SOLDIERS ON HOLIDAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2659, 3 January 1916, Page 6

SOLDIERS ON HOLIDAY

A CITY ENCAMPMENT. Timely hospitality awaited the soldiers oil' New Year leave'at Buckle Street. Tiio material comforts were a commodi-. oils- haven of shelter for the niglit and wholesome substantial fare in the morn--ing. But .there were other Leiiefits. It . relieved the pressure on the hotels and boardinghouses, and, incidentally, on. the purses of the soldiers from the camps. The latter, besides, found the Drill Hal] a .' valuable rendezvous during the few days of their leave. To those strange to_> the crowded city the enjoyment of tins leave was .incalculably enhanced by; : the certainty'of a. roof for the 'night', aitd breakfast in the morning. Besides, , it-enabled comrades to spend tiieir leave in.l company and to share together the' , entertainment which the' City has har* to : offer during the holidays. Wrapped in , a couple ot thick blankets, the soldiers bivouacked 011'clean,'fresh straw. Appetising fare for the inner man followed in the morning, breakfast consisting of sausages, potatoes, and coffeo, piping hot, with bread, butter, and jam. The Jlayor (Mr. J." P. Luke) who had arranged with the military authorities to have the Drill Hall placed at the disposal of the visiting soldiers, paid a visit to Buckle jStreet on Saturday morning to see how tho men were faring. His Worship, it may be mentioned, was prepared to have tho Town Hall thrown open for the . benefit of the sol-, diors on leave, but, as General Robin acceded to the request to allow the men to make use of the premises in Buckle Street, thin was unnecessary. Tho military building has, of course, more conveniences for the accommodation of a large body of men. Mr. Luke breakfasted with the men on Saturday morning, and subsequently addressed them, remarking that had they had adequate notice steps could have been taken to have the men billeted! throughout the City. Hearty cheers were given by the men for tho Mayor, and for the officers who had charge of the arrangements. About 500 men were at Buckle Street on Friday night, and about 800 took advantage of the hospitality oifered them at the Drill Hall on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to breakfast, refreshment was ready for the men during the day when required.