A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Evening Star, Issue 22351, 29 May 1936, Page 5

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

SHIPWRECK RELIEF SOCIETY AMENDMENT DEFEATED The annual meeting of the Shipwreck Relief Society of New Zealand was held in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. His Honour Mr Justice Kennedy (president) was in the chair. In moving the adoption of the annual report aud balance sheet (already published), the Chairman said it was very satisfactory to note that only two cases of shipwreck had been dealt with during the year. They had, hovevor, dining that time a reminder that the perils of the sea still existed and that theie. might be a demand on the funds of the society, which only tho immunity ot past years would enable it to at once. Members hoped _ that the immunity would long continue, but if it did not, they must be prepared to meet disaster. It was for that reason that they noted with thankfulness the receipt of legacies of £450 from the estate of the late Mrs E. L. E. Fenwick and of £155 11s 2d from the estate of Miss Helen M'Leod, of Broad Bay. The report also recorded with gratitude donations from various harbor boards and the receipts of the proceeds of concerts held on various ships. There had been some changes in the officers of the society, due chiefly to changes of residence, but the agents of the society in the various centres continuued to act. They discharged their duties of watchfulness and were prepared, should there bo a wreck, to carry out a tremendous amount of work. Their services were appreciated. Seconding the motion, Mr E. C. Hazlett supported the chairman’s remarks. They appreciated the attendance of the mayor, he said, and it was pleasing to see him taking an interest in the society. It was many years since the mayor of the city had attended the annal meeting of the society. The report and balance sheet were adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: —Vice-presidents—The Prime Minister (Right Hon. M. J. Savage) and Minister of Marine (Hon. P. Fraser); president, Mr Justice Kennedy; honorary solicitor, Mr J. A. Cook; executive—Messrs Edgar Hazlett, W. B. Cunningham, W. Clarke, G. F. M'Kollar, C. W. Sundstrum, F. C. Tyson, Captains H. A. Dillner, D. R. Fraser, Coll M'Douald, and J. C. Mac Lean; auditor, Mr C. Russell Smith; honorary treasurer, Mr W. B. Carrington. Drawing attention to the donations the society had made to the British Sailors’ Society of £IOO and to the Otago branch of the same society of £3O, tile Chairman said the executive was well satisfied that the money would bo expended in the best interests of the British sailors.

The Rev. T. Miller, chairman of tho Otago branch of the British Sailors’ Society, expressed his gratitude fbr the grants. History showed, he said', that sailors who had escaped shipwreck were at one time robbed, while in Devon efforts had boon made to entice ships on to tho rocks. There was also a Scottish superstition that ill-fortune would overtake anyone who rescued a sailor from drowning. He thought that it was tho influence of Christianity that such a state of affairs should have been altered and that such a,state of Christianity should exist.

The Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) said that the eouneil chambers ivere available to all organisations of repute. Tt was appropriate that Dunedin, which had seen the foundation of so many shipping companies should he the headquarters of ihe society. The greater safety of modern ocean ' travel made a sea voyage less hazardous than formerly, but the Dominion was growing and its growing trade must necessarily increase the number of ships coming to its shores Therefore, there was greater risk- ot disaster. The speaker congratulated the society on its financial position and said that both the bequests which the society had received during the year had come from Otago residents. He then , urged those who were drawing up wills to remember the valuable work the society was performing. Tn conclusion he commended the society on its good work and its preparation to meet any maritime disaster which might occur on the coast.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.