who always felt the want of a home away from home. The annual report stated that many, • unforeseen circumstances in the ship-' ping line and in connection with sea-' men had arisen. Many vessels were lying idle, which, meant that the num-• her of sailors seeking the society’s help J was greatly diminished. While there-; were some five overseas ships in portevery week at one time, there were now only about five a month. The society’s policy was to receive any bona j fide seaman, regardless of nationality. ; Thanks were due to all who had as- ; sisted the society in the entertaining of the men, and to the honorary mis- ; sioners (Mr W. Buchan and Sir D. L.K. Walker), and to the ladies for the’ valuable work they had put in in pro-, viding suppers each night for the men,- ! On the motion of Mr A. Loudon, the; annual report and the missioners’ re-] ports were adopted. Mr Loudon spoke' of the aim and object of the society in bringing before the visiting seamen the spiritual side of their lives, and in developing the social and moral sides also. The balance-sheet presented by the treasurer (Mr C. E. Beckingsale) showed that the society was financially sound. The Rev. J. K. Simpson moved the adoption of the balance-sheet, and paid a tribute to the mission workers, who gave the local rest the reputation of being the rest in the dominion where the spiritual aspect was most outstanding. Ho trusted the work of the society would continue as it had in the past. Mr F. Martin seconded the motion, which was carried. Office-bearers were elected as follows President, Rev. J. M. Simpson vice-presidents—Messrs H. 3L Wilkin--8011, L. A. Brunton; secretary, Mr L, J. Dunbar; treasurer, Mr C. E. BeckMusical items were given by the following:—Mr R. W. Dunbar, Misses M.and 6. M'Fadden, Miss A. Buchan, Messrs D. Wallace and A. Miller. Miss J. Inglis, official accompanist of the society, presided at the piano.