WAYSIDE CLUB

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 275, 16 August 1932, Page 10

WAYSIDE CLUB

Where Workless Men Forgather FINE SOCIAL EFFORT There is an organisation in Dixon Street which is doing an excellent work among a large body of between 200 and 300 unemployed. It came into existence toward the end of last year, and its good work still continues. . Its founder’s aim was to get hold of workless men and make some provision for them in the way of shelter, food, and amusement until such time as they could find work, and to keep them from linking- up with organisations which do not stand for good and law-abiding citizenship. The Wayside Club was founded for this purpose, obtaining a suite of rooms in a building at 03 Dixon Street. There are a canteen, library, card and games rooms, with an office for the secretary, which is also used as an employment bureau where the names of those who desire to register are entered. Not Quite Self-supporting. Meals are provided, not elaborate, ■ certainly, but for a modest penny the member obtains a cup of tea, a good solid sandwich or a couple of buns. Thus the members make some contribution toward the finance required, and the balance is made up from funds subscribed by the public. There are about 30 businessmen who give 1/- a week each, while some have given a straightout donation. It- costs a little over £3 a, week to keep the club going, and the contributions of the members are not quite enough to balance the budget. For the want of a few shillings a week it would be a thousand pities to see the club close down. There are no rules governing membership of the Wayside Club. Any unemployed man is eligible so long as he behaves decently. There has never been any disturbance since the club opened its doors. ■ There were 150 to 200 men there yesterday, reading or playing games. Even a Chess Club has been formed and has challenged other clubs with a fair amount of success. Some of the chess boards, however, have seen their best. days. Although the members are down on their luck, there is the look of resolve on their faces. Eager for Work. As soon as a job is offered there is no dearth of men to take it and do it properly. The club ' provides them with shelter during the day; The canteen is in charge of a couple of men who are not capable of physical work, and they keep it spotlessly clean. The trouble at times is to have a stock of sandwiches or buns on hand when the demand suddenly increases, which generally coincides with a bad break in the weather; then purchases have to be made out of the meagre funds. Tradesmen have been generous in donations of meat, bread, and cakes, but when , it is realised that from 800 to 400 meals a day are served the magnitude of the undertaking becomes apparent. One of the men has a barber’s shop in the club, where he cuts hair at 4d a head. Lectures are given each week-end by professors from the University and others, and on Sunday about 120 were present, when Dr. I. Henning gave an address on “France.” The secretary, Mr. E. J. McDonald, will be glad to show round the club any visitors who are interested, and will also be grateful for any donations to carry on the work. The telephone number is 52—809.