SOLDIERS’ HOSTEL

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12251, 24 September 1925, Page 9

SOLDIERS’ HOSTEL

NEW WING OPENED INTERESTING CEREMONY ON TERRACE GOOD WORK COMES TO FRUITION For many years the committee of women responsible for the establishment and carrying on of a hostel for returned soldiers have been working away quietly and unostentatiously in our midst without many knowing just what fine work wa« being done. But just the same, many thousands of ex-eoldiers have been (housed and fed at this hostelry when they could not obtain board and lodging, and many of those not ill enough for hospital yet requiring care and comfort have received it. at the hands of the matron and her staff. The hostel, which is situated on Wellington Terrace, began at Newtown, until by the aid arid a number of public-spirited citizens, and specially Mr Sutherland, who ran a very big art union for it, the present property was bought. Even after that the committee had a great struggle to keep the place going year after year, and to keen it in repair, the house being old and the garden large, but they have managed to do so. Recently they were able to sell half the property, witn the result that they have been enabled to carry out some much-needed additions and improvements, and to form a fund which will bring in a regular income, for although a small charge is made at the hostel, this is not enough to keep it running, and in former years, more especially, there have been many men who have been unable to pay, and vet required the care to which oy their services to their country they are entitled.

A VALUABLE ADDITION These additions 'have taken some time, but arc now complete, and yesterday they were formally opened for the use of the men. The part added is on the right of the house and over the main drive-way, and consists upstairs of ten more bedrooms, all nice and airy, and. commanding from the .front a good view of the town and part of the harbour. Downstairs there is a largo new sitting-room and a billiard-room, which will bo a great asset to the place. A billiard. table is already a possession, but previously there was only one room for both purposes. The new wing will take the place of the annexe which, had been built in the garden, and which will now be used ns store-house, etc., so that the extensions provide a very useful addition, as well as increasing the accommodation. In opening the new wing last evening it was decided to 'have a little celebration by the men who-had used the hostel, and a number of them, some with their wives, were the guest 3 of the committee to dinner, which was laid at the long table lengthened for the occasion in the dining-room. Spring flowers decorated it, and a regular "Christmas" dinner was served, members of the. committee assisting in looking .after their guesteColonel G. Hall, president of the Returned Soldiers' Association, was chairman, and snoke to the men, and Colonel T. W. MacDonald also, while Mr Pascoe, a member of the board, and Mr Sutherland, to whom much of the raising of the moftev to purchase the property originally was due, were also- guests. Later in the evening Sir John (Luke attended, und spoke to the assembled company. SPLENDID SERVICE In speaking all mentioned the work of the. secretary, Mrs Boden, ito whose unfailing attention the whole success of the hostel has been due. Mrs Boden fust conceived the idea of establishing a hostel, and never ceased to work until it was an accomplished fact. She has continued as secretary all tihese years, and the main burden of the work still rests on her shoulders. Other friends were recalled—Sir Joseph Ward, who was one of the first board; Mr and Mr 3 Levvey. who both worked on the committee; the Min. Mr Russell, who save every help and sympathy during the years of its establishment; Miss F. Myers, Mfs Scott, and Mrs Moore, who have been chairmen for the committee of ntaimgement, the last-named holding that position to-day; Mrs Lowry, of Hawke’s Bay, and many other good friends of the hostel, not forgetting the matron. All were recalled with gratitude by the present committee. and especially the late Mrs MacDonald, after whom the new wing i 6 called. After the dinner and speeches, the guests assembled in the billianL-room (not yet furnished with its table)* and dancing took place and some singing, the evening ending with a very happy party. Mrs Moore and Mrs Boden were present and helped, also were Mrs Irwin, Mrs Cross, Mrs Preston, Miss Bright, and Miss M. McGregor, members of the board.