A HOME FOR VETERANS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7239, 21 August 1902, Page 2

A HOME FOR VETERANS.

Lord Ranfurly's Proposals.

Discussion at Public Meeting in Masterton.

Tho public meeting convened by tho Mayor (Mr Hollings), last evening, in responso to un appeal by Hie Excelloncy tho Governor (Lord Itanfurly) for tho establishment of a Homo for Vetorans, was but sparsely attended. Several excellent suggestions were urged, however, on ita behalf, and —in the words of the Mayor—Mastorton will not bo found devoid of all practical help and sympathy in tho matter in tho end, if at present tho resources of tho community wore somewhat unusually and heavily taxed, Tho Mayor said ho had attended an cxecutivo meeting held for tho purpose in Wellington at which tho Governor personally' attendod in support of his scheme. They would nofcico that His Excellency had, since then, appeared on the public platform advocating the cause of the veterans —both military and naval —many of whom in their old age had neither homes nor adequate means of providing or earning tho means of livelihood. He (the speaker) considered it a noble effort of the Governor to interest himself in tho welfare of these needy veterans. He (the Governor) had visited them in their distress, knew every veteran in New Zealand —ovcr2oo0—by name, and where they lived, and where they had won distinction and earned their medals. That these men were worthy of the proposed scheme on their behalf, was proved in the way His Excellency had tasked himself to see it carried through successfully. The speaker hoped Masterton would rise to the occasion and do its share. Some day the brave men of this Colony, who fought so well in the recent South African War, would become veterans too. Further, he would like to see a fitting memorial erected in Masterton as well, and considering the public had generously subscribed v large sum of money, which as yet remained intact, to alleviate distress among troopers' families, and assist indigent or wounded troopers on their return from S. Africa, no objection could be well urged against devoting a proportion of such to assist both the Governor's and the local memorial. He would be quite agreeable to communicate with his fellow Trustees in whom the Patriotic Fund—amounting to between .£7OO and .CSOO— had been vested for subsequent legal disposal, as to calling a meeting of subscribers to consider the suggested diversion of the fund—allowance, of course, being made by reserving sullicient to compensate the few wounded troopers who had a legal and moral claim upon their consideration. The money was available and practically idle, and it remained for the trustees to say in which direction they were prepared to expend it.

Mr Morton entirely agreed with the Mayor's contention in the matter, and \va3 firmly of opinion that tbc money, so liberally subscribed by Mastcrton and district could not be better spent, seeing the purpose for which it was originally intended was practically embodied in the scheme now before them. Mr Vile was also of opinion that the funds should be administered to some such end, after allowing for direct claim in the matter of a very limited number of wounded troopers, but thought the subscribers in Eketahuna as well should be considered in the matter. Some difficulty had been experienced with the Tiustces of the Fund mentioned, in Trooper Young's case, during Mr PownaiL's term of office. The Mayor thought no better use could be made of the money than in making part of it a donation from the people who had so generously subscribed it, to the most laudable object that had been brought under notice in connection with the war outside of direct relief to wounded and invalided troopers. Subscription lists and printed circulars had been sent to the Mayors of the various towns, and he would gladly receive, acknowledge and forward on, any private individual donation on behalf of tbc Veterans' Homo and the scheme His Excellency had so nobly planned on their behalf. Others present also spoke in support of the Mayor's contentions. Mr Vile finally moved that tho Mayor communicate with the other Trustees interested, and ask their support and consent in calling a meeting of subscribers to the end indicated. Mr Aldridge seconded Mr Vilo's motion which was put and carried, all other matters under consideration to be held in abeyance meanwhile. A £200 or £'600 donation, it was thought, would adequately represent Masterton aud outlying districts, in so laudable a project. The meeting adjourned after the usual vote of thanks to tho chair.