THE VETERANS' HOME.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12185, 7 March 1908, Page 2

THE VETERANS' HOME.

To the Editor.

Sir, —l am making nu appeal with tbfi object of securing annual subscribers in aid of the Veterans' Home. Auculaud. This Home was established through the personal efforts made on its behalf by the Earl of Ranfurly. There .are now forty-three veterans in the Home, all happy, comfortable and content. I am enclosing herewith a copy of our last balance-sheet, by which you will see for yourselves the exact financial position of the Home, as on the JJOth of June Jast. Since that date £400 out of the last Parliamentary grant has been invested in Government, debentures, bearing 4 per cent. The position will always be a precarious one untilVsuch time as we gather a sufficient fund, the iocome from which will, together with the contributions received from ' the veterans, he .sufficient to maintain the Home. Meanwhile we have to rely upon subscribers and proceeds from entertainments to enable us to ensure the usual £ for £ subsidy from Parliament, without which we cannot hope to obtain it. For tko past three years we have received ,£IOO annualfy from tbe Soldiers' and Sailors 1 Help Society, of London. This contribution bas now ceased, and it ig in consequence of this fact, together *vith the fact that a number of our original subscribers have passed away or ceased to contribute, .that this appeal is now being made. The amount needed outside veterans' contributions, interest, etc., la about from £GOO to £700. The veterans contribute according to their pensions or income, from 2s 6a to 12s 6d per week. For this they are fed, clothed and found in tobacco. The Home is managed by a committee, of which lam chairman, without any expense to the Home. It is well and economically managed, and is a credit; to the Dominion and to those who so generously contribute^ to its establishment. In the Home there are many very old veterans, soaie of whom went through the Indian' Mutiny and the Crimean war. I therefore trust that you may see your way to help us with such, through the medium of your valuable paper. Our subscriptions vary from £1 Is to £10 10s. Thanking you in anticipation, I" remain, Yours faithfully, E. MITCH ELSON, Chairman and Hoc. Treasurer Veterans' Home. Auckland, March .'3rd.

Tho unusual incident, of a senior constable being accosted by two Customs officers and asked to submit to being searched was witnessed at Port Melbourne a few days ago. When they searched him they found about 51 bs of tobacco concealed in hi3 clothing.

Prof. Brander Matthews, in a Jeeturo on theatrical conventions, to'd the following story : — "A lttle gill had dramatised a sofa pillow into a, horse, and bad ridden on it to ber mother's knee. 'Horsy is thirsty, mamma,' she said. The mother brought a glass of water, but [ the little one carefully emptied it into a jardiniere before offering the glass toiler pillow. 'A peitended- horse ought to drink pretended water,' she remarked, gravely." L