A "CASUAL" VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 121, 18 November 1931, Page 13

A "CASUAL" VISIT

WORK AMONG CASUALS

A casual visit to the Taranaki Street Mission discloses many matters of interest. On the one side of the road at the new premises there are the offices, where an important boy keeps the door of the missioner and the superintendent of the "Shelter Over the Boad," and introduces one applicant at a time, so that order and privacy are assured. These applicants come for work, for help, for sheUer, and many other causes, and each case receives brief and kindly consideration, though there is little time for "trimmings." In the big hall there are long tables, where the members of the Mothers' Club sit sewing, repairing, and re-mak-ing garments to fit them for the perpetual "jumble sale-" which is always going on in a front position, or for giving away to those who cannot pay anything. There is the boys' elubroom, and the girls' (which has a number of sofas for resting tired girlish backs), and both rooms have appliances ■ for games and amusements. There is a library, a "soft drinks," etc., department, and a, quiet and orderly chapel, which already has memorial brasses to a number of friends who have passed over ■ the narrow stream called Death." Boys, girls, men and women are all there, many glad to have some occupation in helping others while waiting for' paid work, and the young ones, sure of their welcome, smile at the visitor, sure of their reception where all are so kind.

Over tho road it was marvellous to see what organisation and thought will do in providing for anything from 150 to 200 "casual men" each day. Meals on a huge scale, but appetising, the boiler said to be "the largest south of tho Line," filled with puddings, sauce for which was being carefully stirred in an equally huge saucepan; joints of meat, and boilers full of potatoes and onions, all of the best. The big storeroom showed several sheep hung up ready for jointing up, mutton hams, 'and dozens and dozens of loaves. 'J.he store-room for smaller goods, tea, sugar, and sueh-likc, looked as if it might with advantage be replenished. If some of those interested in tho work had regular "pound" meetings when tea, cocoa, baking powder, sugar, pepper, salt, butter, and all such materials could be gathered together with dried fruits, it would be a good help in keeping the small store well replenished.

To keep a few hundred beds clean and fresh, and groat premises, including a mezzanine floor, all clean and wholesome, is indeed a task, and Mr. Hamilton, whose work ib is to superintend everything and who works enthusiastically with tlio uiissioner, finds that the days are not long enough to accomplish everything, and both work on well into the night without any regard to "labour laws!" Wonderful people and wonderful work, well worlliy of the support that is given by Wellington citizens.