SAILORS' REST AND HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7862, 3 February 1887, Page 3

SAILORS' REST AND HOME.

The anniversary of the Sailors' Heat and Home was celebrated last evening by a ten and social gathering, and there was a very large attendance, not only of Bailors and visitor*, bat of lady friends, who took a great interest in the proceedings. The room was crowded and uncomfortably hot, showing the great necessity for the new building which Is to he erected, but notwithstanding this great drawback the meeting was so hearty and enjoyable that the discomfort was not very greatly felt. The room was neatly festooned with flags, and further ornamented with Island curios, spears, arrows, war clubs, &c., and the president's table was gay with bouquets of flowers. Tea was laid at halt • past six o'clock, and after the temporary tables had been re« moved, the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie. Bishop of Auckland, Prenident and founder of the association, took the chair, and the proceedings were opened with sißging and prayer. Several other hymns followed. Miss Edgecombe sang the solo parts of the hymn, "Where is My Wandering Boy Ton night ?" the audience taking up the chorus very effectively. His Lordship said, on behalf of the Sailors' Home, he offered a welcome to those visitors from England and elsewhere who were present. Those who enjoyed the advantages of a Sailors' Home in England would be glad to find that such an institution was established here ; and, although they were still only beginning, they should be con« gratulated on the progress that had been made. Next year they would meet in a really fine building, and in a cooler climate, he hoped, and with more accommodation. He had now to offer a cordial welcome to those who were present from England and other places. The Rev. Mr. Fell read letters of apology and regret for unavoidable absence from Miss Agnea Maansell, and Mr. Evans from the Thames. Several musical selections followed, and Mr. Fell read two letters received from mothers in Aberdeen and Bristol, thanking them for what had been .done for their boys. A reading by Miss Challick, "Our Sailor Lad," was very feelingly given, and the solo, " The Green Hill Far Away," by a gentle* man, followed. His Lordship then gave an address. He had first, on behalf of the sailors, to express their thanks to the ladies and friends who, during the past year, night after night, and afternoons also, attended here to afford help in various ways. They had heard the letter of that kind lady, Miss Mauntell, read, in which she conveyed her sense of the advantages she had herself derived from helping others, and they hoped that in years to come all who came to assist in this work would themselves derive a direct benefit to their souls. He wished to say, for the information of sailors, that this Home was not a charitable institution. They had an endowment left them by that bene* factor to Auckland, the late Mr. Costley, and by tbat the institution was maintained ; and therefore, sailors who came here need not feel that ttey were under any obligation. (Cheers.) This institution was not a charitable institution, supported by public (subscription, but wag due to the self-denial and generosity of Mr. Costley. But the institution was begun before they had any idea of receiving Mr. Costley's bountiful gift, and it was with the idea that the comforts of a home should be provided. This was part of the scheme, and it would be a disappointment, in* deed, if it was not made as com* fortable as any boardlngboase. The plana for the new building, the first pile of the foundation of which would be driven next day, were drawn with a view to affording a real home for sailors, and where they should f«el that no matter how muoh money they had to spend they would go nowhere else in preference to their own home. They had not yet been able to draw up regulations, but when the new building was erected it was necessary that they should have regular tions so a* to prevent license interfering with the liberty of others. The purposes for which the institution was established were social, intellectual, moral, and religious, and he spoke with authority on this subject, for it was started by himself and a few friends. It was not intended that there should be any proselytising here ; and the religion they wished to encourage was to " walk honestly, i do justly," etc., and that was the sum of the ' religion which was to be taught here. His Lordship said that he had just returned from a journey to a rough country, some 40 miles north of Auckland, where their people wera very scattered, and he contrasted their disadvantages with the advantages of those who lived in towns. Last Sunday he was at a church on a hill. There was not a house within a mile of it, and the settlers around had to come from long distances over bad roads and through fern and bush to attend Divine service. Ho had himself to walk a mile, and the heat was intense. He spent the night as the guest of an hospitable old soldier, who brought to hia mind some incidents of life in India and Afghanistan, His Lordship then gave a humourous description of the Afghans, who ware described to him by bis Mahomedan driver as very religious and very strict but ?reat scoundrels and notorious thieves, n faot, they were the most expert thieves in the world, and he gave an instance of how a valuable Arab horse which had been bought for 600 guineas by the colonel of a regiment, was stolen by one of these fellows. Mr. Fell then gave a report of the progress made during the past year, which was very encouraging. The attendance at all their meetings was most satisfactory, and the assistance they received from their lady workers was beyond all praise. Over 400 men bad become abstainers daring the year, making over 1500 in all since they started. He read a number of extracts from letters he had received from men who had been at the Home, and who spoke in feeling terms of the kindness and blessing they had received through it. Several other musical selections followed, and the proceedings were closed with prayer.