PENSIONERS PETITION IN AN ENDEAVOUR TO RETAIN REST ROOM

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 September 1946, Page 4

PENSIONERS PETITION IN AN ENDEAVOUR TO RETAIN REST ROOM

“We, the undersigned, are desirous that the premises known as the Old Folks' Rest. Rooms, remain in the occupation of the Wanganui branch of the New Zealand Pensioners’ Association, Inc., and request mat you grant, to them a lease for four years on the terms as stated in the original lease held by the previous lessee.” The above petition was passed as suitable to place before the authorities concerned, at a special meeting of the Wanganui Pensioners’ Association yesterday, called to protest against the pending loss of the room in Ridgway Street now occupied by them as a social meeting place for aged people. Mr. W. D. Ayson presided. The meeting was of lhe unanimous opinion that. everything possible should be done to retain the premises for the use to which they are at present being put.

The premises have been leased to. a returned serviceman in which to set up in business as a retailer of crockery, china and sporting goods.. Mr. lan Corby, the returned serviceman in question, attended the meeting in person, and explained his position. He said I hat he had made efforts to obtain alternative accommodation for the old people. A room could have been had further along in Ridgway Si reel, but the only embargo on it was that they could not hold singsongs in it. Another room could have been had in Guyton Street, but this was upstairs and therefore nut acceptable. Mr. Corby is still willing to try and find alternative accommodation and any help in that direction would be appreciated.

The meeting thanked Mr. Corby for his information and passed a vole of thanks to him for attending and explaining his position. The petition was then drawn up and will be presented to the owners