SOLDIERS' HOSTEL

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 103, 3 May 1919, Page 9

SOLDIERS' HOSTEL

WORK OF WELLINGTON INSTITUTION t £10,000 REQUIRED TO CABBY ON. The annual report of the • board controlling the Wellington Soldiers' and Sailors' Hostel on The Terrace, was presented to1 a meeting of subscribers held last, evening. It stated that the new property had been purchased and temporarily adapted to its new use at a cost, of £8600. The work done by the institution, and the demand made upon its resources, proved that it was urgently needed. Tills need had been voiced by thfe Chairman of the War Relief Association, and endorsed by the Hon. W. H. Herries, chairman of the Repatriation Board. The movement was begun atthe request of the military authorities in 1915, and from tho. beginning hod the active support of the War Relief Association, which contributed £300 of the £1317 8s 9d received during the first year. The cessation of hostilities increased the work, since it hastened the return of men, many of them unable wholly to look after themselves, usually needing special care, diet, etc. In some cases, shell shock caused trouble of such 'a nature as rendered such a home absolutely necessary for these men. _ For the purpose of building and furnishing a suitable permanent home to accommodate about 100 men, the committee has in hand about £2000, and an addLucnsl £10,000 is required. Although the men were more or less disable;!, they were not completely incapacitated. Some were a.ble to engage in light occupations outside, and for those unable to do that, .workshops had been constructed, and certain classes of work . were being carried on, such as knitting, . spinning, basket-making, boot repairing, tent and sail mending, rope splicing, wire Eplicing, etc. A poultry farm had .been started. The men would derive the fu!! benefit of their labours, qnd their earn-ino-s, added.to their pensions, would enable them to live in comfort, and, at the same time, feel that they are self-sup-porting. Owing to various changes, the board of management was found, to be too small, and the number-waa increased to ten. Regret was expressed at the loss; of the late Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh; M.P., who was a member of the Board of Control. Captain Vine has been closely in touch with the management. The names of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Levvey, who have been good workers for tho institution, were submitted as life members.

A balance of £115 18s 3d was shown on the year's expenses, but the expenditure did not include wages, an item of over £400. Donations totalled £1403, and other money-raising efforts made a total of £12.687 18s lid The amount in hand is £2303 5s lOd, but as the expenditure exceeds the revenue yearly, this would soon be expended without some further means of raising money. Mr. M. Myers stated that the War Relief Association, the Red Cross, and the Repatriation Board had all promised assistance, but none was in a position to give a grant for a new building. An institution of the kind relieved the Government of some of its responsibilities, and therefore deserved help .from the Government.

The following officers were elected.: Board of Control, Sir Joseph Ward, Messrs. P. C. Watt (chairman),. M. Myers, J. H. HelHwell, G. S. Sykes, M.P., Major M'Christall, Captain Vine, and Mr. D. Stewart (treasurer); committee of management, Mrs. T. H. Lbwry (patron), Miss P. Myers (president), Mrs. A. F. Boden (hon. secretary), Mesdwnes Fletcher, W. J. Nathan, Kadcliffe, SopeLewis, Scott, J.. A. Hanan, G. W. Russell and Kennedy, Messrs. P. C. Watt, J. E. Mills, and B. Sutherland, Misses Dowdeswell and Bright. Committee representatives on the Board of Control, Miss P. Myers, Mrs. Boden, and Mrs. Scott. ■• '