MISSIONS TO SEAMEN

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1963, 21 January 1914, Page 11

MISSIONS TO SEAMEN

YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED, .: From a review of the operations of the Missions to Seamen in Wellington, by tTio Missioner, Mr. W. K. Cocks, tlio following extract is taken:—While help has been sought and generously given by the many friends of tho sailor-man, no attempt has been made- to attract, cither to tho services at the institute, or the various entertainments, other than the members of the seafaring class. That this effort has been appreciated by tho men for whose welfare tho institute c.iists is evidenced by the increasing popularity. Many warm *vprc3sions of gratitudo havo been received again and again. In the following figures no account has been taken of any shore friends or visitors, but only of tho scamon frequenting tho institute. , These show that at tho various services there has been an attend- \ anco • of 5520 seamen throughout the year, whilo at concerts'and other entertainments tho attendance haa totalled 7'JoO. The numbers using the reading room dally is shown by a. total of U,-130. An attractive refreshment bar has been installed for tho sale of tea, cocoa, cordials, and post cards, and has proved a great convenience to several thousands of men. Somo 800 individual visits havo been paid to seamen in hospital by the Jlissioner or one of tho workers. Tho Mail Department of tho Mission is also an important one. During tho year no fewer than 5602 letters havo been received for seamen. ■■■ Each letter is numbered, dated, and entered in the letter hook kept for the purpose. The name is placed on an alphabetical list so that every man. entering ,the building can see at a glance if any letter awaits him. Of this total /73.'have been leaddrossed, an indication, of the changing nature of tho seaman's .call- 1 mg. In addition to this'some 509-I.let-tors have been written ' bv seamen ■in "no institute. Large quantities -of.'.lit-: orattiro have boon distributed to going crews, while during ' the:- recent; strike fully half a tor, of-.reading mat-i: ter was placed on tho. vessels -lying:--i.n,. the stream Tor the us.i Tho concerts and cntortainnieiit's-'flnive; been well maintained duntiH th'o'-yraV;'; and in note the Missiqne'r'; : .cs>! presses lis personal thank's.-to.the. : lSi'n;e: circle of friends who liavo='so%;illingl.y : and generously enabled' tlie,-missiqn4to: carry out this very atractivo featuVe'Xofits work. . ■'■ \*i : : ■ :?&sy^&"&':i'i