THE SAILORS’ HOME.

Evening Star, Issue 3552, 11 July 1874, Page 2

THE SAILORS’ HOME.

A meeting of the Committee was hold at the City Council Chambers this morning; present —The Mayor, Messrs.R. B. Martin, Street, Strode, Fish, jun. (Hon. sec.), T*wsley, Paul, Guthrie, and Weber, The Secretary said the principal business before the meeting was to select, if possible, a site for the erection of the Home. The Superintendent had stated to the deputation which waited on him that the only one available was at Pelichet Bay, on the further side of the railway line; but the deputation was averse to that. The speaker thought the question was to consider whether they should accept that site as an endowment in aid of the institution and erect the building somewhere else. There was an eligible site in Princes street south — the old Immigration Barracks —which belonged to the Corporation. Mr Strode asked if it would not be preferable to rent a building— was it not premature to build at present ? Mr Fish pointed out that in collecting subscriptions it was understood th&lTthey were given for the purpose of erecting a building. Had they stated that their intention was simply to rent a building, probably the subscriptions would be more limited. Mr Street did not think it advisable to build an expensive place at present. They had better determine at first whether the institution was likely to bo a success.

Mr Strode thought it better to rent a place temporarily to see how it' answered. Everything depended on the management committee. Mr Martin said that L 240 had passed through his bands, that subscriptions were being liberally given, and that Mr Larnach had informed him that Mr Clark had promised LIOO towards the institution.

Mr Fish thought the Princes street site could be converted into a Home by spending about LIOO or Ll5O, the Government having promised the building.

After further discussion, it was resolved—- “ That, in the opinion of this meeting, the site suggested by tho Government is unsuitable at present, and the Secretary be requested to communicate with the Government with a view of getting it as an endowment for the seamen as a Sailor’s Home.” The site referred to it at Pelichet Bay, and this the meeting considered too far from the jetties to be available as a Home, though it might bo used for other purposes. Mr Fish, in moving the resolution, said that if they did not take the site now they might not be able to get it at a future time. It was further resolved that the Secretary be requested to write to the City Council as to the terms on which they might secure the Prinoes street site.

Mr Paul said that a large amount of money had been promised him by different parties, and he had no doubt that the subscriptions would be very good. The Harbor Company had promised to hold over their subscription till Mr Mills returned, in a couple of months er six weeks, wnen they would give a handsome donation. He had got L 25 from Messrs Cargill and Co., and L 25 from Messs G. G. Bussell and Co., besides other large amounts. With reference to the New Zealand Shipping Company’s subscription, he might mention that he had seen Mr Prosser, who said that at the first meeting the matter would be brought before them.

Mr Fish, in reading a letter fronj. the secretary of the Press Dramatic Club,’ tendering their services in aid of the Home, said that he had not thought it necessary to wait for a committee meeting but had accepted the offer. No doubt a considerable amount would accrue from the proceeds. Mr Tewslet mentioned that the committee of the Benevolent Institution had refused a similar offer because they could not bind themselves to sell tickets. He did not think it could be expected that the committee of the Sailors’ Home could be expected to sell tickets. Mr Fisif said it was optional with them; no one need sell tickets unless he had a desire to do so. Personally, he intended to make a canvas of the town. Perhaps the papers would insert the advertisements without charge. Mr Tewslet objected to this. The papers were most liberal, and if they pleased might make a reduction, but he did not think they were justified in asking them to insert the advertisements gratis. It was like asking a draper to give blankets to the Home. Besides this, the newspapers would probably subscribe to the fund.

After further consideration, Mr Tewsley’s remarks were agreed to and the matter left to the'papers tfl charge what price they liked. It was resolved that subscription lists pe placed on the steamers and sailing eraftg in the hkrbor, after which the meeting concluded.