HUTT VALLEY SOLDIERS HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 23, 15 November 1939, Page 5

HUTT VALLEY SOLDIERS HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE

v Many residents who had offered hospitality to the troops during the week-end 4th and sth November were disappointed, as many men were prevented from accepting on account of the prevalence of influenza at Trentham. For the same reason, hospitality was not required on Saturday, 11th, and Sunday, 12th instant. It is, however, hoped that a number of men will be glad to avail themselves of the hospitality during the coming week end, and Mrs. J. E. F. Vogel will be glad to receive the names of those who are prepared to assist.

The committee is anxious that organisations should consider the merits of the scheme and forward the names of those of their members who are willing to open their homes to soldiers during weekends.

The troop train from Trentham arrives at the Lower Railway Station at 1.45 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, and returns at 11.20 p.m., Saturdays, and 8.30 p.m., Sundays. It will assist materially if the men can be met at the station. Hosts are asked to advise Mrs. Vogel (telephone 63-994) or Mr. A. S. Kempthorne (telephone G3-1 SO) when they are able to entertain men. Many of the men in the Special Force at Trentham are from other parts of New Zealand and are without friends or relatives in Wellington; the idea is that residents in the Hutt Valley should make their homes available to these men and extend the hand of friendship so that the men may have some place to go during their leave periods. Night leave is not granted, so there is no question of having to provide all-night accommodation.

More than twenty homes are already available to the committee, and it is hoped that the lists of hosts may rapidly grow. Here is a great opportunity of doing a little quiet war work and at the same time make personal contact with the men who are risking everything in the cause of freedom.