AIR OF CHEERINESS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 225, 19 June 1931, Page 10

AIR OF CHEERINESS

New Men’s Shelter WORKING SMOOTHLY “All down on their luck, but 90 per cent, of an exceptionally decent type,” was the comment of the officer in charge of the new City Mission Men's Shelter yesterday on the class of men who, through force of circumstances, were compelled to seek aid. Shown through the premises at dinner time last evening, a “Dominion” reporter was impressed with the general air of cheeriness, the efficiency and cleanliness of the organisation, and the grateful demeanour of the men.

On the ground floor of the two-storied structure, the central portion has been fitted out as a dining-room, while at the sides there have been erected a commodious kitchen, a large room in which have been installed porcelain baths, showers, and wash-basins, and a room with settees for resting. Offices and quarters for the officer in charge have also been provided Last evening there -were 130 men in for dinner, which was a generous one of three courses, consisting of soup, roast beef, swedes, and potatoes, . and bread and butter pudding. Waiting on the tobies and assisting in the kitchen are men who are seeking relief, but in return for their services they are given their meals free. The whole of the organisation is carried on in like manner, by voluntary labour. Upstairs, which is used as a large dormitory, several men, mainly the younger ones, have been picked out to supervise. They have their beds in one corner of the room, and are in .charge by turns. There are now 110 beds in the dormitory, though there is room for plenty more. Everything is scrupulously clean. After a week’s operation, the whole organisation appears to be working extremely smoothly, and the men are exceedingly well cared for. There 'is a large proportion of young men—under 20 years of age—who are not eligible to obtain relief under the No. 5 scheme, which the mission is earing for. “I never turn away a young chap who is down on his luck,” said the missioner, Rev. T. Feilden Taylor. Doubtless, if a return were taken of the various trades and professions to which the present men in the shelter once belonged, it would surprise many. Of course it has not been possible to make such inquiries, but occasionally a word or two of a man’s past leaks out, and the officer commanding mentioned that under his care he had to his knowledge a qualified lawyer, and a sergeant-major of the Imperial Army with a distinguished record. “The public has responded wonderfully to our appeal,” said the officer-in-charge last evening, “but we still have further calls to make, particularly in the way of bedsteads, towels, sheeting, pillow-slips, crockery, and fresh vegetables. We would be very grateful for all types of men’s clothing.” He explained that approximately half the men came on orders from the Charitable Aid Board, and from responsible citizens, who would reimburse the mission at the rate of 9d. a meal and 9d. for bed. Even if every person receiving help paid 2/3 a day, the shelter would not nay its way, and with a gross expenditure in the vicinity of £6O a week, they were fairly hard-pressed for cash.