TO HELP THE POOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1211, 21 August 1911, Page 3

TO HELP THE POOR.

MEN'S BROTHERHOOD EFFORT. . The first anniversary of the Wellington City Men's Brotherhood was held in tho New Theatre yesterday afternoon. His Worship the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. M. Wilford) presided.' The celebrations were made the occasion of an appeal for funds, wherewith to provide the institution with a "Sister of the Poor." The theatre was full.

The' Rev. E. 0. Blamires said that it was-pleasing to see so many of the brethren present. Tho movement of tlio brotherhood was unsectaTian. Its roots were planted in tho Central Mission, but its branches found a way into many other quarters. It was non-political, but made for the social uplifting of mankind. It was a desire ot tho brotherhood ; to do something to help the poor of this city, and therefore the proceeds of tho gathering would be devoted to the object of procuring a "Sister of the Poor."

The Mayor said that Wellington had alwiys been ready'to help where help was required. There was nothing nobler in tho world than the making of some'sacrifice for those who were needy. He was sure ample funds would be forthcoming for the Sister to -be obtained. The first thing the brotherhood should do was to approach the tramway, and ask for a free pass for all timet for the Sister, in order to help her in her good work. (Applause.) It gavo him much pleasure to preside, in fact, he deer»<d it an honour .r° take. tW chair at such a gathering. The largo attondancc, and tho fact that those who were to provide the musical programme were giving their time and leisure, were indication that creed differences did not prevent people uniting in a good cause. Cluef-Patty-Ofliccr Welsh, of' H.M.S. Challenger, addressed the people. He 'told' several relevant stories illustrating how much thc.ro .always was to do for thoso wuo w-ero willing to do it, and how in any lives could be lost or saved according to the neglect or the'performance of duty. Ho hoped that when the bugle call tor ac.ion sounded, every member of the brotherhood would bo at his post; wh ° had worked as a sister in.Scotland and in Dunedin, said nr'wL t i e "il 10 am ' increasing needs to be attended in Wellington. ShS made a splendid appeal on behalf of the movement She showed, through the medium of anecdote, that there was tragtl {ro M \v^ any " l clli "Ston home, and theic las much . work to be done. Many who were willing to lieip had families of t.ieif own to tend, but tint rliil not preclude them from contributing to fund which would support someone pro-' cured for the purpose of looking after the