AMONG THE DEPARTMENTS

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 6, 1 July 1946, Page 5

AMONG THE DEPARTMENTS

•SAILORS’ REST’’ AT TIMARU

Marking Of Twenty-first Anniversary Alterations Have Been Made Recently

To mark the 21st anniversary of the erection of the Sailors’ Rest in Timaru and to allow friends and benefactors opportunity to inspect recent alterations, a social function was held there recently, Miss M. W. Fyfe presiding. The Mayor, Mr. A. K. S. Hanan, and Mrs. Hanan, and Mesdames Cave, Minnifie, Norrie, Messrs. J. P. Xcwman, F. J. Rolleston and G. T. Dawson, all members of the first committee, were present, also representatives of the various organisations in South Canterbury who support the Rest.

The function was opened with a dedication service, with prayers by the Rev. J. Richards, Captain Wilks, a Scripture reading by the Rev. M. A. McDowall and an address by the Rev. I. G. Borrie. Expressing his pleasure to he associated with the band of women who had accomplished so much for the comfort of seamen, the Mayor congratulated the Women’s Christian Temperance Union on t-heir work during the years in the management of the Sailors’ Rest. He was sure it was the desire of every citizen to thank them for their work and to wish them continued success.

Mr. G. T. Dawson, a member of the committee elected at the public meeting called to decide on the building of the Rest, assured the W.C.T.U., as

trustees of the Timaru Sailors’ Rest, that their effort to provide home comforts for seamen during their stay in the port of Timaru were appreciated by those men. He wished the Rest continued success as the home away trom home for sailors from overscan

Miss Fyfe briefly described the history of the Sailors’ Rest, which began in 18f,7 in the Assembly Rooms, then in upper George street. This acceinmotlation soon proved too small for the number.': of the sailing ships who were anxious to accept the hospitality offered and what had been the first Harbour Board office became the new quarters. Although additions were made from time to time this also became inadequate and in March, 1923, a public meeting decided on the building of new premises. The present Sailors’ Rest was opened by the Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, on [ 'her 15, 1924, more than £3,000 ba\ ng been contributed toward the cost

V.> appec! had been made for funds during the war, Miss Fyfe said, and it w only possible tc n.ake the recent a 1 ations ♦hroug 1 ’ the receipt of a J c< n s! from the estate of t.:c late Mr. ‘ • B. Garrick. The verandah along buc front of the building had been K ,aS *cd in to provide extra lounge T ' 11 and necessary renovations have been tinished in the large recreation r "»tn and to the outside of the build*

ing. The Rest committee were short of funds, she said, and it was only through the generosity of the custodial, Mrs. W. R. Woodward, that they had been able to continue to provide the traditional hospitality. Mrs. Woodward has been in charge since the building was opened and tributes to tier services were pr.id by seve r al speakers. The Sailors’ Rest was dependent on the generosity of the public of South Canterbury, Miss Fyfe continued, appealing to those organisations represented at the function to continue their support and inviting citizens to take a share in the responsibility of the care of visiting seamen. Books and magazines for the ships were always appreciated, she added, suggesting that these could he cot trihuted as well as cash. —From iiniaru.

GOOD CITIZENSHIP Among the many activities which add to the record of our ‘‘Good Citizenship” is that of Street Collections. Almost every Union reports some work done in this connection in their Good Citizenship annual report (if they remember to send it in). It is not. always a popular piece of work. Some people have a strong dislike for it. Others find it interesting and congenial, and do it successfully whenever they are asked to help in this way. By assisting with these many appeals to the public, we identify ourselves and our work with a wider field. We make contacts which are valuable to us, and which broaden and deepen our own vision in regard to the work of organisations of which we would knowvery little otherwise. Obviously, we do a real service to these various organisations also.

One organisation which is helped uy several of our Unions is the ‘‘Crippled Children Society.” As the time is coming for making an appeal for this Society, a few w-ords regarding the aims and work may not be out of place. A good deal of misapprehension is noted as to the need for the Society at all; in a land where the invalid and afflicted are cared for by a Social Security scheme, and where large sums arc allocated to caring for them. A little explanation should remove all doubt as to the need for what is done by it. By a system of Welfare Officers, who work in well defined areas, contact is made with many hundreds of children. Many of them would in the ordinary course of things he given every chance of media l and educational help by their parents. But the numbers of loving parents who have given up hope for the future of their afflicted children, and who have settled down to the belief that nothing more can be done foT th';.n, is surprising. !t is to stimulate such parents, and to

awaken in the child a desire for something more, that the Welfare Officer directs her efforts. Wherever the slightest hope of help exists, the officer makes it available. Sometimes the mother is harassed with the cares of her family, and the father has no time to go into the matter, and the officer can step in here and make everything easy for them. Mi.ny and many a child who has lived under conditions of suffering and disability unnecessarily has been brought to normal living by the work thus done. But it is for the child whose condition is practically outside the possibility of improvement that the most valuable w r ork is done. By special teachers, correspondence lessons and other agencies, hand-crafts and trades are taught to those who are fit to undertake them. Wonderful stories could he told of hoys and girls who have become able to earn good livings for themselves even though confined to bed, or to an invalid chair. The difference in the mental outlook, and general development of character, in these cases is very marked as the result of the training and personal endeavour brought into action by it. Much more could he said, but this will suffice to give some idea of our reasons for helping the society.

TREASURER’S REPORT

February Ist to May 31st, 1946

N.Z. Fund: Picton, North Auckland District, I’ukehuia, Styx, Kaikorai, Invercargill North, Karori, each 10/-; Temuka, Napier, Oamaru, Feilding, Mrs. H. Patcison, Tinwald, Hamilton, ’ !enhe;m, Wellington Central, each £1; Manawatu District, £l/1/-; Linwood, Christchurch, £3; Miss C. E. Kirk, £l/19/6; Nuie Island, Sale of Baskets, £l/10/-; Dunedin, £3/3/-; ■ ”U Chevalier, 7/6; Belfast "White k.oDoncr,” 3/-; Collection, Convention Reception, £3/9/6. N.Z. Headquarters Fund: Christchurch, £3; Tinwald, £1; North Brighton, 3/6.

Organising Fund: Hawera, £2/11/-; Picton “Y’s,” 3/-; Point Chevalier, 18/-; Christchurch, 19/6; Wellington Central, £3/13/6; Oamaru, £7/10/-. World s Missionary Fund: Ashburton, 17/-; Riccarton, 10/-; Gisborne, 10/-; Feilding, 8/9; Oxford, 9/6; Levin, 10/-; Mount Eden, 6/6; Auckland, 16/-; Pahiatua, 9/-; Balclutha, 7/6; Point Chevalier, 7/6; Reefton, 10/-; Warkworfli, 10/-; Shirley-Richmond, 7/9.

Maori Fund: Point Chevalier, 7/-. Publicity Fund: Miss Kirk, donation, £2.

Y.P.T.C.U. Fund: Sale of stamps (Miss Appleby), £3/1/9; donation, Miss Matheson, 10/-; Miss Christie, 10/-. M. B. LOVELL-SMITH, Dominion Treasurer.