SAILORS' HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8284, 17 June 1890, Page 6

SAILORS' HOME.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of subscribers to the Sailors' Home was held yesterday afternoon- Present: The Righb Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland (in the chair), Colonel Haultain, Messrs. G. P. Pierce, Brakenrig, and J. H. Upton (Mayor of Auckland). After the minutes had been read by Colonel Haultain, he, at the request of tho President, read the list of subscribing members, as follows :—Captain H. F. Anderson, Messrs. C. B. Stone, Battley, E. Withy, W. Brakenrig, ,C. C. McMillan, G. P. Pierce, Bishop Cowie, Colonel Haultain, and Captain Tilly. The annual report was read by Colonel Haultain. It stated that tlie work of the Association in its various branches had been successfully carried out. The advantages of the institution had become known to seafaring men, who now frequented it in considerable numbers. The management of Mr. Little, who had been ably assisted by his wife, had been very popular. The report then proceeded to deal with details of the attendance, number of meals, beds, etc. Tho house department had met its expenses within £74, against which, however, certain charges by boarders were still due. The general expenses for the ensuing year were estimated at £100, including £10 for insurance and £25 for rent of the allotment on which the new mission hall stood. The income from the endowment and subscriptions of members would yield £400. The report then referred to the increased sleeping accommodation, and the necessity which arose for the erection of the new mission hall, which was in course of construction on a site leased from the Harbour Board. The cost would be about £1000, including furniture. The report then referred to the services and entertainments held in connection with the Home, and recorded the thanks of the Council to those who had given their services. A memorial brass plate, with the following inscription, had been obtained from England, and had been placed in a conspicuous place in the building : —" This Home was built with money bequeathed by Edward Costley, who denied himself all the luxuries and most of the comforts of life, to help those who were in need of help in Auckland. He died April IS, 1883. ' The greatest of these is charity.' 1 Corinthians xiii., 13."

The President said he had much pleasure iu moving the adoption of the report. It was very satisfactory, and those engaged in the work must be encouraged by it. The utmost economy had been exercised, but he had no idea they would be able to pay all household expenses out of board and lodging. He thought the Council did wisely in erecting the new hall, as the accommodation was much required, for if a sailor was kept without his pipe he would not feel at home.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Pierce, and unanimously agreed to. Colonel Haultain thou read the balancesheet. The working account for the year showed :—Balance from last year, £"314 Is '2d. Expenditure : Rent, £9 10? 8d ; general expenses, £83 10s lOd; depreciation, £70 10s : balance of house account (payments £98617s lOd, receipts £9130s Sd), £7317s 2d: total, £490 9s lOd. By intorest on investments, £468 ; subscriptions, £8 ; balance, £14 9s 10d: total, £490 9s lOd. Liabilities : To Costley bequest, £12,150; creditors on house account, £7 10s 9d ; Bank of New Zealand overdraft, £"211 17s 7d ; distressed seamen's fund, £3 15s 3d. Assets : By investments, £7000; buildings, as per last account, £4181 3s 4d ; expended since for furnishing, and new mission hall, £290 5s : furniture and fittings, £697 33 ; cooks, £42 16s 3d ; boat, £7 10s ; sundry debtors, £139 15s sd; balance of working account, £14 9s lOd : total, £12,372 3s 7d. The balance-sheet was audited by Messrs, J. Barber and Charles Jonas, and found correct.

On the motion of the President, the balance-sheet was adopted. The President said that Colonel Haultain had referred to the good work done by the manager, but they were all indebted to Colonal Haultain for the good work be had done, and he thought they should accord him a vote of thanks as a mark of their appreciation. Mr. Upton said he would have great pleasure in moving a resolution such as that suggested by his lordship. He, however, knew very little of the institution, but he felt satisfied that such a Home was required. For his own part he regretted that he had not been able to come to the meetings, but they happened to bo held on Friday afternoons, when the Board of Education met, and he felt that his first duty was to the latter. This was, ho believed, the first meeting held out of the regular course, and that was the reason why it was his first attendance, since by virtue of his office as Mayor ho became a member. His sympathy was entirely with the movement, for not only may sailors find a home here, but they had ready advice and counsel, and that was its most valuable feature, and an inestimable advantage to them. Mr. Brakenrig seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Pierce, seconded by Mr. Upton*, Captain Anderson was reelected vice-president. Mr. C. C. McMillan was elected to rill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Rev. J. S. Hill from the Council. Messrs. Barber and Jonas were re-elected auditors, and Dr. Lewis was re-elected hon. surgeon, the secretary being also instructed to forward to him the thanks of the meeting for his past services. Mr. Pierce suggested that some ceremony should be arranged for the opening of "the new hall. Colonel Haultain said that there would be time to arrange for that at the next meeting. It was agreed that 200 copies of the report and balance-sheet should be printed for circulation.