THE REV. R. B. S. HAMMOND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 60, 25 October 1911, Page 5

THE REV. R. B. S. HAMMOND.

The Rev. R. B. S. Hammond, who is to speak in the Towri Hull, Stratford, to-morrow afternoon, started work in the backblocks of Gippsland. From there lie went to Sydney, spending two years at Balmain, then going straight into the heart of Sydney. It is there that ho works now. At present lie ■ is organising missioner for the Mission Zone Fund, an oragnisation that carries on the slum work of twelve parishes, and tries to counteract the evil influence of nearly 400 public-houses. The parish of St. Phillips, where he was curate for several years, runs down to the water’s edge, and much of Mr Hammond’s work has been among the wharf labourers of that district. Every week he used to hold mid-day meetings down at the foot of Margaret Street, by the New Zealand Union Co’s sheds, and if the conditions were not all that could lie desired, lie was not easily discouraged. On one occasion a shower of rain came on, and when the wharf men retreated to their shed Mr Hammond followed them into shelter to continue his address. The manager burned him out, so he stood outside in the rain and ivent on with his address until the man pulled down the iron door. “Stand by the keyhole,” Mr Hammond shouted, “and you’ll still bo able to hear me,” but finding that the obstructionist was standing in front of the keyhole, he went off and,telephoned to headquarters, when ho was at once told ho might speak in the shed as long as the men were not at work. Armed with this permission ,back the preacher went to the shed, where he was received with cheers, and he delivered an address on the text, “Go to Headquarters.” Another time he stood watching a crowd of a thousand wharf labourers who had gathered to discuss a new Bill that affected them. Eight delegates were to bo elected to express their views, one from each wharf, and as Mr Hammond watched the crowd ho longed for a chance to address such a magnificent audience. When it was over and the crowd were about to disperse, some man caught sight of him, and called out. “Hallo, Mr Hammond, what wharf do j,-ou represent?” Receiving permission to mount the platform, Mr Hammond instantly replied : “I represent the Wharf on the Other Side, to which all of you' are hound. I am afraid that many of you will find that the Health Officer will not pass your papers. To-morrow at this time' I will give an address hero on “The Other Side, and how you may pass Inspection.” Mr Hammond will give his only address in Taranaki at the Town Hall to-morrow (Thursday) afternoon, at 2.30 p.m.