THE SOLDIERS' XMAS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2653, 27 December 1915, Page 6

THE SOLDIERS' XMAS

HOSPITALITY OF THE CITY

SCARCITY OF SLEEPING QUARTERS.

The lcliaki uniforms of soldiers were prominent in the crowds in the City oil Christinas Evo, and 011 Christmas Day and yesterday soldiers ivere in evidence in Wellington and the suburbs. All told there were about 7000 soldiers in the City on leave, including 5500 from Fc-atherston and May Morn, about 1000 from Tauherenikau, and a number ot men of the rifle battalions who are 011 their extended leave from Rangiotu Camp. -The question of the entertaining of those men who were strangers to Wellington and without friends here was taken in hand early, and of the thousands of men who returned to camp last night there were few who. had not spent 11 merry Christmas. Many ot them, however, had had great difficulty in finding beds. One large private hotel had to turn away 150 soldiers, who asked for accommodation on Saturday night, and there were other instances of a similar kind. Some secured, sleeping quarters in private boarding-houses, and others spent the night in the ojjen, the warm weather making the conditions less uncomfortable than they might have been. A suggestion has been made that if similar leave is granted to the men at the New Year, some arrangements might be made for billeting them by citizeni.

The City's Hospitality. The City Council, at the suggestion ot the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), arrangedfor the Town Hall to be open during Christmas Day, and to provide a counter luncheon and other light refreshments. The carrying out'of the City's hospitality was in the hands of the Mayor ana Mayoress, who had a band of over fifty ladies and gentlemen to assist them, in the main hall .■ and Concert Chamber numbers of small tables were set out, and the halls were appropriately decorated. The fare provided consisted ot cold meats of several kinds, salads, tea and cakes, bread and- butter, and tobacco and cigarettes. Some idea ot the quantity required may be had when it is stated that 500 loaves of bread were , consumed. ■ Shortly before ten. o'clock J in the forenoon the soldiers began to ar--1 rive, aud during the day they made the Town Hall a rallying place in their rambles about the City. As midday ap-. proaclied the number of guests increased considerably,' and it is estimated that over 3000 men had luncheon there. In the afternoon tho tables were well filled most of the time, and enormous quantities of tea were consumed. As a result ot this big attendance the work in the kitchen was very heavy, and the Mayor and Mayoress, who were at tho Town Hall from 10 a.m. till 10.30 p.m. with the exception of a brief period during which they paid a Christmas' visit to the Hospital,' expressed their appreciation of the splendid .efforts of their helpers, who worked right up till halfpast ten at f night. The pianos in the halls .• were m request throughout* the day, _ the programmes being made up of items from some of the soldiers. . , . ' During the days beginnnig with Christmas' Eve the Soldiers' Boom in Sydney Street attracted thousands of soldiers, and the great usefulness of the institution was demonstrated even more than ever. 011 Friday lunch was provided for the soldiers, m addition to tea and supper, and again on Saturday and Sunday. <On .the lastmentioned day it- is estimated-that fully a thousand must have been entertained at lunch. To-day and to-morrow lunch will again be provided, as well as the usual meals, tea and supper. For the evening a musical programme has been arranged, and there will also be dancing for those who wish for it., Tho city and suburban tram services were well patronised, as well as th» ferries across the harbour. Many of the soldiers were the guests of citizens at their private houses, and a number spent Christmas at their own homes. Altogether, with fine weather' and the hospitality extended to them, the men enjoyed themselves. One m&n stated that, in spite of the difficulty about sleeping quarters, he had heard none complain of not spending a merry Christmas.

Steaming the Puddings, 'As is already known, the puddings for tlie Christmas dinners which were held at Trentham and May Morn, were made by the Mayoress and her helpers, and boiled at the works of the Wellington Meat Export Company. It was desired, of course, Jjp serve the puddines hot, and Mr. Croll, chief engineer and manager of the works, arrauced for this in an ingenious manner, IAo puddings were sent, in tanks, to fcno camps on steam wagons. On arrival a. pipe from the engine boiler was carried to the tanks, and the puddings were, steamed until thoroughly hot, in which state they were served to tho

men. The Mayor has conveyed hit thanks to Mt) Croll and to Mr. W. G Foster,-managing director of the Meal Export Company, for their care ano trouble taken to'havo the puddings wel! cooked and served hot. It had been arranged for enough tobacco and cigarettes to be sent to each camp for each man to have a tin of tobacco and ■ a packet of ciga.rcttes. At May Morn this was accomplished at the "time of the dinner, but owing to a delay the supplies weTe not distributed at Trentliam at the time, but had since been given out. Among the donors of the tobacco and cigarettes wore J£r. 1\ ' J. Nathan and Miss Joseph. ' MAYOR EXPRESSES THANKS. On Friday the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) mado a- request that we should, 011 his behalf, express the sincerest thanks to ail those who had contributed in kind or cash towards making tho soldiers' Christmas dinner at Trentham slid. May Morn so thoroughly, successful. He also wishes to thank, on behalf of himself and Mrs. Luke, the large number of ladies who had never once spared themselves in attending to the preliminary arrangements ever since the inception of the Christmas dinner idea. He and Mrs. Luko and many associated with them had experienced a very strenuous time in keeping in touch with donors, assembling all things necessary for the big spread, and' equipping tho tables. This latter work was quite considerable at May Morn, which had to ba provided with tables and seats, but thanks to the tine'weather the al fresco dinner provided there was quite unique,, and a sight never to be forgotten by those present. To the Camp Comman- t dant, officers, and men at May Morn he expressed his and Mrs. Luke's sincere thanks for the kindly co-operation and courtesies extended to them, which , tended to make the dinnor so very 6uc- • cessful. At Trentham they had tho advantage of the hutments and tables, and there the conditions all \ made for success. Each hutment had its distinctive characteristics, ' and the _ occupants of each seemed to be delighted at the cheer provided for them; ' There, again, ho would like to express his thanks to Colonel Potter, his officers, and men for their consideration and kindness. After the diuner at 'Wentham, Mr. and Mis. Luko motored to May Morn, and were delighted to he present at the dispersal of the troops. Ho hoped that the strenuous and anxious Christmas-time they were passing through would bo as happy as possible, that tho New Year would open out suc- . cessfully for our arms, and that each and everyone would work unceasingly and earnestly to bring about a cessation [ of the war and a lasting peace, not only to England, but to her Allies, and ths . whole world.