AUCKLAND SAILORS' HOME ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9090, 26 June 1888, Page 6

AUCKLAND SAILORS' HOME ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Sailors' Home Association was held at tho Home, Quay-street, yesterday aftenu m. Captain H. F. Anderson presided.

Mr. W. Brakenrio opened the meeting with prayer.

The following report was read by the secretary, the Hon. Colonel Haultain :— Report of the Auckland Sailors' Home for

the Year Kndkd 31st Makcu, 1838.

During the twelve months which ended on the 31sfc March, 1888, the Auckland Sailors' Homo has entered on a new phaso of operations. Tho building, which was commenced in April, 1887, was complutod and handed ovor by the contractor on the Ist of December, and before tho end of that month, the necossary furniture having boon put chased, it was ready for tho use of those persona for whose benefit it waa erected. The building is a handsome one, worthy of the admirable site which has been so liberally granted by the Harbour Board, aiv ornament to the city and port of Auckland, and a fitting nionuinont to tho memory of the lato Mr. Edward Costley, whoso mnniticent bequest has pro Tided the weans for this excellent institution. On tho ground floor aro the spacious mission hall, the social or smoking-room, tho dining-room and kitchen, with various other smaller rooms for oftices. baths, lavatory, baggago, &c. On the first rloor, besides accommodation for the master and matron, there aro the om'co, an orlicers' sittingroom, a lavatory with showorbath, and 13 separate bedrooms. On the second tioor there are a lavatory and showorbath, a sittingrooin, 14 single bedrooms, and a largo vacant room, which can be subdivided into bedrooms, should further dormitories be found necessary. Tho Institution has been divided inU> two departments, the missionary and the domestic. The former is under the superintendence of Mr. Foil, and Captain Alfred Moss and his wife have been appointed manager and matron of tho latter. Knowing the difficulties which some other similar institutions, who havo followed a ditferont coureo, have experienced, the Council determined that they would not allow indiscriminate credit to boarders, and as a consequence, some dissatisfaction has boen excited, and other adverse influences having l>oon set in motion, the number of seafaring ir.en who have taken advantage of this comfortable Home has not been so great as might reasonably have been expected. There aro other causes which are also preventing a very general use of tho upper floors ; thero aro not many deopwator siiihug vessels visiting this port; steamers remain but a few hours, and their crows aro usually hard at work, day and night, during their stay in harbour ; and ineno'-warsmeu do not appear to cure to frequent a Home chiefly used by merchant soamen; m> that those who make most uso of tho building aro chiefly the sailors belonging to coasting cratt, or engaged in tho island trade; and many of these have families living in Auckland, and when on shore do not require to soek board and lodging else where. Tho Council did not anticipate that they would be able, during this tirst year of tho Home being opened, to carry on tho mission and boarding arrangements without incurring somo qxpondituro iii excess of the income they are deriving from the unexpended portion of tho capital. The building and furniture have cost ovor £50(10, and tho sum of £7tiOO is invested on mortgage on the security of landed property ; this, with tho fow subscriptions which have been received, yields an incomo of loss than £600 a-yoar, of which more than one-fourth will be required to moot the rent of the premises in Queen-street, the lease of which does not expire for another twelve months, and the council have boen unable to suh.let them except at a considerable reduction on the rent they pay themselves; but though they will bo obliged to draw upon the capital to meet the exceptional expenditure of tho ensuing y?ar, they aro steadily determined that they will not allow any of the Costley bequest to bo permanently diverted to current expenses. As ono step towards retrenchment tho Mission Hall is only lighted up three nights in the week, as it was found unnecessary to occupy this Urge room every evening. Captain Moss hits been appointed by the Government ius shipping at (bis port, and the council have decided that no skipping fees shall bo charged against sailors frequenting tlio Home who obtain berths through this agency. A register of all sailors seeking employment, and of masters requiring men, i.s kept at the Home. Tho accounts and balancesheet, duly audited, and statoment of roceiptb and expenditure are attached to this report. Tlio mission work has been carried on in tho usual hearty and earnest manner by Mr. Fell and the volunteer workers. All vessels coming into port are regularly visited, and the officers ami men invited to make use of tho Home, ami to attend the religious services and social meetings; and correspondence is afterwards maintained with many who have protlteil by tho instruction hero afforded to thoiu. In the old premises in Queen-street, the Host was open daily, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Sundays there was a meeting at 9.30 a.m. for reading and prayer ; at 3 p.m., a Bible class ; at 5 p.m., tea; at 6.lft p.m., a short service at the wharf ; and at 7 p.m., service in the room. There was also a noon-day prayer meeting every day except Saturdays and Sundays. Social evening! were held during tho week, that on Saturday being a Temperance concert, and during the eight months of 1887, 222 persons signed the pledge, of whom 19* were seafaring men. Since the new building lifts been occupied, the council thought it desirable to discontinue the noonday prayer meetings and the tea meetings. The Sunday services are the same as before, ami tho mission hall is lighted up en Wednesdays and Fridays also for .social meetings. In connection with tho work of the post year, the council gratefully record thoir indebtedness to Colonel Haultain for his services as honorary secretary, and to tho volunteer workers for their active co-opention in all mission and social work.

The balance-sheet was also read, ae follows :—

Balance-sheet, sist March, issj. liabilities.

T. M. Haui.tain, Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. Dr. Murray Mooke moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and referred to the difficulties which tho Council had had to contend with during the year, especially the fact, now pretty well recognised, that but few seamen frequented the Home. He considered that the Home was in advanco of the requirements. A referenco to the files of the Hkrald of 188G, would show that the Press had repeatedly urged them to erect tho Homo ; and though he did not know to what extent the Council were impressed by the arguments of the Press, they had, he must admit, some force with him. The chairman, who knew something of tho subject, would agree with him that the sailors had not availed themselves of the advantages which the Home afforded them. The income of the establishment had been limited by tho shrinkage in properties, and tho council could not take into account boarders' receipts as an item of account. Dr. Mooro spoke on the subject of missionary work amongst the sailors, which he recognised as the very core and origin of the institution, and which was a most important point. He wns sure the subscribers would give the council credit for having grappled with the difficulties of their position. The speaker regretted tho absence of the President, Bishop Cowie. Mr. .Brakekkig seconded the motion, which was adopted unanimously. The following gentlemen were re-elected officers :—Vice-President, Captain H. F. Anderson. Council : Rev. J. S. Hill, Messrs. B. Withy, F. Battloy, G. P. Pierce, T. Buddie, and Colonel Haultain. Mr. C. B. Stone was also appointed a member of the Council. Messrs. Barber and C. A. Jonas were elected auditors.

The meeting closed with prayer.

ANNUAL MEETINCx.

£ 8. (1. £ s. (1. To Costloy bequest .. .. 12,150 0 0 „ Distressed seamen's fund 9 9 3 „ Creditor for rent .. .. 27 0 0 ,, Sundry CreditorsContractor ., £20 0 0 House accounts ami salary .. 31 IS 8 61 15 8 ,, Balance duo to Bank of New Zealand .. .. 53 4 5 141 0 4 £12,291 9 i ASSETS. £ s. d. £ s. d. By investments .. .. 7,200 0 0 „ Buildings .. .. 4,181 3 4 ,, Furniture and fittings.. 711 18 1 4,803 1 r> „ Books 34 3 4 „ Boat 13 10 0 „ Debtors for rent and Interest 42 15 0 „ Cash in manager's hands 22 11 i! ,, Working account balance 85 8 5 £12,201 9 4