A SOLDIER IN LONDON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14571, 5 April 1918, Page 4

A SOLDIER IN LONDON.

THE CLUB IN RUSSELL SQUARE 1 . Writing from the New Zealand Soldiers' Club m Russell Square. London, Private IF. Carson, who Jeft this country with the 14ths, has a word of interest concerning London and the club there. The letter is dated January 31, and runs: "This scrawl is? written not 'Soinewhero m France,' but m London, about six storeys above the pavement. It is useless for me to attempt tt> describe the show. but. of course, it beats eveiything I have ever seen. Last night there was an air raid, and the streets were soon deserted, though the Hun planes did not get past the defence^ of the city. My word, you should have seen the spectacle — deserted streets with long rows of huge buildings looming up through the mist, and the boom of the anti-aircraft guns echoing along the empty roads. But we 'soldiers' didn't care, for were we not on our first day's leave, and the risk was nothing at all compared to what is taken every day m that 'beautiful' country, France." Then he speaks of tlie club m this strain: "Imagine me climbing out ot clean, white sheets, at 11.30 m the morning. The club is a very decent organisation, and what one cannot get there he needs not. Hot baths always on. and changes of underclothes. In fact, one gets there all tho modern comforts obtainable at the best hotels. Meals, too, are always on, served by the most obliging and capable* young ladies. There is a billiard-room, music-room, and every other convenience, and one can glance out of the window on to the hasty streets far beloAr, or gaze at rows of buildings the like of which ne has never seen before. Truly, it is well named 'Mighty London,' "