HOSTEL FOR RETURNED MEN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 204, 26 May 1936, Page 5

HOSTEL FOR RETURNED MEN

4 Society’s Annual Meeting The annual meeting of the Wellington Hostel for Returned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Society, adjourned from April 25 last, was held last night, the president. Mrs. E. .1. Moore, J. 8., presiding. The annual report, which was adopted, stated that the society was almost at the end of its liquid assets, having only sufficient left to carry on for a lew months without an overdraft, and one had been arranged for, if necessary. During the year ending March 31 last, continued the report, 15,773 meals and 13,162 beds were supplied by the society. Of these, 12,592 meals were paid for; free beds numbering :>14() and 9091 free meals were supplied. Expenditure amounted to £2753/19/3, and receipts to £lll4/19/7, a loss of £1639/0/8. This loss was more than £5OO less than the previous year’s loss. "The improved position,” said the report, "is mostly due to the falling off of tlie number"of meals supplied to outsiders now" work is more plentiful, also the reduction in wages list—men being made to work for their board when without funds.We find that some men endeavour to hide the fact that they have been granted a "burnt-out pension” which, with , their sustenance allowance, amounts to about 30/- per week. Hence a new scale of charges has been set up.” The resignation of Mrs. A. F. Boden, M.BlltL,'from the position of hon. secretary, was accepted with "the very deepest regret.” Mrs. Boden’s step was taken on medical advice. She had previously tendered her resignation, but members of the board of control refused to accept it. Mrs. Boden still retains her place on the board of control. Eulogistic references were made to Mrs. Boden’s great work on behalf of the society. Without her efforts the society could not possibly have continued with its work. Throughout the twenty years of its existence she had been the life and soul of the society. An appeal is being made for funds to enable the work of the society to be carried on.

The following were elected die officers for the ensuing year:—Hon. secretary, Miss J. Fitchett; hon, treasurer, Mr. T. K. Lear; auditors. Messrs, Clarke, Menzies, Griffin, and Ross.