SAILORS' HOMES AND THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14508, 24 October 1910, Page 9

SAILORS' HOMES AND THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN.

Refeering to the paragraph in our issue of Saturday last regarding certain: remarks alleged to have been made by Mr. Thomas f.resham at a recent meeting of the council of the Sailors' Home, Mr. C. C. Kettle has handed us the following copy of a letter which he has written to Mr. T. G-resham, president of tho Sailors' Home Council: —

" Auckland. October 22, 1910. Thomas fJresham, Esq.. President Sailors' Home. Dear sir,—My attention has 'been drawn to a paragraph in to-day's Herald, in which you are reported to have stated at a recent meeting of the council of the Sailors' Home that in' the course of a conversation with tre (a member of the local committee of the Missions to Seamen, a branch of the London Association, and better known as ' The Flying Angel'), I was strongly of the opinion that I could upset the constitution of the Sailors' Heme, and that I claimed that that home 'belonged exclusively to tlx) Church of England.' If you have not been fti'sreported you have evidently forgotten, or misunderstood, tho true ourport of what I ea;d during the conversation referred to by you, and which took place many months ".so. I stated that it, was questionable '.vfiether the late Bishop Cowie arid Messrs. Heather and Anderson, the trustees (riorafnated by the executors. of Mr. Cost ley's will) of the Co.:tley bequest of £12,150 to the Sailors' Homo and Res::, inaugurated by , Bishop Cowie, had power to transfer the .rust property and the administration of tho trust to a company registered under the Companies Act, 1862, and that it might be desirable (in the interests of tho'bjnoficiariee under the trust), by legislation, or in some other way, to remould or remodel the trust. And nlaco it and .similar trusts on a thoroughly sound and moro satisfactory footing. i certainly did not state that the home belonged ' exclusively to the Cliurcl of England.' I have always recognised that it was Bishop Cowie's wish, and probably the late -dr. Co.-tley's desire also, that the mora! and spiritual welfare, as well as the social comfort, of seafaring men should be promoted .without, regard to their nationality or religious belief, and that religious train--3 tig should be allowed as the.several inmates of the home respectively desire. It was on 'his understanding that I and others consented to join the local (Auckland) committee of the •Missions to Seamen (Flying Angel), which has (thanks to Mr. Cowie and 'he numerous friends of the mission, who have rendered him valuable and practical "it.) Gone such splendid work amongst sailors visiting this port. 1 regret that you look I'Pon the Missions to Seamen (Flying Angel) ?•» a rival society, or mission. lam satisfied 3t is the earnest desire of every member and Supnorter of the Mi* to Seamen (Flying gel) to wprk harmoniously with kindred association.*, and all those who desire to be'nend and help in promoting the welfare and social comfort, of seafaring men residing ju or visiting the port of Auckland, regardless of nationality or creed. T am, dear sir, "°" p faithfully. Chas. C. Kettle." P.B.—Kindly lav this communication beore the council of the Sailors' Home at next meeting—C.C.K."