FOR OUR SOLDIERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1016, 19 November 1917, Page 5

FOR OUR SOLDIERS.

THE ANZAC CLUB,

BUILDING ALMOST COMPLETED,

One of the early suggestions put forward locally for the benefit of our returned soldiers was the establishment of a permanent club where tin- men could_ loregather for social intercourse with their comrades and friends. The idea was mooted nearly two years ago, and on the evening of December 31, 1915, Sir James Carroll and Mr A. L. 1). Fraser, of Hawke's Bay, _ addressed a largely attended meeting in the Opera House in support of the project,_ As a result, the scheme was enthusiastically taken up, a committee appointed, and temporary premishes wore in the Opera House, which were suitably fitted up, and have been utilised as a club ever since, fulfilling the purpose both as regards returned men and reinforcements passing through the town, as well as the troops in camp from time to time at Awapuni, The desire of the An/ac Committee, however,_ was to secure a permanent building, for which purpose donations came freely to hand. Six months after the project had been launched (in Julv, 1916). Mr P. A Mcllardy, with a fine sense of patriotic generosity, made n gift in support of the scheme of his section at the corner of Cuba and George streets to the Patriotic Society and An/ac Committee, the property being eventually disposed of bv art union in aidof tec clul). This proved highly successful, and after accounts had been adjusted it was ascot - t,-fined that the funds wore sufficient to put. the construction under way. tin; committee wisely arranging for tin* retention of the property as a site for the club. *he designing of the building was placed m the hands of Messrs L. G. West and Son who drew plans for a four-storeyed building with , a series of shops on the ground floor, but this scheme was modified later, and a two-storeyed structure was finally decided upon. The contract was let. in due course, and the club is now receiving the finishing touches and will be ready for occupation in a week or two. THE BUILDING.

T!ii‘ building, which lias a of 50 feet on Cuba street and 66 on George street, has a substantial well-built appearance, and if a welcome addition to that quarter of the town. The front elevation shows a design in line Doric tollonado ot the double order, finished off with a root mg of French tiles. The walls are of brick, and the construction fireproof throughout. The main entrance is in George street, where an eight-foot hallway reaches all the rooms on the ground floor. On the left is the billiard robin, 33fi by 33ft which will accommodate two tables, and when ie* quired muv lie heated bv means of radiators. The walls arc 12ft, giving a lofty, airv appearance,, whilst the ceilings are niceiv relieved with wood panne ling, the other rooms on this floor are the reading room 33ft bv 15ft, writing room 24tl by 18ft, office 20ft by 10ft, and parcels room 10ft bv 10ft. In addition, there are lavatories.'etc., and in the basement the boilers are located for supplying the hot water service and other heating arrangement-.. A concrete stairway leads up from the hal to the first floor, where the principal apartment is the social hall. This measures 48ft bv 38ft, and it is thoroughly up-to-date in its'apiKiintmenls. being provided with a wood spring floor over the concrete floor for dancing purposes, and there are ample lighting and heating arrangements. the ceiling has been tastefully finished oft v,i*ii a pretty steel design, and altogether the hall has a roomy and handsome appearance. From the hall entrance may bo gained to the 12ft balcony which extend, runinl boll, fronts of the building, 70ft of which is enclosed, and may bp used as a louu-e or ante-rooms, convenient to the hall are the kitchen and refresh merit corns Uo former measuring l-ht by eait. This department has. been equipped with the latest labour-saving devices foi the quick and economical preparation of me.ib ■!ml refresh incuts, and the patent decolltc flooring is an innovation that will beapureci'U’d bv those whose labours lay in his quarter. There is generous provision or ladies’ cloak room, bath rooms and lavatmh-s, the general appointments being . .VdalJ in all respects. Ilm bulking ...’ill i„ ( Ijir'uted by gas, but a wiring system Ins also been put through the structure, for an electric installation at any future turn. The foundations and walls have bit - stantialiy constructed, and will suppolt anr in ‘. useful mission in the community. '"I t Al.l Si toM... «*,*» “l 1 ! 1 .1 . 1,. . i M w,n largely provided for by from tho balance of the funds i1, .{ , “0f i ;r the contractors, w;ere Messrs .A. Chrk and Co., who carried out the paint Claik ana c ' r (j West and bon deigned 'the building and superintended its • construction.