AMONG THE SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 126, 29 May 1915, Page 7

AMONG THE SOLDIERS

The reopening of the V.M.C.A. Hall at Trentham took place on Thursday. A large party from town made the journey, including the Right Hon. W. F. Massey. Mr. W. Allan presided. Mr. Mas3ey was received with most enthusiastic cheers by the crowded gathering of officers, including the Camp Commandant (Colonel Potter) and men. He referred to the splendid work of the association amongst the soldiers in all parts cf the Empire. His ambition was that in this time of stress our Dominion should lead the way in its assistance to the grand Old Motherland. Seventeen thousand men had already been sent overseas, and, although our resources were taxed to the utmost, we were willing to pay the price. He paid a fine tribute to the soldiers fighting pur battles in the Dardanelles, and considered that the fine body of men in camp would be not one whit behind their fellows at the front. He complimented the men on their acceptance of the hardships of the discipline of camp life, and trusted that they would take advantage of the fine building that had been erected for their convenience. Mr. Massey was cheei - ed to the echo on re» suming his sea,t. The Hon. J. G. W. Aitken thanked Mr. Massey on behalf of the association for assisting in the reopening ceremony, and called for cheers again for Mr. and Mrs. Massey, the latter of whom had worked so splendidly on behalf of the soldiers. A concert programme followed, and gave great delight to the crowd of men present The enlarged hall is 80ft by 60ft., with separate rooms for reading and writing, library, officers, and visitors.