A HAPPY PLACE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 69, 14 December 1917, Page 3

A HAPPY PLACE

"THE ARMY'S" CAMP HOSTEL

FOR RELATIVES OF SOLDIERS AT FEATHERSTON

An institution which is uniquo of its kind—in fact, it is said there is only 0110 oilier quite like it in tho world—is the Salvation Army Hostel at Fcatherston. Established about twelvo months ago, it not only met the needs of tho relatives requiring convenient accommodation, but appears to have created furtlier demands in this direction. Formerly the soldiers' relatives, knowing how limited accommodation was near tho camp, often gave up tho idea of going there. But nowadays there is tho hostel, and to say that the officer in charge is inundated irith applications for rooms is understating the case. The hostel was visited a. few days ago by Sir James Allen, Major-General Sir Alfred Robin, Surgeon-General Henderson, and other officers. It -was a surprise visit and the staff and guests were found in the midst of their day : s work. Kitchens, washhouses, and ironing rooms were in full swing, and probably in this way a much better impression of the working of the hostel was obtained than if the call had been premeditated _ and prearranged. At the main entrance of the hostel is a verandah with deck chairs. Leading off this is a wido hall, from which open, on one hand, the manager's office, and on tho other a large sittingroom. Through swing doors a passage runs to left and right, with the diningroom, to seat 60 guests, straight ahead. The passage leads in eitbsr direction to open quadrangles, and it is upon these quadrangles on one side and upon tho street or open fields on tho otner that the rooms open. There are two classes of bedrooms in the hostel, provided with single and double beds respectively. The chargo for tho single rooms, including meals, is 255. a week. For the double rooms tho charge is 305., including meals for the soldiers' wives who occupy them. The soldier may come and go as' he pleases, paying Is. each for such meals as he has. These meals, by the way, are excellent both in quality and quantity. . Passage after passage is traversed, with rooms on both sides, each of them with windows opening on the ground level. At the end of .each of tna two long main passages is a nursery, in which children may play in wet, weather. These nurseries are provided with fireplaces and are well lighted. Adjoining each of theso passages are washhouses —huge ones, equipped with numerous coppers and many tubs. When the Ministerial party passed through they were busy places. Tho