SHELTER FOR UNEMPLOYED

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 6 September 1932, Page 7

SHELTER FOR UNEMPLOYED

HAWERA REST HOUSE. ADJUTANT MACKENZIE’S REPORT Adjutant Mackenzie, of the Salvation Army, reports that for the month of August 55 beds were supplied at the Hawera unemployed men’s shelter to 43 men on the road. One man, who was sick, stayed for five days, while several men who came in on Saturday nights rested all day on the Sunday, leaving on the Monday morning.

' he Adjutant never sends any man on the road on Sunday. Altogether there have been 150 beds and 328 meals supplied to men on the road. Each man is supplied with a hot tea and a hot breakfast and a good bed. The living room has a big open fireplace and is also well lighted and fairly well supplied with magazines (thanks to the Girl Guides). The men themselves see that the fire is kept burning. Last Saturday night there were four men in the rest house and two more arrived during Sunday afternoon, making six sleeping there on Sunday night, tlio youngest being a. bright young fellow of 19 years of age and the oldest an old man of 70. Quite a few young fellows have spent a couple of days at the shelter during which time they have been enabled to find work on farms. One young fellow (19 years of age) last week had been on the road for four months and had always been able to pay for what he got. At Stratford he sold his overcoat and arrived in Hawera penniless. He stayed two days in the shelter ai.d then found a job with a farmer within ten miles of Hawera at 10s per beck and found. He is doing well at his work and quite pleased with his job. The Red Cross, at the l opening of the shelter in June, donated half a cord of wood. This is now just about finished and the adjutant would be pleased to hear from any person wlio could donate half a cord of wood. Mr. Hardlev has kindly consented to cut firewood into 18-inch lengths. The adjutant would also like to hear of anv person wl: y coubj. send along a blanket or two, for when there are more Allan four men in one night the supply of blankets is not quite sufficient to meet the needs. Gifts of magazines of recent date will also bo appreciated at the shelter. The rest house, which has been generously supported by the Hawera Hospital Board and private citizens, is open to- inspection any time between 5.30'p.m. and 8 a.m.