LONDON AT MIDNIGHT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3196, 21 September 1917, Page 7

LONDON AT MIDNIGHT

j (By "Triangle.")

ROUND THE RED TRIANGLE HUTS CARING FOR THE SONS OP THE EMPIRE

Someone suggested a run around the I.M.G.A. huts in London. Wo lad spent the evening at the Shakespeare Hut in Bloomsbury, ivhich is the iVew Zealand Y.M.C.A. headquarters, and the prospect of seeing yet another side of London was Tho usual Saturday night cnterlainment had just concluded in the Concert Hall—wo'shall not soon forget tho galaxy of btars v?ho provided that splendid programme— a °i W m» su Pi )er * n the spacious cafe. There wero hundreds of soldiers about us, mostly New Zealanders ou week-end leave, but also members of the Home I'orces, including a strong representation of the Aerial Service, a few French soldiers, and one Russian comrade. Around and about moved the women workers, who conduct the cafo with the smartness of a London restaurant. Under their refined influence the. frequenters of this hut invariably conduct themselves as they would in their own homes, and the change is beneficial after the camps and .trenches. A 'day or two ago a couple of.New Zealanders expressed their appreciation by leaving a tip. of a shilling on one of their plates. They were Maoris, and tho waitress—daughter of society people in Epsom—went after them to return the money. At first they would not admit having left it, but realising her embarrassment they accepted the return of the money. Another lady discovered half-a-ciowh under a plate, and her only alternative was to place it in the oox for the purchase of'•flowers. The tipping system, which prevails extensively in London; is doubtless responsible for'thes'e misconceptions; but at least the soldiers are appreciative. Our first call in the course of the midnight tour was the Aldwych Hut, where special accommodation is provided for members of. the. Australian Forces. It

was a very attractive institute, conducted on : similar lines to the place from .which we had come, with honorary women workers dispensing refreshments to numbers of -Australian "and other soldiers, and good use being made of piano, billiard tables, reading and writing room, etc. . The latter departments were about to close down for the night, but not so the. refreshment room and booking office, which would be busy until the morning shift of workers came on. A feature of the work in these huts is the service which is rendered to the soldiers all through the night. . Aldwych Hut also has extensive dormitory , accommodation, but not.'quite as-much as the Shakespeare Hut. ... . . • At the Waterloo Hut.

The next' experience was unique. In the' Waterloo Hut—close to tho railway station—we were among a different class of men, and a correspondingly different class of workers. We saw the flotsam and jetsam floating in from the big stream,; the surging of w"hich never ceases. Some had been imbibing and wanted to sing all night. At the piano a matron patiently accompanied the cluster in "My i.ittio Grey Home in the West." Hoiv those' soldiers and sailors Ist themselves go! There were English Tommies, Australia was there, likewise New Zealand and Canada, whil6 ( the Navy was represented by a .burly. Jack Tar with an vnmusical voice hut a keen desire to ho heard, and to wield the conductor's baton. They ran on from one sentimental song to anothor, and tho chances are that on the morrow they would feel much better for the experience. The Y.M.C.A. exists as much for this type of men as for Ij.o others. Its mission is to lead men into the environment of better surroundings than they might otherwise find themselves in—to shield the wayward from the wiles of the insidious and provide good-living lads with healthy lecreati.m and pastime. One of the best features of the work is the classification which renders it possible for all types to be catered' for. in different, directions.. . As their natures differ eo do their needs. Hence the necessity for varying methods.

Late and Early Trains. Ka Institute that presented many interesting features was the "All Welcome" r.M.C.A. Hut, which has been erected oil top of the Victoria Disbict Railway Station. Entrance is obtained by means of a bridge in Terminus Place, a centre of bustle- for soldiers and sailors returning at all hours from France and various parts of the Empire. ' The large hut contains beds and baths, 'games, and cloak room, while from the canteen may be 'obtained breakfasts, dinners, teas, and suppers. No- one who lias not niingl-ja with and talked fo The men can understand how much they appreciate stepping off a late train and walking "right into one of these institutes. Honorary workers of both sexes remain through the watohes of tlio night, and during llio recent bitter winter, most especially, their work was beyond praise. The men are made as comfortable—in somo cases more so—than in- their own homes. They are surrounded by cosy furnishings; if they desire to Tead they may recline in a quiet room; for writing they have a special place; and for games tiicy are provided with ample equipment. Then, over all is the setting of a higher standard of living, and an encouragement to keep over green- the memories of home. "East or West, Home is Best" was one little reminder on the wall, while another ran thus, "Time passoth, Life changeth, Death hideth, Love remains.'' No more need bp said.

Bringing in the Strays. At frequent stages of tho midnight adventure we sighted the' illuminated sign of the Red Triangle ahead, and on each occasion we inspected a X.ILC.A. Hut tallying with the descriptions already given, or saw one of the many small inquiry bureaux which dot the city like squares on a draughts board. We also noted the incoming of tho motor-cars which nightly scout the metropolis in search of soldiers who need the guidance of friendly hands. During one mouth the Y.M.C.A. night transport column has travelled nearly 10,000 miles, unci -between the hours of 10 and 12 p.m. picked up 7825 men, and transferred them to Y.M.C.A. Huts; between midnight and 2 a.m. 100 men were conveyed to the huts; and between 3 and 7.30 a.m. nearly 3000 men were"picked up in the streets, and placed under the friendly shelter of the Red Triangle.'