VETERANS’ HOME

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 169, 5 April 1923, Page 8

VETERANS’ HOME

TO BE ERECTED IN WELLINGTON ’ SALE OF PROPERTY ON THE TERRACE

It is tho intention of the board of control of the Soldiers’ Hoste! immediately to place about one-half of their valuable property on Wellington Terraco on the market, and to proceed to the erection of a veterans’ hostel, which will be a credit to the city and to the Dominion.

It is a far cry now to the days when New Zealand soldiers were returning from them first taste of "ar s fury, but it is necessary to go bac to them to realise that what is now practically a national institutioni, was built up by a small bodv of M ellin ton ■ citizens. Those citizens banded together, to make the days of the returned men brighter, to comfort and look after them, and to give them a hostel, which might take the place of home for the time being. lie soldiers were very thankful tor tne comfort and sympathy that were always extended to them by those m charge. The Langham Private Hotel, Newtown, was the scene of the arduous task of these citizens, but to them it was a self-imposed task of duty. It was not long before they realised that larger and more central premises would have to be procured, to meet the growing demands. The hostel on "Wellington Terrace was purchased, and, by dint of hard work and generous support, it is an unencumbered property. It embraces over an acre of the most centrally situated residential land in the city, Mr. W. J. W. Pascoe, chairman of the board of control informed a Dominion reporter yesterday that, it Is the intention of the board immediately to place about one-half of tlie section on the market. The land has a frontage of approximately 60 to 66 feet, and a depth of 330 feet, and commands an uninterrupted view of tho harbour. Two substantial offers have already been made for the site. IE is proposed, after tho sale, to commence negotiations for tho erection of a veteran’s hostel, which will be a credit to tho citv and to the Dominion, where ex-soldiers and sailors will feel at all times that they arc •it home and amongst friends. Last year, added Mr. Pascoe, 8490 beds, and 25,062 meals were provided at tho hostel, compared with 11,816 beds and 35,551 meals during the previous year. The falling off wns due to a number of men accepting jobs in tho country.