NEW N.Z. CLUB IN LONDON

Southland Times, Issue 25533, 29 November 1944, Page 5

NEW N.Z. CLUB IN LONDON

PREMISES ACQUIRED IN WEST END (Official News Service) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27. New Zealand servicemen and women based in Britain are to have a new club in London. Premises have been acquired in Lowndes square in the West End and it is hoped that the Fernleaf Club will be opened for Christmas. The club will be managed by an officer of the expeditionary force and the staff will include 13 New Zealand girls, brought here from clubs in Egypt and Italy. The club means that New Zealanders now have sleeping accommodation at their own club as well as roomy dining and writing rooms and lounges. The need for such a club was recognized by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when he was in London and it was at his suggestion that Lady Freyberg and Colonel F. Waite, M.L.C., came here from Italy to look into the possibilities. Colonel Waite had no easy task finding a suitable building and obtaining labour and material, but ultimately he got authority to use six large houses which had been kept in reserve as emergency offices for one of the British service departments. As the houses are built side by side they form one large building of five floors which are inter-connected on the ground and second floors. The club will provide 150 beds. In addition to a dining room, there will be a snack bar giving continuous service of light refreshments and drinks during licensing hours. The club manager, Captain R. G. Sloan, is experienced in hotel management and will have voluntary helpers from New Zealand residents in London in addition to permanent staff, and Lady Freyberg will remain here as an official hostess. Nominally the club will be open to New Zealanders only but Australians will be regarded as “honorary New Zealanders” and other British forces may be admitted if accommodation is available. The club will also serve the needs of released prisoners of war from Germany and will not replace the existing forces club which will continue to operate as the city rendezvous.