WELCOME NEW ROOMS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23132, 23 September 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

WELCOME NEW ROOMS

OFFICIAL ■ OPE2«Nt? BY MAYOR

PREMISES i CONTAIN MANY FACILITIES

More than lf>o citizens, representing local bodies, military units, and other organisations, attended the official opening of the Christchurch Welcome Club’s new premises, in Lichfield street The function, which took rf j orrn a luncheon, was presided over by the Mayor (Mr R. M sacfa5 acfa 5 la " e ' M.P.), who officially opened the new club rooms. Before the official opening of the rooms the manager of the Christchuich Tramway Board (Mr H E J landed over a cheque of ±-400 to the treasurer of the Canterbury Patriotic Committee (Mr J. W Niven) The cheque is part of’ ari amount being collected by the Tramway Patriotic Committee towards the furnishing and decorating of the new club rooms.

The necessity of looking after the interests of men while in camp was emphasised by the Mayor. The better facilities of the new rooms were referred to. It" was impossible for the women- helpers to render services under the conditions in the old club rooms. The organisation of the club and premises was second to none in New Zealand, said his Worship. He hoped that the men of the Army, Navy, and Air Force would carry away a soft spot in their hearts for the men and women they had met in the Welcome Club. His Worship thanked all organisations and helpers who had contributed to make the club an outstanding success. He specially thanked the Tramway Patriotic Committee for its efforts, and said that the Canterbury Patriotic Committee would only be slightly affected after the final returns had been made. Activities During Year

An_ outline of the club's history and activities was given by the organiser (Mrs W. P. Kent-Johnston), who said that the club had been given official recognition about two weeks after war was declared. Since that time about 32,000 high teas had been served at the club’s various rooms. The first facilities of the club were extended to troops ifv. the Returned Soldiers’ Association rooms. The Toe H and Crichton Cobbers’ club rooms were jater used, and the growing popularity of the Welcome Club necessitated a further removal to the old Art Gallery buildings, said Mrs Kent-Johnston. During the year 82 organisations had affiliated with the club, together. with 12 groups of people, who had as hosts and hostesses to the troops.' Organisations from Invercargill, Barfield, Havvarden, Kaiapoi, and other groups from various Canterbury districts had assisted with the running of the club, said Mrs Kent-Johnston. The present cost of maintaining the club averaged from , £ls to £l7 a week, this sum including rent, lighting, heating, cleaning, and sundries. Appreciation of the gratitude shown" by the men for the efforts of the club was also expressed by Mrs KentJohnston. Club Officials Thanked

Colonel E. T. Rowllings, officer in charge of the Southern Military Command, thanked the 'club officials on behalf of the soldiers, and Wing Commander Sir Robert Clark-Hall on behalf of the Air Force. Mr J. L. Hay spoke on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch.

Among the many features of the new club rooms is the spacious ballroom on the ground floor. The sup-per-room is capable of accommodating 140 people at one sitting; Other features include a spacious lounge and card-room, which will accommodate 600 men. Adjoining the supper-room is a large kitchen, fully equipped with modern heating and cooking appliances.

VISIT BY MINISTER

FOR FINANCE

“EXAMPLE TO THE DOMINION”

Two long lines of men from the armed forces, singing “Roll Out the Barrel. ’ formed a guard of honour for the Minister for Finance, the Hon. W, Nash, when he visited the Welcome Club on Saturday evening. Mr Nash wa; a guest of the club for tea, and was accompanied by the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr R.. M. Macfarlane, M.P.. and the Mayoress. Many executive members of the club also attended.

Mrs W.-F, Kent-Johnston welcomed the official party, and members of the executive, were introduced to the Minister, who was given a rousing reception from a big number of soldiers and airmen when he entered the dining room. Official representatives of the Army, and of the Royal New Zealand Air Force also sat at the official table.

Mr Macfarlane, drawing the Minister’s .attention to the fact that the club had just taken over its new premises, outlined some of the history of the movement and.paid high tribute to the part the club was playing in making visits to the city as pleasant as possible for members of all branches of the armed forces, He also warmly thanked those who helped in preparing. the- new rooms, particularly Mr HeatHcote .Helpiore, the club’s honorary architect, who. Mr Macfarlane said, had spent, many hours away from his own work to help the club. The Mayor also paid a warm tribute to Scheme 13 workers, who had been’engaged, on The renovations. They had demonstrated, he said, that when Scheme 13 men were given something they could put their hearts into they could do yeoman service. He also thanked Messrs Graham and Sons, who had undertaken the contract at hare cost, and the Tramway Patriotic Committee, whose task had been to find the finance for the job. There was long applause when Mr Macfarlane mentioned Mrs Kent-Johnston’s part in the development of the club.

The Right Spirit

_ “I. wish we could get in Government circles exactly the same spirit as you have here in the Welcome Club," Mr Nash said, “because, everything seems to be done for nothing and yet there is still the essential spirit behind that service. If we can only get that spirit, that desire to help freely and willingly for the sake of others, all our own troubles will be over in New Zealand, although we still, of course, would haVe the trouble now being faced so heroically overseas. The Welcome Club is an example to the rest of New Zealand. Ijdo not know any better example of the spirit that must inspire everyone in New Zealand if we are to face up to the titanic strugto be fought here and overseas. I know we will face 'up to that struggle The Government is doing its part, too, and I am sure that we all feel how. splendid it is that we can play our part ■in the struggle, as our men are. doing in England and in Egypt. “Tq the members of the armed forces I say that there is nothing that we can do to help you that we will not do. When the time comes for the supreme test; and when the morale of the;pedple is ; iable to stand up to the. test, as it-has done in the last fort-night-iu liondonj and'with a leader like Churchill to back up that morale, then this trouble, will; be sodn over. In the meantime, we ourselves will dp all we can,for you’ while you are away and endeavour to.make it even better for you; when- you return and - for those who come after you.” - ; Mr D.-W. Russell, the .president of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association], congratulated the Welcome Club oh its progress.; Hand in hand, with the Union Jack Club, the Welcome. Club saw to it that th<r boys of to-day had something the soldiers

of the last war did ; not enjoy. Major G. 11. Gray, M.C., spoke for the Commanding. Officer at- Bumham, Colonel S. D. Mason, and for the soldiers at the camp, thanking the club for the fine time given the men of the first three echelons. For the Air Force, Warrant Officer Duncan spoke, remarking that it was in the camps and on the air stations themselves that one heard the real expressions of appreciation of-what; was being done for the men. Mrs Kent-Johnston also spoke.; •