BRITISH SAILORS

Evening Star, Issue 22919, 29 March 1938, Page 13

BRITISH SAILORS

ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY At the annual meeting of the Otago branch of the British Sailors’ Society last night the Rev. J. G. Dunn (vicepresident) was in the chair. There was a large attendance of members. The annual report stated, inter alia: .—The society has endeavoured to continue its work for the benefit of seamen of all nationalities who have visited this port, and the committee has at all times sought to extend an encouraging hand to all their visitors. In July, 1937, the golden jubilee of the work was fittingly remembered in a function held in the Sailors’ Rest. Many of the society’s earnest helpers of former days were present. The friends of the late Mr and Mrs D.. L. 0. Walker gathered at Port Chalmers on March 21 to do honour to the society’s missioners of many years’ service. A suitable tablet commemorating their life work was erected, together with their photographs in the Sailors’ Rest, Port Chalmers, the memorial being the gift of Mr Glassford Walker, of Edinburgh. The society is grateful to the ‘ Otago Daily Times ’ Company Ltd. and ‘ Evening Star ’ Company Ltd., Coulls, Somerville, Wilkie Ltd., Williamson Jeffery Ltd. (stationery), and to the various merchants of this city for their continued donations of foodstuffs. To all those who have assisted personally and financially the society extends its thanks. Again we record our appreciation of the untiring efforts of the Women’s Committee, which has attended to the suppers,'general catering, and entertaining of the seamen. Mr Buchan has continued in his office as tnissioner, and has given of his best. Subsequent to the death of Mrs Walker the society appointed Mr D. Macpherson to the position of missioner at Port Chalmers : and reports would show the success which has attended his term of office. MISSIONERS’ REPORTS. ’ The report of the Dunedin missioner (Mr W. Buchan) stated, inter alia:— In some respects the year has been uneventful in the mission as far as the work is concerned. Altogether about 50 overseas vessels came to Dunedin, including oil tankers with Chinese crews. From 30 of those vessels close on 400 men attended the mission and were hospitably entertained by the workers in the Rest. The report of the Port Chalmers missioner (Mr D. Macpherson) showed that the Rest had been well patronised and that splendid services had been held. The financial report stated that thanks were due to the Shipwreck Relief Society for a donation of £ls 15s, also the Otago Harbour Board for £lO 10s. The Port Chalmers Presbyterian Church gave £4 and the Port Chalmers Corporation £3 3s to the Port Chalmers Rest. The Matthews Trust contributed £lO each to the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Rests, and Mr A. W. Mitchell collected £25 10s 6d from various friends. The general account closed with a credit balance of £2O 19s 9d, and the Port Chalmers Rest account showed a small debit balance of £1 6s. The R ev. W. Allen Stevely moved the adoption of the annual report. The whole value of the work was contained in two words, “ fellowship ” and “ service,” he said. He congratulated the society on its magnificent eflort to meet the seamen with friendship and service, which was one of the finest w r orks for the men of the sea. The reports were adopted. OFFICERS ELECTED. The following officers were elected:— President, the Rev. J. M. Simpson; vice-presidents, the Rev. J. Gilman Dunn and Mr J. A. Thomson; hon. secretary, Mr Leslie Dunbar; hon. treasurer, Mr C. E. Beckingsale; hon. auditor, Mr David Leslie; missioners, Mr W. Buchan (Dunedin) and Mr D. Macpherson (Port Chalmers) ; committee — Mesdames Inglis, Anderson, and J. Walker, Misses Hall, Inglis, and John-

stone, Messrs George Buckley, A. Paterson A. W. Mitchell, T. Jackson, L. A Brunton, G. F. Mirams, and James Walker, and Dr A. F. Falconer. _ Mr T. Jackson, the society s visitor to the boats, also spoke, and voiced his intention to give his services as long as he was able. During the evening songs were contributed by Miss M. Ritchie and Mr Irwin Douglas, and the accompaniments were played by Miss J. Inglis.