SAILORS’ SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 42

SAILORS’ SOCIETY.

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL AND SERVICE. A very hearty meeting was held in (he Sailors’ Rest on Christmas night for the benefit of the crews of the vessels in port. About 60 seamen sat down to a tea provided by the ladies connected with the Rest After they had enjoyed the meal a season was spent in hymn-singing and speaking. Mrs Inglis (familiarly known as the mother of the Rest) and Mr H. H. Driver (hon. secretary of the local branch of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society) extended to the men a warm welcome to the Rest, and assured them of the pleasure all the workers felt in entertaining the men and making them feel at home when they were as far from their homes as they could possibly get. Earnest evangelistic addresses were delivered by the Rev. Guy Thornton and the Rev. R. H. Knowles Kempton, Mr A. H. Heycock, and Mr D. L. K. Walker, and were listened to with close attention hy the men. Mr W. Buchan, the honorary missionary, conducted the meeting, and interspersed the items with appropriate remarks, which set the seamen at their ease. Solos were rendered by Mr Coppin and Miss Dorothy Rowe (of Wanganui). Before the meeting dosed a Christmas gift was presented to each seaman in the form of a “ditty hag” containing a New Testament and various useful articles, which the men gratefully accepted, and will no doubt find helpful when they are afloat once more. If to-day is fine enough it is proposed to hold a picnic for the seamen at the Reservoir. The executive of the society is anxious to give the men pleasant memories of their hristmas in our city, and is grateful to all who have helped financially in providing for their comfort and entertainment