R.S.A. PREMISES APPEAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1942, Page 11

R.S.A. PREMISES APPEAL

GARDEN PARTY AT 'NGAROMA'

Yesterday afternoon a garden party to help the premises'appeal of the Wellington Returned Services Association was given at the residence of Mrs. Hope B. Gibbons, "Ngaroma," Lyall Bay." ■''..' •

The afternoon, was arranged by the National. Club's hospitality to soldiers committee, of which Mrs. f C. H. Weston is chairwoman, and by its women war workers, with Mrs. J. T. Martin as convener and assisted by Miss Bobbie Gibbons and some members of1 the Girls' National Union. About 250 guests availed themselves of the privilege of seeing: the beautiful grounds,

and bridge was played and tea was served in the various reception rooms.; Mrs. A. S. Moriey organised ■/& cake stall which; was very popular, and Mrs. J. T. Martin was responsible for an attractive flower corner.

Mrs. Weston thanked the guests fbr their contribution to the appeal. 'She stated that the present premises were in a rented building which the W.H.S.A. wished to purchase and be rent free. The building as it was was Unsuitable as offices, impossible and comfortless as a club, and unworthy of the splendid work done, by the R.S.A. in caring for the interests '-.ot. returned -men.: The returned men of 1918 wished to prepare a place for the returning men of the 2nd N.Z.E.F.; offices were heeded for the volume of relief work that unfortunately would be necessary in the future; comfortable, waiting rooms and a cafeteria were required for the returned men who would come to Wellington for remedial treatment, artificial limbs, and in connection with pensions. ' The men of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. would need a comfortable hall for reunions to keep vivid the binding friendships they, were fofging overseas today. The R.S.A. should oWn its premises, and those premises should be- worthy of their function. 7 . Mrs. Martin thanked, Mrs. Gibbons for her generosity, and said she knew the. cause was close to the hearts of all and that the appeal must: And a generous response. Men were already returning in numbers, and the work of the R.S.A. would be, increasingly onerous.