OUR MEN IN ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15938, 27 June 1917, Page 6

OUR MEN IN ENGLAND.

THE SOLDIERS' CLUB.

The following cxtract from a lcttcf just received from a Christchurch lady at present in England lias very kindly, been placcd at our disposal:— Wo went to tho Now Zealand Soldiers' Club on Good Friday dfternoOß, and met Mr Nolan, Mr Burnett, nnd Mr Macdonald; the last-mentioned .Arrived whilst wo were there, followed' by thirteen tired, dirty men straight frdm the trcnchos. One of tho three men goes to the station every day that word comes through of New Zealandcrs coming on leave, nnd brings them_ to tno Hostel, whore hot baths aro waiting) a change of clothes, and a good square meal.

The first impression one gets on ontering is the air of "hoincy-noss" about the place. There is a noticeable lnck of rigid discipline which the tired soldier is so relieved to got away from iOt I a time—no stiff sentry standing at tho door, etc., etc. Of course, therearc certain rules, but they arc rather those of a well-ordered liome than of a military hostel. Mr Nolan is hailed oh. "Dad" or "Father" —told "lie's joll.v well too strict on a chap," but grinned at at tho same time. . . The Hostel is really tlireo private houses, commandeered by the Govern' ment at Mr Nolan's repeated requests; Thoy are stripped of nil unnecessary furnishings—enough left to make thett look comfortable. There is a social room with piano and easy chairs; b»* lianl room, reading room with all Net* Zealand papers, writing room, huge bathroom, with plenty of hot and colu showers, nicc dining room and numbers of bedrooms fitted up like dormitories. There is even a "drunk room." No mau is turned away, iw> matter in what state, he comcs home--ho is put in this room, left there until the morning, when n good strong cilp of coffee is taken to him, and then Mr Nolan goes and reads > tho Kiot Act. Mr Nolan is the right man in tIM right place, and he has every right td be proud of thi3 noble work. It w grand to think thoro is such a placo for tho men to go to. Last week I visited tho University War Hospital here. There were no New /(inlanders there, but I met a lot. of the English Tommies. Although some, poor men, will never be well again, still they wero most wonderfully bright, and beautifully obliviouf of the fact that thoy had made an) noble sacrifice in leaving wives, children, homes, little businesses, etc., and going out to fight. In their spare time, or rather to pass the time, they do embroidery—work their regimental badges most perfectly on to cushion covers, cloths, etc. They are _ mosl proud of this work, and occasionally little exhibitions arc held in the hospital, and people may go and view the work. -i Last week I saw from this window two or three lots of German prisoners. They for the most part looked wear? and'poorly clad, and I was surpri ."d to see how short they were by the side of our soldiers.

Every day companies of the latter pass through tho dock —steel helmets on, kits slung over their shoulders. Such cbecrv-looking men. It's taking me ages to take it all ns a matter of course. I always feel so awfully grateful to thorn.