THE SAILORS’ REST.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 11 June 1924, Page 9

THE SAILORS’ REST.

About forty years ago the following -.-Mrs W. allies, F Smith, Mrs Bardsley, Mis A Kine, Mrs Rvlands Brown, the present oecui ant being Mrs Nome, of Beyeuey Road. It was during the president., of Mrs Gillies that the Union decided to engage in work for the welfare of the seamen visiting the port. The Rev W. Gillies and Mr Moss Jonas (then Mayor of Timaru), approached the Harbour Board and were, successful in securing their old offices as a Rest. The building was put into order for its new occupation, and many tunes since it lias been overhauled and renovated. The first caretaker was r.lv Thompson, later on Mr Stead, and now Ml- Woodward. The W.C.'l’.U. since its inception lias possessed a band of splendid workers, some of the earlier enthusiasts being Mrs Brookcr, Mrs Peake, Mrs Bruce, Mrs Brown, Mrs Nome, Miss Avison (who was secretary lor over tliiiU years) and many others. Mrs Nome, the present president, has associate,! with her Mrs M. Minifie (lion, secretary), and -Miss Agnes Pearson (lion, treasurer). During recent years it became evident that satisfactory social work could not be carried on much longer in Iho old Rest, and the Un'ou therefore instituted .street day collections and other means of laying a fin uncial foundation for the procuring ot a new Rest. About 300 invitations, calling a ■ meeting, were sent out m South Canterbury. Mr Holiest on, M.P., was chairman, and Mrs Norric. for the Union, outlined the scheme foi the inauguration of a building fund. The following comprised the new build ing committee :—Mr Andrews V ilson (chairman). Mon. .Tames Craigie. M.L.C.. Mr F. J. Rolleston, M.P.. Mi B. E. H. Tripp, 0.8. E., Mrs Nome. Mrs 'Minifie (secretary), Mrs Black. Miss A. Pearson (treasurer), Miss W. Fvfe. Mr R. J. McKeown. Mr Litrie. Mr J. R. Bruce, Mr H. H. Brown and Mr Steven. Messrs Writer Panton and Soil ''architects), generously offered their seivices to the '•'"•linitteo, which were gladly accepted. The committee after careful consideration, inaugurated a new building and 'eouinnient fund, and aimed at collecting £3OOO. The greater part of this lias now been subscribed, quite a number of donations of LB)!). £SO. £25, .120. CIO and £5 being included in the list.

The Timaru Harbour Board gencr oust.v —in addition to a ea-h donation of £lO0 —gave a site for the building, which the committee decided to erect. 'The Timaru Borough Council also gave a donation of Cloo. 'The building, which is now in cour-e of erection, is situated a little to ilm east of the Harbour Board offices, and overlooks the main wharf. It consist.-; of two storeys, on the ground floor being the seamen’s quarters, consistm? of a largo social .room, with two fireplaces, a bedroom, a. bathroom ami conveniences. The caretaker’s kitchen and conveniences will be on the ground floor, and i.i., living rooms will no upstairs facing Ihe sunshine. Tt is intoresiing io nnie that all work done at the Sailors’ Rost —with the exception of tlm; of (ho caretaker, who receive' a small wage, is absohitolv honorarv.

Thai the Rest is needed and appreciated is vouched for by I lie fact that d is visited hv officers and sailors from all parts of ihe world, and those in charge can produce numerous letters ol appiecialion from ihe men who have iouiul as they sav: “a home away i nun home. The rolled ion of the fund was coniincuced on July 24, 19;?;!, so that the Committee is losinn- no time in pushing on ihe work Ti Is expected that the new Rest will be cfhcially opened sometime in