TRAMPS’ HOSTEL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 March 1926, Page 8

TRAMPS’ HOSTEL.

BUN BY MONKS. BILLIARDS, BADMINTON COURT AND CONCERT HALL. Shut in by the Dorest hills, and oi an almost mediaeval remoteness from the ordinary affairs of men, is a unique little colony controlled by Franciscan lirothers, writes a correspondent of the London Daily Chronicle. Here, at Batsoombe, is a hostel for tramps, where wayfarers are lodged and fed, given a good suit, and, best of all, a help towards a new start in life. . There is a concert hall, a badminton court, a billiard table, and a library. Recently Weymouthßotarians, journeyed through hills and dales to Batcombe and dined with the tramps. There they regaled these lonely wayfarers to a meal of meat, plum pudding, mince pies and other delicacies which have no part in the ordinary diet of the man on the road, or a “Wayfaring Brother,” as lie is called, when he takes up residence at this home of St. Francis. - Coming from noisy thoroughfares into this secluded 1 retreat gave one an impression of going back into almost feudal times. This impression was heightened when we were greeted by the warden, Brother Douglas Downes, wearing long, flowing robes. The homo is scrupulously clean, but sparseiy furnished, and it appears to be a. veritable hive of industry. There is a printing press, on which the tramps print their own magazine. We sat down to our meal at two long tables, the tramps, Rotarians and permanent officials mingling indiscriminately. * . There men did not answer to my usual conception of tramps. One confessed that lie had been a farmer; another had been an officer in the Gurkhas ; while a third had received a University education at Oxford, and was once a master at a well-known school. . , From conversation with the man who sat on my right I gained the impression that he must have been a doctor, as lie revealed an extraordmai y knowledge of bacteriology. The man on my left volunteered, no information until he was drawn into religious discussion, when lie spoke so authoritatively on matters of theology that I wondered what happened to down-and-out clergy . i - The home of St. Francis was founded in 1921 for rescue work among tramps, and the residents work hard and I] . ve with spartan simplicity. Industries include market gardening, hand weaving mat making and basket making. The Rotarians afterwards entertained the tramps at a concert, .and recen ed touching expressions of thanks. Brother Ohartens, an old man oi seventy, said they appreciated the interest ‘shown in them even more than the entertainment provided. Batoombe is an ideal spot for a ies. cure and there is accommodation loi guests who will pay for maintenance and she in the common life of tlic home. .