Inter alia the annual report says The first annual report of the Shaftes bury House for the year 1901 is very encouraging. Opened as a home for sailors and soldiers in the present temporary premises, it has provided sleeping accommodation for upwards of 8,900 ma men and supplied many thousands meals. During the troubles of the past year a number of missionaries were accommodated in the adjoining house, and the profits arising from the same helped considerably in the initial expenses of the home.
The year 1901 has b many ways a reaction after the stra in and tension of 1900; the many ships that passed. through uring the antamn of 1990 and winter and spring of 1901 gave us a vast scope for labour. Upwards of 300 services have been held on the men-of-war and in the Mission hall, rented by the Seamen's Mission on Sundays and week-days, and the grestest cneoitragement has been given to the workers for the efforts put forth. Many of the men have testified to the blessing they have found the home to he—a bright spot amid the awful sin and depravity of port such as Shanghai, the on!
Shore a man, who realises what a snare drink is, can' get good food and a clean, comfortable bed, apar* from its ensnaring influence: and we trust when we have the larger, more attractive and more com-odious premises, which we hope t" be in possession of in the late autammn, that our work will be considerably extended. Admiral Sir BE. H. Seymour and Cay Erskine expressed th i the plan of the new building and the work carried on, and farnished two beds for the new building, which has been specially designed by Messrs. Morrison, Gratton, "and Scott as a home for na men, with commodious bed and bath rooms, reading room, restaurant, and hall. The increased rental and furnishing will prove a heavy item, as the only fixed source of income i $48.00 per month paid by the Seamen's Mission for the use of the hall.
So far the work has been self-supporting aided by gifts from personal friends, and we trust this will be augmented as the need arises.
Thanking all those who have helped by service or gifts, Yours in the interests of the navy men, Rest. J. Fetcate.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.