THE SAILORS' HOME.

Evening Star, Issue 4312, 21 December 1876, Page 2

THE SAILORS' HOME.

At noon to-day Messrs E. B. CargilL H. Houghton, "VValcott, Ramsay, Mercer, Capt. Russell, and Guthrie, as representing the Committee of the Sailors' Home, with Capt. Eckoff, the master of the institution, had an interview with the Commissiener of Customs. Mr Cakgill explained that the building which it was intended to erect would cost about L 3,000, and the object of the deputation was to ascertain, in the first place, if the Government would grant any aid towards erecting it; in the next, if the Government would permit the shipping office for seamen to be attached to the Home, the duties to be undertaken by the master, and the fees to go towards the support of the institution ; and in the third place, if the Government could not see their way to granting substantial aid, whether they wouldassist the Home by giving prison' labor in procuring stone from Bell Hill, and rubble from Maitland street to make concrete. Mr M'Lean replied that, so far as he was concerned, he would be happy to give what assistance he could, because on going over the institution on different occasions he had been struck with the way it was conducted. As regarded money help, that was a matter upon which he would have to consult his colleagues; but he was afraid he could not hold out any hope of the Home receiving money aid from the Government. But he thought he might do something for them in the way ef prison labor. Regarding the shipping of seamen, he had steadily refused to allow any licenses to anyone outside the Custom-house, because he considered the Custom-house afforded the seamen the necessary protection. But in a case of this sort, with the thing properly conducted and under the supervision of a committee, he did not kuow but that it might be desirable to grant the request. However, he would like to think the thing over. He would be happy to assist privately the object in view. The deputation withdrew, after depositing with the hon gentleman plans of the proposed Home.