MISSIONS TO SEAMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 11

MISSIONS TO SEAMEN

YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED GROWING USE OF SERVICES Reporting on the work of The Flying Angel Mission to Seamen in Auckland during the past year, the chaplain, the Rev. H. K. Vickery, states that over 2000 more men and lads made use of the mission in 1935 than during the previous year. Ships have been well visited, and the chaplain has had many opportunities to get into close touch with both officers and crew. The Christmas festivities, which lasted 10 days, brought a happy year's work to a close. Over 700 men and boys from merchant ships in port were entertained by the mission at the various functions at that time.

In the report of the committee of the mission it is stated that the completion of the chapel in the centre of the building ensures that the spiritual aspect of the work is not allowed to bo pushed into the background nor to ho considered of little account. "A perusal of the subscription lists, unfortunately," continues tlio report, "seems to point to the fact that the mission is in danger of losing to a certain extent its Anglican complexion, and that it is little known and very iittle supported by the churches." The committee has been much engrossed with the question of providing a chaplain's residence, but the weak state of its finances has prevented it from incurring the heavy expenditure and liability involved. During the year a signal honour was done to the chaplain, and incidentally to the mission as a whole, by the conferment updn him by the French Government of the appointment of Knight of the Legion of Honour.

The socials and entertainments of the year were attended by 10.907 seamen, 2635 services were conducted ashore and afloat. 239 visits were paid to seamen in hospital and 20 to men in gaol. Visits to ships numbered 449, and 11 seamen's funerals were conducted. >