SAILORS’ SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18822, 27 March 1923, Page 4

SAILORS’ SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the British am! •Foreign Sailors’ Society was held in the Sailors’ Rest, Rattray street, last evening, and was presided over by Mr John Wilkinson. The annual report set out that in 1915 the Women’s Christian Temperance Union had handed over the Rost to the newlyformed branch of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society The crews of 41 steamers had been entertained at Port Chalmers. Mr William Buchan had continued his work as hon. missioner with unfailing fidelity, and had visited every oversea vessel arriving in the harbour. During the year bl vessels from the high seas had visited hero, and this had made great dcmalnds upon the missioner. In the last quarter of 1922 the Rest had been particularly busy. Sixty-two meetings had been held and attended by about 1500 men. Altogether 161 meetings had been hold during the year, the attendances varying from 12 to 60. The financial needs had been met. The Harbour Board repeated its annual grant, the Shaw, Savill Company had donated eight guineas, from concerts and services on vessels, and collections had been made at various chili-civ's. The sum of £5 had been received from the Community Singing Committee, and Miss Johnstone bad collected £27 9s 9d at Port Chalmers. Miss Inglis had gathered £44 5s 6d from merchants and shipping companies. 'lhe total expenditure had been £l3o, which indicated economy. Any donations would bo gratefully received. It was plain that the society met a great need, and the Rests were founded to protect and help sailors. Sailors had found in the Rests a home away from home, and Christian counsel. The time might soon come when the society would need to appeal to the public for larger and better buildings in which to carry on the great work for which tlie society had been founded. The Rev. Graham 11. Balfour moved the adoption of the report, and congratulated the society upon the excellent work done. It was a matter for gratification that so many had volunteered for this groat work. Flo hoped that there would soon be better buildings, and that the work would bo carried on on a larger scale. Ho was deeply interested in the work, which was one of very groat importance. These men deserved our greatest sympathy. Speaking of the sea. Mr Balfour said it was only a bridge, and the sooner one got to the other side the better. It was a_ restless life, for these poor fellows, though it had its attra--Rons. There must be a time when they longed for rest, and whore they were nieeting°wn,s a Rest. A sailor’s life was a homeless life, and one without religious ordinances. , , , The Rev. G. P. Hunt seconded the motion for the adoption of the report, which was agreed to. Mr C. E. Beckingsalo read the statement of income and expenditure, and mentioned (hat they had £BOO whenever they wished to build. When they were in a position to build they had something to commence with, and they could go to the public and say: “Wo have something in hand, and we look to you to find the balance. The statement was adopted on the motion of Mr 11. K. Wilkinson. The following oince-bcarers were ap-pointed-PrcsulfMii. tho jM. Fon; vicejpvosidents, tho Rev. R. H. Knowles Keinpton and Mr D. L. K. Walker; hon. secretary. Mr 11. H. Driver; hon treasurer, Mr C. li. Bcekingsale; hon. auditor, Mr Hugh Mitchell- t committee— Mrs Inglis, Mbs Ingles, Miss Johnstone. Miss Janie Hall, the Revs. 1. M. Beattie and Guv Thornton, Messrs D. Campnell, H G. Campbell, A. H. lleycock. A. Mitchell. Adam Paterson, .1. W. Todd, 11. K. Wilkinson, and John Wilkinson; hon. nnssionor for iho city, Mr iiliam Buchan: and for Port Chalmers, Mr D. L. K. Walker. Mr Robert Powell moved that the local •branch of the British and Foreign Sailors •Society was worthy of the confidence and financial support of the public, anti or tho churches, on whose behalf it oaniea on its work among the seamen who frequented our ports. —The motion was carried, anc. Mr Powell then gave a brief account ot his experiences in China. It was resolved to tender sincere thanks to the lion, missioner*. Mr William Buchan and Mr D. L. K. Walker, for their devoted services to the seamen during tho past year, and wish for them great joy mid success in their labours throughout the coming year. A number of complimentary votes ot thanks were passed, and light rcfreshiiieiiLS were then partaken of. . During the evening the Aork 1 lace (hoir contributed a number of items, Alias Gmrdner presiding at the harmonium, and M’ss Inglis at tho piano.