SAILORS AT HOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 688, 13 June 1929, Page 7

SAILORS AT HOME

AUCKLAND INSTITUTION’S WORK PAST YEAR REVIEWED “Sailors in port and on shore leave find a haven of rest in the Auckland Sailors’ Home. The men are fully boarded and lodged at the institution at 27s 9d a week, and I think we may justly claim that the standard of accommodation and cuisine provided compares more than favourably with any similar organisation in the Dominion. The attendances at the home last year increased by 400, and when the figures advance still further the charges can be reduced commensurately.” Thus Mr. Geo. W. Sanders, president of the council, outlining the activities of the institution during the past year at the annual meeting last evening. Mr. Sanders commented with satisfaction on the increase of 50 per cent, in the membership in the past 12 months. The board of trustees, being unable to carry on the religious side of the institution’s work, had delegated it to the British Sailors’ Society and the united churches. Funds contributed by the churches for religious purposes were pooled, as the sums donated by any one denomination were insufficient to apply in any one direction. The social side of the religious work consequently was not being carried out, while all the facilities desired were not provided in the mission hall. He suggested also that the institution’s social amenities should be improved by the organisation of indoor games on a more extensive scale. The library, too, required augmenting by more books of the lighter type. He also referred appreciatively to the gift of a gramophone to the home by the Rotary Club after members had dined at the institution.

The proposal for the Mission to Seamen to carry on its activities at the Auckland Sailors’ Home was also mentioned by Mr. Sanders, who expressed the hope that the negotiations would reach a successful issue shortly. Critical comment was made by the Rev. E. C. Budd on the disgraceful appearance of the mission hall adjoining the home. He reminded the board of trustees that religious instruction was a fundamental part of the home s work, and would have to be performed if the arrangements with the Mission to Seamen failed.

In proposing a vote of thanks to the bon. surgeon. Dr. D. N. W. Murray, the Rev. Budd appreciated the valuable service rendered by the whole of the medical profession in Auckland to sailors. The work was done willingly and unostentatiously. Eulogistic reference was also made to the work or the president, Mr. Sanders, to whom credit for the marked improvements at the home was given. A vote of thanks was also accorded to Mr. and Mrs. H. Bailey, manager and manageress. Officers were elected as under: President, Mr. G. W. Sanders: vicepresident, Mr. W. Tailby council. Captain C. Little, Rev. E. C. Budd. Mr. J. Trevithick, Mr. G. R. Magee, Mr. E. H. Potter, Mr. R. T. Michaels and Mr. O- B. Patterson, with the Mayor, Mr. 0. Baildon, and the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. M. H. Wynyard, as ex officio members.