THE VETERANS' HOME.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 25, 24 October 1907, Page 5

THE VETERANS' HOME.

: A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The annual report of. the-Superintendent of the Veterans' Homo at Auckland has been preso'nted to tho Hoard of Governors, and discloses-a very satisfactory position; - ■ Tho avorago number of veterans in tho;institution, during tho past year was forty, arid;accommodation .for t-.vo. additional veterans lias been provided. The annual subscriptions wcro not quite so numerous as in the provious year,, but, owing to tho invaluablo efforts of Mrs. AVigram, tho sum of £262 was collected in Cbristchui-ch, ,and assured a. successful, year. Tho Government gave'a subsidy of £ for £ up to £500 on voluntary contributions during tho year. Many'of tho veterans aro in receipt of special campaign and , other pensions, and luvyo contributed in proportion to their moans towards their own'maintenance. Tho establishment is conducted L 6h, the lines/of a comfortable Home. Tho invested funds have been increased during tho past year from £6200 to £6900. The land, buildings, and furniture , are all paid for. ' Tho clergy,, of different denominations most kindly hold services at the Home,'and medical men mo.st generously givo the, inmates' tho bohefit of tlioir skill frco of'cost. Tho legal business also has been dono gratuitously. _.■•.

; It. is interesting to note that; amongst tho I veterans in the Homo aro men who served at the siege of Aero in 1840, in the New Zealand wars'from 1845' onwards; in Burmah in 1852, in .tho .Crimea and the Baltic, in 1854, in'the' Indian Mutiny in 1857, in Ashanti, ■Afghanistan,, and-'Egypt. The'average cost of maintenance per resident is 12s. 4Jd. per week, and as that sum includes uniforms, clothing,• footwear, itobacco, etc., it is a proof of tho careful administration of tho superintendent, and the oxoellent direction of tho Auckland Committee. The Board is most anxious to; double the amount of tho invested funds, so as to place tho institution in an absolutely independent position, and to ensure a Home in'their declining years for dosorving .tho'ughi-poor soldiers and sailors of the Empire living in the Dominion, most of whom in the future will bo Now Zoalanddrs. Air appeal is now mado to tho public to help those endeavours,' and the .Governors hope 'that"many, of'those'who could contribute a few pounds annually without missing tho imm'uy will assist in such a good cause. .■When war commences -wo are very proud of our bravo defenders, and surely in tho days of their old age, and adversity wo. should-still remombor them with gratitude.'- •