SAILORS ENTERTAINED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 86, 5 January 1935, Page 5

SAILORS ENTERTAINED

Guests of Seamen’s Institute

The festive season has been a very busy one for all connected with the work of the Flying Angel Seamen’s Institute. On practically every day since the arrival of the cruisers and sloops on December 14 sports matches have been arranged for the men, with cricket and tennis the most popular. A few days before Christmas the men off the warships were taken in . buses for a picnic to Wilton’s Bush. Christinas Day opened with a celebration of Holy Communion at which the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. T. H. Sprott, officiated. The ladies were untiring in their efforts to make the Christmas tea a success. The hall was tastefully decorated. Officers and men, merchantmen and naval men, joined to make Christmas night a night to be remembered. There were games and singing until supper was served, after which all hands trooped into the chapel for a short service before returning to their ships. The picnic on Boxing Day was acclaimed a huge success. Buses were chartered to Khandallah Domain, where the men eagerly climbed the wooded hills and admired the glorious scenery. After tea some really strenuous sports were organised. A tug-o’-war. navy v. merchantmen, was won by the latter. On the return to the institute after dark the remainder of the evening was filled in with indoor contests. The ping-pong tournament, in which about 20 couples participated, was won by Mr. Townes (Rangitata). The usual weekly whist drive was held on New Year’s Eve, the winners being Messrs. M. Tinnon and 11. Lindsay (Mataroa). After supper the men retired to the mission chapel for a watchnight service held at the special request of the men. . . Khandallah Domain was again visited on New Year’s Day, when two bus. loads of men arrived, bent on a repetition of the Boxing Day picnic. The weather was not quite as good on this occasion, although many climbed the hills again and others spent their time swimming until rain drove all back to the institute, where tea was served, followed by community singing and dancing. The missioner and committee desire to thank all firms and individuals, for the splendid way they responded, with cash and in kind to make the holiday season a happy one for those who were away from their own homes over the holiday season.