REAL PATRIOTISM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2631, 29 November 1915, Page 3

REAL PATRIOTISM

—« y.M.C.A. HALL BUILT IN ONE DAY. What must be regarded as a fine piece of work and organisation was accomplished by a team of carpenters, plumbers, etc., from Carterton, on Saturday at t'he Tauherenikau Camp. Mr. Varney, of tho local association, accompanied by Messrs. A. J. Parton and Arcus, of Carterton, visited tho camp ten days ago. and found:the Y.M.C.A. marquee levelled to tho ground by the Featnorsion breezes, whilst Sir. Parsonson, field service secretary, stood re-' grottfully, unable to render tlioso services to the soldier that the association stands for. Arrangements were being made for repairing the torn tents, when the Carterton residents decided that they could provide something better than a marquee. Mr. Arcus, a Carterton bujlder, considered that about £100 worth ot material would be necessary for the erection of a building 60ft. x 25ft. Plans wore discussed, and inside an hour, after consulting with Mr. Quinton Donald, it was decided to forgo ahead. '• Messrs. l'arton and Arcus opened a,: subscription list, which brought in £36,. and secured gifts of timber, etc., from the Wairarapa Sawmillers, C., E. Daniel, J. Coradine, Gardiner. Bros., Booth and Co.j and T. J. Rathbone. Saturday morning at 7.10 o'clock saw seven motor-cars loaded by.-Messrs. F. Feast, Broadbent, and Small, I. Borman, J. Hodder, J. Harp, W. Hy. Booth, and A. J. Parton leave Carterton with twenty-three carpenters l and plumbers, all of whom gave thoir services free—Messrs. L. Arcus, D. Read, R. Mutch, P. Neilson, H. Hayes, H. Hodder, W. King, W. Foster, I. Pike, V. Aston; Booth, W. Jamieson, W. Wadham, J. Hart/, C. Emsley, W. Gregor, Alf. King, W. Munday, E. A. King, J. Hart,' W. Duncan, S. Borman, with A. J. Parton in charge. Mr. T. S. Arcus, who drew the plans and worked exceedingly hard in connection with the whole scheme, was unfortunately absent through indisposition. Wort commenced at 8 o'clock—t'he ground was immediately cleared, the workman' organised into bands, and despite, wind and showers, work proceeded merrily to the music of the hammer and the saw. Through the courtesy of- the military authorities, tea and dinner were provided for the men, these occasioning the only breaks during tho day. Despite disadvantages, such as getting wet through twice, ana tho partly-erccted building being blown down by .the gale, the completed structure with the familiar red triangle, tho emblem of the Y.M.C.A., prominently displayed, was handed over completed to _ the Y.M.C.A. authorities at five o'clock. '

Through the assistance of Mr. Aleo. P.-Smitli, a member of the local board of ..directors, Messrs. W. H. Kersley (vice-chairman of the National' Committee), C. S. Falconer (treasurer of the local association), and .A. Varney (general secretary) made the journey over the Rimutakas in order to be present at the oompletion of the building, and to receive and open it on behalf of the Y.M.C.A.

Mr. Kersley, in the course of'his remarks, congratulated the men on their smart work. They had given their day's services freely and voluntarily on behalf- of a work intended ,to assist those wljo were sacrificing their all for us. He- mentioned - the association's work in England, on the Continent, in Egypt, and at Home,' especially referring to the' line work among the prisoners of war in Germany. He conveyed to the workmen and the donors the Y.M.C.A.'s deepest gratitude,' and believed that their whole-hearted service would mean much comfort to the soldiers. . Mr. A., . J.; Parton (Carterton) and Mr. E. E. ' 'Daniell ''(Masterton) briefly replied, after which Mr. Kersley declared the building open.Three hearty cheers wore accorded the workmen, who in ' eight hours', actual labour had erected such a fine, commodious hall. ... Y.M.C.A. work at Tauherenikau will now be able to be continued uninterruptedly in'the camp. The Wellington party also visited the' new camp, where, through iihe courtesy of the Public Works Department, tho Y.M.C.A. has opened a social and recreative centre for the carpenters and labourers in one of the commodious new dining halls..