SAILORS’ REST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19136, 2 April 1924, Page 4

SAILORS’ REST.

EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING. The eighth annual meeting of the Otago branch of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society was held at the Sailors' Rost. Lower Rattray street, on Monday evening. Ihe Rev. R. 11. K. Konipton presided over a crowded attendance. The meeting was opened with praise, prayer, and Scripture reading. The hymn, “I’m But a Stranger Here,” was rendered by the South Dunedin Baptist Choir. During the course of the evening sacred duets wore contributed by Mr and Mrs Grocott and the Misses Todd. The executive, in its annual report, referred to the generous help received from individuals, churches, firms, and societies, whose assistance had enabled the society to carry on the work at the two Sailors’ Rests under its control. The services rendered by their two missionaries being entirely voluntary, the working expenses of the society were exceedingly small. During the year tile entrance to the City Rest was improved by voluntary labour and gifts of material to the value of £ls. Mr D. L. K. Walker, honorary missionor at Port Chalmers, reported that the year just past had been a very encouraging one. The sailors of 61 steamers had been visited and entertained, an increase of 20 vessels as compared with the previous year. Quite a number of conversions had taken place, nnd_ many letters of gratitude had been received from sailors and firemen. The usual Christmas tea was held, at which each sailor received a wellstocked ditty bag. At the City Rest, Mr W. Buchan had for another year devoted himself with unflagging zeal to the welfare of the seamen. Sixty overseas vessels visited the port, and some 4500 members of their crews attended the Rest during tho year. Gospel services and social gatherings had been held continuously and the workers had been - greatly gratified by the number of conversions that had occurred. The number attending from the coastal and intercolonial vessels had been larger than before. Forty-five seamen were present at the Christmas tea and service. On Boxing Day 40 seamen were present at a picnic at the Woodhaugh Gardens. Grateful acknowledgment was made of the society’s first bequest, consisting of the fourth part of the estate of Mr John Worthington, which was expected to bring in at least £IOO. This would bo immediately added to the building fund. It was hoped that other citizens would not fail to remember the work of the society in a similar way. They regretted to learn that the funds of the parent society were inadequate for its manifold activities, and the Prince of Wales had recently commended tho urgent appeal which the headquarters had sent out. They still indulged the hope that the day would come when they would have more commodious. premises in which to carry on their work, for it was plain that tho usefulness of the institution waa limited by the inadequacy ■'of ifcS accommodation. ■' The said they were greatly indebted to their secretary, Mr H. 11. Driver, for tho very great amount of work ho did for tho society. The Rev. John Miller, in moving tho adoption of tho report, referred to the very great amount of detail work that was carried on on behalf of tho society. If the citizens of Dunedin realised what they owed to tho sailors they would not bo so backward in providing for their comfort and caring for them. These men of tho mercantile marine brought to ns not only tho necessaries but tho luxuries of life, and they had a claim on our gratitude, They had a claim on our sympathies for all tho 1 privations and discomforts they had to endure. It was only ignorance of the work of the society tfyat prevented the citizens and especially tho merchants, who owed so

much to the seamen, from comint? forward more generously than Ihhy did to help Mr John, Wilkinson seconded the mo.ti.on for ,thp adoption of-tho report. He lokl the story of some who had been converted in that Host who had afterwards done great work in tho foreign mission field and other fields of Christian service. Tho work was verv well worthy of being supported. The motion was carried. Tho Treasurer, Mr C. E. Bcckingsale, presented the statement of income and expenditure, which showed that the year began with a credit of £2 4d ami closed with a credit of £6l 10s 7d. The total receipts for the year were £220 14s sd. Tho Port Chalmers branch began with a credit of £22 3« 2d and ended with a credit of £ls 12s 2d. Roceints amounted to £45 2s 6d. Mr Adam Paterson moved tho adoption of ,the balance sheet, and said that (ho reports of the year’s work had been a joy to them all. In seconding the motion Mr 11. K. Wilkinson congratulated tho society on its improved financial position, which was largely due to the collecting work of Mr Browning. That building was doing a magnificent work. The motion was carried with hearty

thanks to the treasurer. The Rev. W. Saunders moved—" That the warm thanks of the society be tendered to the honorary missioners, Messrs Walker and Buchan, for (heir zealous and self-denying efforts to benefit the seamen during the pant year, and that, we wish thorn great happiness and prosperity in their great work during the coming year." Mr Saunders forcibly dwelt on the groat indebtedness of every one of them to these voluntary missioners and their helper and to the sailors and firemen, to whom the Empire owed so much. Ho referred to the magnificent courage shown by the firemen as a cUum during the War. 'llie conditions at. sea wore certainly better than they were, but there was much yet to be done. Sunday was not much of a day for 1 sailors. Mr Dearsley seconded the motion, and paid a -tribute to the work of Messrs Walker arid Buchan. The motion was carried with , hearty applause Mr 11. C. Campbell moved —“ This annual meeting commends the Sailors’ Society to the generous support of the citizens, arm ex-

presses the hope that, all the financial needs of the society may be mot and a fund gradually built up for the erection of a larger and worthier building at an early date.” Mr Campbell referred to the splendid reception given, the men of the warships, and suggested that it was largely on account of their uniforms that so much attention was paid them. The men of the • merchant, marine were not ao easily distinguished. He expressed the hope that on Adequate building fund would speedily be built up. Mr Walker seconded the motion, and said 'that the farmer just as much a s the. city merchant should assist in this work to help ine men who carried their produce across the sea. The motion was carried. * The officers for the ensuing year were announced as follow; —President, Mr D. L. K. Walker; vice-presidents—Messrs H. K. Wilkinson and 11, O. Gamphell; bon. secretary, Mr 11. H. Driver: bon. treasurer. Mr C. E. Beckingsale- auditor, Mr I). Leslie; committee—Mesdames Inglis and Anderson, Misses Inglis. Johnstone, Jessie Hall, Messrs A. Paterson, J. IT. Todd. A. Mitchell, A. H. Heycock, W. M‘fvwan, H. M. West, (ho Revs. R. i*. K. Kempton and E. M- Beattie. At the close of the proceedings a social supper was enjoyed. THE OVERSEA S CLUB. TO THU KDITOB Sir, — In my statement at the annual meeting of the position of the Overseas Club 1 drew rny figures from (he balance sheet. Mr Tapley’s argument as reported in your columns proved my contention and ivlr Barraclough’s reference to my " density ” only proves (hat the truth is disagreeable to some people. T_ enclose a copy of the balance sheet, showing clearly that from a credit of 2s 7d the club dnltod -o a loss of £93 6s on the year’s transactions. The amount “ Saving's bank, £34 6s Bd,” was never previously shown in (ho statement of assets and liabilities as i(. was placed in a separate savings bank account hi 1921 as the ntvdous of a building fund. As the bad debt “ rents ” cannot materialise, how does Mr Tapley call the loss a ‘‘few’’ pounds?—! am, eta, T. Ds SrONO. Sib. — From your report of the annual meeting of the Overseas Club it. might appear that I referred to Mr De Sporrg as One of the trio who had blocked (he club’s progress. That is not so. Mr Do Spong has been an earnest worker on the executive for the past three years, and in justice to that gentleman I feel that mv meaning should be- made quite clear as to the position that Mr De Spong held as an executive officer during ray term.—l am, eic., A. E- UsHEEWOOD. Dunedin, April 1. VARICOSE LEGS OR VARES ? When hospitals and operations have failed Yarex has permanently cured bad legs. It proves daily that this is not an extravagant claim. Is it to bo further suffering or a complete cure with Varex? Write for free pamphlet Ernest Healey, chemist, Foxton, —Advt.