SEAMEN’S INSTITUTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16635, 18 January 1922, Page 10

SEAMEN’S INSTITUTE.

APPOINTMENT OF SUPERINTENDENT. The Board of Directors of the Lyttelton aeamena institute met last evening. the following members being present:—Mrs Clarice, the Revs 6. lianey and W. T. Todd, and Messrs F. \Y. Anderson (honorary treasurer), M. J. Miller, J. F. Lowers, W. T. Lester, J. T. Norton, S. R. Webb, A. W. Jamieson, C. T. Harrison, R. Malcolm and R. S. Badger (honorary secretary) in the absence, of the chairman iMr W. Machin), Mr Jamieson was voted to tho chair. A special vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Robert M. Adair, of Fendalton, for a donation of a fine painting of , tho barque “ Lurline,” which was | owned by Messrs Adair Bros, and C. W- ; Turner, of Lyttelton, between the years I 1377-1897. ' It was resolved to send a letter of thanks to the Ashburton Ladies' Guild for a donation of £SO towards the general expenses of the institute, also bags and a large Christmas cake for the Beamon. It was also decided to write to tho Akaroa branch of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society thanking it for a donation of £l2. Tiie treasurer reported that the receipts since the last meeting had amounted to £l2l 4s 6d and the expenditure to £94 14s 4-d. The balance in the bank amounted to £54 14s Bd. Accounts totalling £l7 11s 8d were passed for payment. The acting superintendent (Mr W. Woodside) reported that during the month of December the ~ attendances were 888 men and 96 officers, a daily average of 28 men and 3 officers.,. Eight services had been held, the average attendance being 21. Sixty-three ships had been visited, four visits had been made to hospitals, two to convalescent homes, two to sanatorium* and seven to sick seamen. Sixty packages of Gospel literature had been distributed and 19 packages of English literature. One hundred and forty-two letters had been received and posted, 44 free meals, 34 free beds provided, and 6 concerts were held, tho average attendance being 42. During the month two Christmas teas were given, one on Christmas Day and the other on December 26. On December 26 the afternoon was spent in entertaining the crews of the Ruahine and Vercntia at Officers Point, where light refreshments wen partaken of. On Christmas Day, 34 sat down to tea and on December 26, 55 eat down to tea. All seemed to enjoy and appreciate the teas, also a concert which was given in the evening of December 26 by local friends. At tliis entertainment, 70 ditty bags were presented to the seamen. These seemed to be much appreciated and tho men expressed their gratitude to the ladies who made the bags. The bags were given out by tho president of the Cfhristchurch Ladies’ Guild (Mrs Blunt) and tlie vicepresident of the Lyttelton Ladies' Guild(Mrs Hatchweil). On December 27, a picnic was held at Diamond Harbour, at which 75 were present. A most enjoyable time was spent and twenty-five prizes were distributed. On returning to the institute in the evening, a good many more ditty bags were Given away. Taking everything into consideration, a very happy Christmas and New Year were spent amengst the men and all seemed to appreciate very much what was done for them.

The matter of appointing a superintendent for the institute was then considered. At the previous meeting the selection of candidates had been reduced to two in number—the Rev It. Stewart of Dunedin, and Mr Levien of Lower Hutt. The chairman read a letter from Mr Machin, who expressed the opinion that the appointment of Mr Stewart would •be in the best interests of the institute. Commenting on Mr Machin's letter, the chairman said that if Mr Stewart received the appointment, he had agreed to drop the title of 11 reverend,” which he held as a minister of the Baptist Church, and be known as missioner for the institute, giving up all connection with any denomination. The institute was conducted on Christian principles and was supported by all churches, and it was important that the superintendent should not be connected with any particular denomination. Mr Machin had submitted Mr Stewart to a severe cross-examination lasting two hours, and many points had been cleared up. The whole position was dealt with fully and both Mr Machin and he (Mr Jamieson) had come to the conclusion that Mr Stewart had no more to do with certain unfortunate happenings at Lyttelton than the speaker or anyone else in the room. A mistake had occurred lending to trouble which the institute had had great difficulty in clearing up. He personally wished to exonerate Mr Stewart from any underhand methods in connection with correspondence with the secretary. Mr Machin did not mince matters with Mr Stewart; he submitted him to a very stiff cross-examination and in the end came to the conclusion that Mr Stewart had acted honourably and that whatever injustice was done to him was through no fault of his own, but to a series of circumstances over which he had no control. The Rev S. Bailey said that he believed it would be in tlie interests of tho institute if the meeting went into committee. There were several matters he wished to discuss which it might not be advisable to refer to in open ingThe chairman said if they went into committee the whole matter could be thrashed out. Mr Miller also supported the proposal to go into committee, and a motion to that effect was carried without dissent. On resuming, it was reported that final selection had been left in the hands of the chairman (Mr Machin) and Mr A. W. Jamieson.