RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2802, 21 June 1916, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS

FINE CLUB PREMISES

COMPLETE SCHEME OUTLINED

For some months past the'committee •of the Wellington branch of tho New , Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, [working in conjunction with the prime Mover of the scheme. Captain Donald Siinson, have been engaged quietly in ■working out a plan whereby wellinpton shall not bo ranked second to any other • -city in the provision- niadu for the comiorfc and convenience, of returned sol,diers, during that period between their, arrival back from the front and the time when they get back into, their 'old grooves or settle into new ones. Some months ago Captain Siinson instituted a Eeturned Soldiers' Club in Wellington, because there was nothing of the sort, and has relied on friends and helpers "to keep the. show going." How well that club lias served iis purpose may be ascertained from the meii themselves. Then onme tho formation of the New' Zealand .- Eeturned Soldiers' Association, the' setting up of the Wellington and other branches, and now Captain Simson puts before the public his scheme for a proper, wellequipped Eeturned. Soldiers' Club. To 'that end important strides have been . v ;niade iu the last two weeks. , Splendid; premises havo been secured in the heart of the city, a meeting of sympathetic citizens has been held, trustees have been selected, and a committee and secretars appointed,; . '•'' Club Premises, ... -. '. ' Tho premises, which have been,secured on lease from'■ Messrs..H. Gilmer.and tho trustees of the Allan Maguiro Estate, .; consist of the' four spacious floors ana flat roof' of 'the building on Lambton Quay, the ground frontage of which .is ,- occupied by Fletcher's chemist's shop, and a'soft drink lounge. The entrance fdowh a passage by the side letcher's shop, and leads to a comri>««ble passenger (electric) elevator,' and a ..stairway, both of which ascend to tho roof. -Tho first floor is divided into two apartments. In front (and .opening out on to a spneious balcony) is a large lounge room (35ft. x 35ft.), which will bo comfortably, furnished with, settees,-, easy chairs; writing tables, and a piano. Straight ahead from the entrance door ..... is a passage-way, really part of the room,'' , but divided from it by a four-foot partition. This is a provision for the 601dier man who, during a concert or any little' entertainment, . prefers " hanging round the door to taking a seat in tho room itself. Here he may havo nil the ,- "Jean-over" he wants, and if he wants, a smoke or a breath of fresh air, the passage so created 'conducts him direct to the balcony door 6. A small stago is now being erected. It will -form the inside- wall of the lounge. Behind the stage' there is on one side a retiring room- for, per-, formers, and on the : other (near +he--1 door) there' is d' counter,' whore on enter-' ' 'tainmont nights coats and cloaks will be : checked. At "other -, times returned sol'diers will bo able :to leave-.their gear ■ until such time as they find a mpre.por- .. manent abiding place. A telephone for members is also.handily :placed.. ..,-.-'. 'The second floor ib being fitted' up for, the accommodation of three .billiard

■,: tables, with surrounding -settees'.,and. , aeats. It is proposed that the tables shall :bo placed in charge 'of a .'.; marker '(a returned ,soldier, : .of course).'■ ,Vand that'3d. ,per : game"; of 50;pY>ints shall; "'be charged.' Afc'-'tbeTrear of"the'billiard! table there will .be an ante 7 room i:on-, ; taining wash-band; basins,, conveniences.":' two tepid sbower-r.aths,-.-..._ brushes! and 1 , combs,, and gear for _ cleaning: boots and: buttons. The third floor:is being arranged; ' as_ a. buffet, where refreshments of'some. : sort will:always.be. available.., There is a.' small. kitchen provided, and a counter.' 1 that extends across the, room, which will be. filled with small tables' and chairs.: 'Against the outside ;will .be 'he offices of tlie.'clnb.ahdhea'dqiiarters of the New'. Zealand Association and local association's I

secretary; Higher still, on the fourth floor, is n large flat .(35ft. by 50ft.), that is proposed to bo used as a lecture hall, gymnasium, dancing floor, etc.. and ladies' cloak room.

Tho'fiat of the roof is to be made into a- sort- of roof garden, by raising glass partitions from tho walls, and furnishing- it with garden seats, tables, etc. ' A pleasing feature of the new club premises' is its central situation and convenience for everyone. It is within n miuuto of the (J .P. 0., three minutes of the wharf, and five minutes from the railway station, and yet is in the lino of the greatest traifio in Wellington. Tho alterations to the building have teen planned by Messrs. Hoggard; Prouse, and Uummer, and the work is being carried out by Messrs. Campbell and Burke. Captain Simson states that he has received the consent of tho owners to call the building the "Kitchener rluilding," a small token of respect to the soldiers' soldier, tho late Earl Kitchener. Advantages of the Club. As to tho advantages of such a club as outlined, there can be no doubt I hat there are many. It will be a handy place'for the men to drop into when they are tired of tho streets and the shops; it will to handy for the public to inquire as to tlie whereabouts of a returned man. It will bo the place for any of ihe assist!imr associations or committees to have heart-to-heart talks with the men, where lists of missing and absent friends will be kept, and men can list what employment they would like or are capable iof taking up ,whilst employers can list what labour they require. Eeturned men | must spend , some time in Wellington | looking after.their affairs, on furlough, I and it will bo a handy place for them to drop into to get a wash and brush-up | at any time. , Conduct of Club. Tho good conduct of the club will ho absolutely guaranteed. No alcohol will be permitted. Any infringement of that rule will be very severely dealt with. Captain Simson believes that tho committee of returned men are fully capable of running the club, on the very best lines, and they will always have, us >i steadying iuhuonco. the Board of Trustees. I '