SOLDIERS’ SOCIAL CLUB

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17263, 2 September 1916, Page 14

SOLDIERS’ SOCIAL CLUB

TO BE RUN BY WOMEN’S national RESERVE. ENTERTAINING MEN ON LEAVE. A special meeting of members' of the Women’s National Reserve was held at the rooms, Manchester Street, yesterday afternoon. Mrs W. Wood presided and fifty members were present. Mrs Wood explained that the meeting had beeii called to consider a proposal made by the Citizens’ Defence Corps that the Women’s National Reserve should undertake the management of the social club for soldiers on leave from the camps. Up to the present tho soldiers had nowhere to go for a quiet rest or to meet their comrades. In some eases tho men had insufficient time to reach their homes in tho distant parts of tho province. The Citizens’ Defence Corps had scoured suitable rooms in Cathedral Square near the Grand Theatre and the matter of making tho dub a success was left in the hands of tho Women’s National Reserve. The rooms wcuid be open all day and light refreshments would be served during the afternoon ana the evening. The closing time would bo not later than 10.30 p.m.

Continuing, Mrs Wood said she considered it auvisabio to liavo a paid attendant cm occasions when tncro were a largo number of soldiers on leave in Christchurch. On ordinary days two members of the. Reserve cmild take charge in the afternoon and two in the evening. A smail charge for refeshincnts had been considered, the price suggested being 3d in the afternoon and (id in the evening. As an alternative tho refreshments might be arranged on the same lines as was in force at tho Citizens’ .Defence Corps’ rooms for returned men, that was, free of charge to the men. Mrs Wood concluded by reading apologies for non-attendance from M.esdames G. E. Rhodes, Cook, Secretan and 11. Cotterill, each of whom expressed her willingness to help the social club in any way possible. A general discussion followed and eventually it was decided that refreshments should bo free to the men. Mrs Wood said that several incidental expenses would have to he met, such as salary to tho attendant, gas and so on.

Airs Beauchamp Lane suggested that a monthly subscription from members might meet tho case. Sovcrai members replied that so many peoplo were constant subscribers to the different war and patriotic funds that they might not tako kindly to the proposal. Airs 1). Hamber asked if it would not be possible to run the Citizens’ Defence Corps’ returned soldier club and the new social club together. Mrs Wood replied that the Citizens’ Defence Corps considered that the idea was impossible. Mrs Chilton said she had just returned from a visit to Wellington and had found that in that city it was a. great advantage both to returned men and to men leaving for tho front to have two separate clubs. The speaker suggested that tho members present should give a small donation to the new social club.

The suggestion was approved and a collection realised £0 17s. Airs Wood called for names of mombers willing to presido at tho rooms cither during the afternoon or the evening; Tho Reserve had a membership of f>oo and tho individual effort would not he great. Many names wore handed in. ami it was decided that a list should be drawn up and members informed of the date on which their services would be required. Airs Wood read a letter from the Mayor of Christchurch thanking the Reserve for the excellent work it had done during tho visit of the .Sixteenth Reinforcements to Christchurch. The speaker announced that a performance or “Cranford” would bo given next month in aid of the Reserve and the Social Club.

The offer was accepted with thanks and it was decided that members should assist in every way possible with the sale of tickets.