OUR SOLDIERS IN ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15775, 16 December 1916, Page 8

OUR SOLDIERS IN ENGLAND.

"THE PRESS" HOSTEL LTSIV In response to an appeal lrom Loodon, it will i>e remembered that we invited subscriptions from our reader* for the purpose of providing equipment for the Uonotit of New Zealand soldiers in England. The sum of £208 12c Gd was subscribed, and we forwarded the amount to our Ixmdon correspondent, requesting him to consult with the Committer of the War Contingent Association, so as to expend the money to the beet advantage. Under date ol November 3rd. our correspondent writes: —

Referring to your letter of August llitli, with regard to a subscription for the soldiers hostel. 1 have discussed the matter with Ivord Plunket and other members of the Committee. •'Tho hostel in Russell square was already fully <>o nipped when your letter reached me. even to the extent of billiard tables. >o I thought it better to wait until some really necessary object nresented itself. A week or two ago a verv urgent request for a billiard table for the corporals' moss at tlie Codford Command Depot came before the Association and Mr Grigg and I thought that was exactly the sort- of object that the money could be best applied to. "There is- another soldiers' club in the coursc of erection at Rroekenliurst, which will require two table*, and a third .it Hornehureh. which will also rcouire two tables. "We have already secured four second-band tnbles in almost new condition from Movers Edwards, Ltd.— three nt C3"> each, and a fourth at £37 10s. The fifth, which we shall probably bo obliged to ntirchnse now. ought to be obtainable for the balance of the sum which you sent . "As you will understand, many clubs in Tx>ndon and in the provinces have l>een compelled to elese down, or find smaller quarters m account- of the war. and this has thrown on the market a considerable quantity of club furniture, in excellent condition. ''I am having plates "(fixed to each of the tables showing they were nrceented l'v readers of 'The Press.' "Needless to spy the Association and Club Committee in particular, are very grateful for this substantial help." Seeing that our correspondent has been able to secure no fewer than five billiard tables with the money, and bearing in mind what an excellent means of recxcation is thereby afforded to soldiers on leave, we venture to think the subscribers will agree with ns that our correspondent has expended their money to good advantage.