James St. Location For New American Hospitality Centre

Northern Advocate, 19 January 1944, Page 5

James St. Location For New American Hospitality Centre

Although handicapped by the lack of a suitable office, since she arrived in Whangarei more than a month ago with the intention of starting a hospitality and information centre for United States soldiers on leave, Mrs Janet Worth, a member of the American Red Cross, has nevertheless accomplished much since her arrival and has been successful in compiling a list of every amusement offered by the town to visiting servicemen. Originally, Mrs Worth intended to secure an office in the Area 3 Army Headquarters building, but due to a change in plans, she was unable to do so, and during the last week, one of her tasks has been that of procuring a suitable office. Now that satisfactory premises for her centre have been secured in James Street, Mrs Worth intends to utilise her office without delay, and will open tomorrow’. Before securing her office, Mrs Worth operated from the Whangarei Hotel, and, speaking to a representative of the “Northern Advocate” today, she complimented the licensee and hotel staff for the generous and co-operative assistance she had received.

Billeting In Private Homes

Continuing, Mrs Worth stated that the response to her appeal to Whangarei residents to allow Americans to stay at private homes for the duration of their visit, had been distinctly encouraging but more offers were needed for troops arriving every day. Anyone who could assist her in this way, should contact her as soon as possible either at her office, or by telephoning 2152. Some Americans would much prefer to be taken into private homes as paying guests.. In addition, residents living on farms within a 15-mile radius of Whangarei, could assist by billeting Americans occasionally. Requests by soldiers for visits to farms were received regularly, and insufficient numbers had been supplied. Many servicemen wished to stay on farms for the duration of their visits to Whangarei so they could ride horses and enjoy general farm life. Sports Facilities More tennis equipment was required for the soldiers. Mrs Worth said, and any citizens wishing to lend l’acquets 1 or balls should contact her as soon as possible. Referring to the list of amusements which she had compiled since her arrival in Whangarei, Mrs Worth stated that she had addresses of the majority of sporting clubs in Whangarei, and the Americans were appreciative of the services these clubs were giving. To occupy evenings when there was no other amusement in the town, dances and other entertainments had been arranged and largely attended. To this end it had been planned that parties for American servicemen should take place every Sunday night in the Servicemen’s Hut, Rathbone Street. Concluding, Mrs Worth said she was grateful for the assistance which she was receiving from Whangarei and district residents.