BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3110, 14 June 1917, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS.

* WELLINGTON BRANCH OF THE SOCIETY. Tbo annual meeting of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society took place in the society's rooms, Post Office Square, on' tho ovening of May 2S last; wlteti tho honorary secretary read tho annual report of tho work dono by tho society amongst tho sailors visiting tho port of Wellington. It is quilo remarkable tbo amount of good work accomplished by tho British and Foreign {jailors' Society in Wellington in a very quiet way. This society rarely comes before tho .public through tho medium of tho local papers, but the work progresses nevertheless, and is much blessed. Tho following record, in a summary form, will show that tho work of this branch of tho B. and F.S.S. fully justifies its existence and claim on Christians lor their cordial co-operation:—Gospel meetings on board ships in port, 19; estimated attendance at same,'sol; Gospel meetings (in rooms and ailoat), 99; estimated attendance at these, 823; number who confessed to receiving Christ as their personal Saviour, 71; number of ships visited, 336; number of tracts distributed, 8363; Bibles and testaments distributed free, 137; personal conversations of ' a spiritual character with seamen, 198fi; jackets of magazines and books distributed, 12; number who visited the rooms, SOU; letters received and posted for seamen, 36; teas and other meals provided free, 931; free beds provided for seamen, 21; clothing provided free, 5; comfort bags distributed, 78. On two occasions during tho past year the society entertained to tea in. their rooms 23 boys from the training ship Amokura, when a pleasant evening was spent, which was ranch appreciated by trio boys. This work is entirely supported by voluntary contributions by those who become acquainted with tho purposes and extent of tho work. Tho society is tho oldest organisation In exislcneo'for tho benefit of sailors, having been founded in 1818; it will therefore celebrate its centenary next year. There is scarcely a port around tho whole world where tho society has not a branch and representative, when 6ailors visiting in ships may not receive a warm welcome and bo supplied with anything 'Ihey require, and receive advice on any matter requiring local knowledge. The society provides in. its rooms a well provided free tea every Sunday afrornonn for all sailors visiting Wellington, after which a bright Gospel meeting is held, 'and as (he above summary shows, has been imieh blessed. The rooms are open every evening from fi to 9.30 p.m. for the sailors' nso for reading, writing, and where games are also provided; a member of the local board being in charge, wlin will bo pleased to see any interested in the work of the B. nud F.R.S. among seamen in Wolliimlon. The Wellington hon. secretary is Mr. Hamilton Nimmo, -13 Kent Terrace, who will be very pleased to givo any further information lo anyone reading this report, or acknowledge any donations from Christian friends who have a desire to help along- the good woiic. Magazines and books are very much in request for use in the reading room npd for placing on board outwardbound ships. These urn much appreciated by tho men.