A BIG UNDERTAKING

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 271, 21 August 1925, Page 10

A BIG UNDERTAKING

SHORE ACCOMMODATION FOR OUR SAILOR GUESTS It is difficult to gauge the extensiveness of the arrangements that have been made by the Government for the billeting of many hundreds of men from the American warships in port when they receive shore leave. The big U shed of the Harbour Board, skirting the railway wharf, has been turned into a giant bedroom containing over a thousand beds all adorned with clean white trappings bearing the U.S.S. Company’s house badge. There are accommodated in this shed nightly between 750 and 800 men and on Saturday night last 1,100 beds were provided. The general arrangement of the accommodation provided for the men in the shed and that made for them in the cafetaria (in Alessrs Wright, Stephenson’s building), and in the Y.AI.C.A. building in Willis Street was enthusiastically commented on by the Alinister of Internal Affairs (Hon. R. F. Bollard) who with Air. J. Hislop (Undersecretary Internal Affairs) and Air. J. L. Hay (Secretary Y.A1.C..A.) made an inspection of the three buildings last evening. “The sailor ashore,” said Mr. Bollard to a reporter, “cannot help being pleased with tlie. excellent anrangements made for his comfort. A visit, whether to the U shed, where the men sleep, bath and breakfast, or to the cafetaria and the Y.AI.C.A. building, where they get their meals, read the papers and write their letters, should convince anybody that the men are well cared for. In my visit tonight to the institution—for they are reallv institutions—several of the men with'whom I had a talk were very appreciative in their acknowledgment of the provision made for them. . . . Air. Bollard said he had nothing but praise to give to the Y.AI.C.A. authorities for the great aid the organisation had given to the Government in the task of providing for the men ashore. “I had previous experience,” he . remarked, “of this body’s work in Wellington when the British ships were here. They had a larger undertaking this time because of the number of men to be dealt with, and, in my opinion, they have eclinsed all previous efforts. There is a large number of young fellows, mostly, I am told, State servants, who lodge'in a Y.AI.C.A. institution, whose work in the interests of the sailors deserves praise. Thev are on duty in. the buildings accommodating the sailors until midnight; they are back again at 6 a.m. to give the men breakfast, and 8.30 sees them .at their desks in the Government Buildings ready for their dav’s work. The enthusiasm they show jti their work, which is voluntary, is certainly great.”