THE LIFEBOAT SCHEME

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5559, 10 April 1905, Page 7

THE LIFEBOAT SCHEME

.ANO'IHER. MEETING IX THE TOWN HALL. MR MOORE AND “ Northumbrian.” Air James Mooro, of the Missions lo ■Seamen, is working outhusias-icsilly on behalf of his lifeboat scheme, anti organised another public meeting, held on Saturday night in the 'town Hall, ■ n support of tho proposal. The weather being unfavourable, the audience was /..■null, and looked still smaller in the vast hull. Tho Mayor of Wellington, who preluded, pointed out that New Zealand depended to such an extent upon tho maritime profession that we owed a great deal to those who “went down to the soa in ships’' and carried on onr trade. Wo ought to do what wo could, therefore, whether by rocket apparatus •or lifeboat, to prevent loss of life in this culling. At tho first mooting a Very large auclienco had assembled within that hall, hut there had then teen a shipwreck a- few days previously. Ho was afraid that if Britishers had a weakness, it was that they wore prono to forgot things after the lapse of nine or ten days. We did not care to think of the disagreeable things in life. Surely, tho least wo could do was to prevent, as far as wo could, loss of life in tho ease of shipwreck. (Applause.) 'file Minister of Marino (tho Hon W. Hall-,Tones) said (hoy all appreciated tho groat and good work undertaken by Air James Mooro since he had arrived in Wellington. (Applause.) On reading i hat Mr Macro had taken up tho question of procuring a lifeboat for this port, ho had wondered why no ono had ever thought of such a thing until then. .From what ho knew of Mr Moore, ho believed they would have the lifeboat in Wellington. (Applause.) Tho people had only to make up their minds that tho lifeboat had to bo provided, and they would have it. Ho believed — though some present might differ from him—that both the rocket apparatus and tho lifeboat were necessary, in tho varying circa instances experienced at this port. Lyttelton had a lifeboat, nnd Sumner another: and in view of tho growing trade of Wellington something had to bo done. Timaru had had both a rocket apparatus and a lifeboat as long as ho could remember : he had seen thorn both in operation If a lifeboat in the course of ton years saved only ono ship’s crow, they would have dono u good work in obtaining it for this port. (Applause.) Tho fifty thousand people who lived in AVellington and its neighbourhood could easily find tho required sum —sixpence per head would bo sufficient. If tho services of tho ladies wore enlisted in the work, tho lifeboat would bo in AVellington before that day twelve months. He would like to see tho boat provided by voluntary wubserintion. If anything were necessary from him in his official capacity ho would be glad to help, bub he would sooner see each one doing a little. If by a little effort they could minimise tile dangers of the sea, they ought in the name of humanity to make that effort. “ If it is in my power to assist you at any time, call upon me,” concluded the Minister, amidst applause. Mr Moore said tho .smallness of tho attendance did not affect him in the slightest, because a few enthusiastic wpirits could do far more than the masses of the peopfo. Tie outcome of tte gathering could, if those present willed, bo as great as it there was as crowded an audience within the hail as at tho first lifeboat meeting. Ho reminded them that while this movement had mob with a great deal of criticism, no great thing had ever been killed by criticism; it might nerhaps be hindered for a short time, but if those behind it were determined in their work, it was impossible to kill it. It would he more creditable to tho city to spend money in the establishment of a lifeboat than in the erection of a monument later on. There had boon fair, manly criticism of the scheme; but it w:ia for him to still answer tho stillinvisible “ Northumbrian,” who remained behind the palings, and would not come out and let thorn see what ho was made of. One paper had told him ho was too severe upon "Northumbrian.” Ho was always severe upon the anonymous creature who would not let peonle know who he was. (Applause.) He had given “Northumbrian” an opportunity to send him his name, hut ho had refused that opportunity. " Northumbrian ” oh ire ted that n lifeboat could not put out in a southerly gale; hut things thought to be impossible often became possible. Wellington ought not to be behind other ports ‘of the colony. We were up to date in Wellington in every other respect, and should wo stop now, and say we should not have .a lifeboat because a handful of critics objected to tho proposal? “A T ou can't do anything in a southerly,” ho had boon told, and h© had replied, "No, you can’t, unless you try.” (Applause.) A rocket apparatus at Pencarrow would enable men to save life, instead of their being horrified as tho signalmen were on January 2nd. "Northumbrian” declared it was premature, but tho decision of the Harbour Board to obtain a rocket apparatus showed that this proposal was not premature. But it was the lifeboat wo wanted' after all. Tho Minister of Marine had touched tho right nail on the bend ; tho lifeboat was required, as a rocket apparatus would not bo effective at a greater distance than 900 yards, “Who knows that someone may not give us a memorial lifeboat, or a motor for a lifeboat?” remarked Mr Mooro. Ho stated that ho had received a letter offering for £3OO a lifeboat which had cost £IOOO a few years ago, and was iu excellent condition except for on© slight defect, which could be remedied. Ho asked the Minister of Marino to allow ono of his officers to examine this lifeboat. Mr E. W. Burgess moved, “That this meeting, having heard tho ideas expressed by the several speakers, is of the opinion that the time is ripe for the establishment of a lifeboat for tho purpose of saving life in AVellington harbour, the heads or its near vicinity, and therefore, pledges itself to do all that is possible to obtain funds for this purpose.” He hoped that, in spite of the sneers of “Northumbrian” and others, this worthy project would be carried to a successful issue. The Rev J. Crowes- seconded tho motion, saying that he had interested himself some time ago in a lifeboat proposal, and he wished Mr Mooro every success. The motion was unanimously agreed to, and a vote of thanks to the speakers, performers, etc-, closed the meeting. • Interesting musical and other items wexo given .during' the evening. Miss

May Glondining sang with distinct enunciation “When the Flowing lido Comes In,” and as an encore-piece, “Annie Laurie.” Herr Max Hoppe played artistically two violin solos bracketed, Papini’s “Dolce far Nientc” and Godard's “Berceuse do Jocelyn.” Mr Cyril Tow.sey was a sympathetic accompanist. Some ladies of the Wellington Bhy.sicat Training School gave an interesting exhibition of sword and club drill, under the direction of MV Dovey. Tho AVcilinglon Garrison Band, conducted hy Lieutenant Herd, played a number of pieces attractively.