HELPING SEAMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 987, 2 June 1930, Page 13

HELPING SEAMEN

WORK OF SAILORS’ HOME A total attendance during the past year of 10,250, a daily average of 28 men, compared with 11,637, or 31 men, for the preceding year, is revealed in the annual report of the Auckland Sailors’ Home, which will be presented by the president, Mr. G. W. Sanders, at the annual meeting on June 18. This period completes 45 years of work on the waterfront in the interests of sailors. "For many years this mission has been operating in Auckland, and despite the fact that publicity was not indulged in, good work is being done on the waterfront,” states the report. “The social room has been constantly occupied. The men have used the games and a full-sized billiards table and other entertainments are provided in the mission hall.” During the past year there had been no call for the accommodation of shipwrecked crews. Lack of funds had not permitted further structural improvements. but various interior improvements had been carried out. Further books are needed for the library and also games for the social room. NEW HALL NECESSARY Negotiations with the Missions to Seamen had been finalised in which the Sailors’ Home transfers to the mission certain lands in Sturdee Street, at present unoccupied, upon which the missions contract to erect a twostorey institute to provide for the needs of seamen. The erection of this building will necessitate the demolition of a portion of the existing hall now used by the Auckland Sailors’ Home Mission and a new hall to replace the old one will be necessary. As part of the consideration the Missions to Seamen council undertake to replace this hall with a modern structure. The total receipts from boarders during the year amounted to £2,113 9s Cd, compared with £2,312 2s 6d in the previous year. Interest from endowment produced £358 17s 2d and subscriptions and donations amounted to £l9l 17s. The year commenced with an adverse balance- of £2lO 10s Sd which had been increased to £525 2s lid, showing a loss on working account of £314 12s 3d for the year. This was due to the less number of men using the home and the supply cf free meals and beds to the value of £l2l 17s 6d. Since the closing of accounts the endowment fund had been increased by a donation of £SO from the Auckland Savings Bank.

The report appeals for help and assistance in carrying on the work of the institute. As the result of u

special effort the membersnip has been increased to about 70, but the council considers that the membership in Auckland and the province ghoul d reach at least 1,000. T- '