MERCHANT SEAMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1943, Page 4

MERCHANT SEAMEN

VISIT TO FEATHERSTON On a recent Saturday afternoon, the British Sailors’ Society, Wellington, took into the country approximately 80 men of the Merchant Navy in two of the new Railway buses. This was a trip to “Farham,” the home of Mrs William Barton, Underhill Road, Featherston. Mrs Barton is a loyal and generous supporter of the men who take and bring our goods from the other side of the world. In extending a welcome to the men, she invited them to wander anywhere in the garden, pick flowers, play football and thoroughly enjoy the brilliantly sunny day in the country. Afternoon tea was prepared and served by members of the Chart and Compass Club, in a picturesque setting, on the lawn under the shade of a lovely golden wattle tree. Leaving Featherston at 4.30 p.m. the men sang all the way back to Wellington, enjoyed a hot meal at the rooms of the British Sailors’ Society, and in the evening had a rollicking time at the bumper’ social which followed. A Canadian visitor, Mr Tony Byrne, gave several solos. The buses, for this trip to the country, were arranged and financed by the Wellington Patriotic Committee. The inside walls of the British Sailors’ Society building have recently been spring-cleaned and given a fresh coat of cream paint, and with the advent of spring flowers tastefully displayed, the rooms present a homely and clean place for the men to spend many an evening of recreation and reSt while visiting the port.