SAILORS' FRIEND SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2508, 8 July 1915, Page 7

SAILORS' FRIEND SOCIETY

•'At a meeting of the supporters and workers of the .Sailors' Friend Society, held last night, great surprise was expressed at the action of tho lato committee of the Missions to Seamen, who suggested by letter that they_ v/bre. about to remove the furniture, pictures, and all things by many 'warm supporters (several of whom are, now deceased) of work amongst the sailors. 'Vho hope was expressed that many past donors would come forward and state their wishes, as others have done, that articles given by thorn for the use' of sailors should remain in the building. It was stated that when the, matter, •was first mooted by the late Missions to Seamen Committee. £350 was asked for the. furniture. ' This, it was added, was Tefused by the committee of the Sailors' Friend Society.' Later on smaller sums were suggested, and finally £150 was' offered and accepted by the Missions to Seamen Committee for tho furniture now in the building; This sum, however, was refused at a later date, and we are informed a threat was held out by. that committee that the furniture -would- be removed by them, and that the Sailors' Friend .. Society would not have an opportunity of pur-' chaso at all. • ,

As July 14 is the date given on which they can remove aiiy furniture which they think they are legally entitled to, it was Jelb by thoso present at the meeting that such an action would placo the society in a most invidious position; or on a par with-that licld ; ,by . Mr. Moore when lie landed here sixteen years ago without a stick of furniture for mission work in tho old room on the wharf, where he secured some of these gifts, and continued to secure sufficient to carry on-the increased, work in th© present building. As the' gifts were donated for the seamen, and are'being used for that purpose, the meeting, felt that the Missions to Seamen Committco woro taking, very, drastic steps in •removing, tlio things at a time when good work was being done among thoso for whom Mrs. AVilliams,. tho aged donor, erected the building. - Much indignation' was expressed ' during the mooting at the vexation Mrs.' Williams is being put to in tho matter. Tho prevailing opinion in tho meeting _ was that, judging by tho Wellingtoniaris' past confidence and assistance, they would not allow Mr. "Moore, liis workers, and sailors, to suffer from the lack of, furniture, even should the lat9 committee carry, out their threat.'