Bluff Sailors’ Rest

Southland Times, Issue 14468, 6 October 1899, Page 2

Bluff Sailors’ Rest

(Contributed.) By the demise of Mr Thomas Denniston this institution lost a faithful and devoted friend, one whose energies were ever directed towards the amelioration of the lot of “ those who go down to the sea in ships.” Both by his personal efforts and by the enlistment of the practical sympathies of his friends, he continually maintained interest iu the Rest, and the funds necessary for its support were readily forthcoming. His mantle has not fallen upon any one, and although the Rest has continued to exist ami discharge, to some extent, its func ions, its usefulness has been materially hampered for want of sufficient funds. The effort to bring into the lives of sailors, the chief part of whose existences are passed in the presence of many dangers, and whose surroundings are never of the most comfortable—a few gleams of the sunshine shed by civilisation—is surely a laudable object, and, despite the tightness of the purse strings, the caretaker of the Rest and his worthy helpmeet are assiduous in providing entertainment for Jack and his mates. It was the writer’s privilege to be present the other evening when Jack entertained his hosts, and Mr Woods, the genial steward of the G.s.s. Hiuemoa, and his equally genial co-idjutor, Mr Nelson, second engineer, gave an evening’s audience with an up-to-date graphophone. The rooms were crowded with sailors from the ships in port, and the apparatus had to be relegated to the caretaker’s private apartment. A funnel, which might have been taken for that of the Hiuemoa herself, projected inti the room, and through this a large number of selections were given,to the evident delight of thecompauy,whichin»istedonfive repetitions of a humorous ditty entitled “The Parrot Said,” in which a wily bird decoys a sail r man into amorous indiscretions and when he is forcibly handled by an irascible parent, makes derisive remarks. Socials of this kind, accompanied by substantial refreshments, are all too seldom given to the crews in port, and the compliment is occasionally returned by the crews insisting on entertaining their hosts, and so the cares aud dangers of a sea-life are lightened and reciprocal good feeling is engendered. Captains of ships appreciate the kindness shown to their sailors, and cccisionally insist on expressing it by a donation. There is, however, one' serious drawback ti the efficient work of the Suitors’ Rest. The divine power of music is perforce absent, and although there are oftentimes willing execuiants, nautical and otherwise, only on very special occasions, when an instrument is imported at great trouble from a friend, are sweat strains available. It is b lieved that an appeal ta the generous sympathisers with the work would readily result in sufficient funds to provide the Rest wi.h a piano. Already a nucleus has been provided by the sailors themselves and some local donors, and there may bo many friends in Southland upon whom Fortune has been smiling, aud who might make this objset tho tangible expression of a measure of their prosperity benevolently devoted. There are also many local societies with excellent facilities for raising funds, by . entertainments and otherwise, who might make good use of their talents iu this effort to cater for the amusement of the sailer men while in port. A Gore society, through Mr J. A. Forbes, has uenerously led the way by sending the substantial proceeds of a concert to swell the fund.

By the courtesy of the proprietor contributions for the “ Piano Fund” may be left at the Southland Times office. They may also be sent to Mr G. R. George, Harbour Offices, or to Mr Hutton, caretaker, Sailors’ R-st, Bluff, when they will be duly aeknowl dged. The friends of the Rest trust it may not be long before they have the pleasure of acknowledging receipt of the requisite amount from sympathisers throughout the distiict of which the Bluff is the port.