GUEST HOUSE FOR MEN.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20272, 25 June 1931, Page 11

GUEST HOUSE FOR MEN.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND VENTURE. SHELTER FOR HOMELESS. The establishment of this guest house will have a reflex influence, for those men who shelter under its roof will feel that they are being given not only the material shelter of the Church, but its moral assistance as well,", said one of the speakers at the opening of the new men's guest house, established by the Evangelistic, and Social Council of the Church of England at 195 :Antigua street, which was declared open by the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) yesterday afternoon. As was stated by Bishop West-Watson during the ceremony, it was at first intended to establish the guest house in Waltham, but residents,of the localityobjected, and rather than abandon the scheme to provide some Bhelter for the City's many homeless men it was decided to purchase the present building • in Antigua street. . This is a two-storied wooden house, excellent for its purpose, with many big rooms suitable as dormitories, all of which are well lighted, and with. adequate facilities in other -/ directions. There are nine dormitories; and twenty-four beds are ready for oci cupation—some of them actually occu* I pied. It is hoped to provide hospital? | ity for forty men altogether. Some of the dormitories hold as many as sis beds; these are of the stretcher type, and each man has adequate bedding. The dining-room is oh the ground fioor, and is warmed by a large fire. In this room the men rest after meals, reading matter being provided for them; "At -the rear of the house shower baths have been installed, and for these hot and, cold water is available .at any time. Cooking is done by the caretaker and his wife on a. large gas cooker. Sonp was popular among the men who seek hospitality there, the caretaker explain- '.'' ed, and this is available in plenty through the generosity of a Christchur'eb resident who sends weekly-to the house three bullock heads. Those present at yesterday's ceremony included the Bishop and Mrs West-Wat-son, Dean Julius and Mrs Julius, Archdeacon P. B. Haggitt, Archdeacon P. " N. Taylor, the Bev. Pi Eevell, the Bev. C. Perry, and the Bev. C. A. Fraer, the Rev. and Mrs J. K. Archer, the Mayor,. Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., and the Town Clerk* Mr J7 S. Neville, Mr George Harper, and Mr W. W. Scarff. Bishop West-Watson, as the representative of the Evangelistic and Social ' Council, welcomed those present. 'He regretted the unavoidable absence of the Bev. O. Fitzgerald, who originated the guest-house scheme, and who worked so energetically to see it established. It was due to his energy that a place with so many advantages had been secured. The committee had" thought at one time that they had a site, but people who lived in its locality had -not viewed the proposal in such'an attractive light. It had been difficult to find another place, but the present building had been, bought. The Eev. J. K. Archer had told.him, the Bishop continued, those who overruled the original scheme had been bestowing a blessing in disguise, for" the house eventually selected had certainly proved much more worthy to provide hdspitality to the men than waß , the I other. [ The Bishop pointed out that about £IOOO was stiil needed to pay off the mortgage on the house. He thought that there were at least one thousand people in the City who would be willing - ito give £1 towards providing hospitality for homeless men. Food, extra beds, and clothing were needed, and I perhaps these would be found by people I who were unable to provide financial assistance, but could give sustenance in other ways. , The City's Congratulations. Mr Sullivan extended to those responsible for the establishment of the guest house the congratulations of the City. "Its opening has contributed substantially towards solving one form of ■ the present, distress," he stated. "In fact, all the Churches and the whole community of Christchurch.> have re- - sponded nobly to -appeals for assistance." He wished particularly to thank the Eev. P. Eevell and the Eev.,O. Fitzgerald for their share in furthering the. guest-house scheme. The Eev. J. K. Archer emphasised the moral effect the giving of such fine hospitality would have on the minds.of the men who will make use of the guest house. Arehdeacon Taylor, chairman of the Social and Evangelistic Committee, and Mr George - Harper also spoke, Mr Harper giving a brief outline of the work of the committees in charge of the Pound Belief Scheme. It was pointed out during the ceremony by the Bishop that the Eev. •0. Fitzgerald had kindly undertaken' the task of collecting the money necessary to wipe off the mortgage on the pro-