CRIPPLED SOLDIERS' HOSTEL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 217, 1 June 1918, Page 5

CRIPPLED SOLDIERS' HOSTEL

PLANS FOE THE FUTURE. It is very comforting to think that so pleasant a* liume is being provided for crippled soldiers and sailors as that on Tiie Terrace which is in course of being prepared lor their incoming very shortly. The residence which has been secured lor this purpose is very well kn-.jv.n, and the gardens have been noted in their day for the excellence of their production in the way of flowers, fruit, and vegetables. The present house, in v. Inch acenmmedation can be provided I'ir about lit' men, will, later on, when the new building'has been erected, serve as an annexe, and is in itself a large roomy two-storied building with a verandah and <i balcony which can either be closed in with sliding panels of gla-s or else thrown open to the Wellington breezes at will. The aspect from (he front rooms is charming, as the bouse is situated on a rise, and in between the branches of some fine old trees glimpses of blue waters and the distant, bills are obtained. "Without question, however, the balcony oilers special charms, especially to men who are no longer active. A side verandah, a billiard room, a large dining-room, bedrooms simply but comfortably furnished should do much to provide a home for men who deserve nil the comfort and brightness that can be given them in return for the, disabilities under which they are sull'ering. The main building, for which plans have been drawn up by Mr. P. C. Walt, promises to be a very comfortable home. Tt also will'be of two stories, with verandah and balconies at least twelve feet wide, the latler also capable of being quite closed in with sliding windows when necessary. In addition to about 59 cubicles there will be a billiard room, also a smoking room adjoining with folding doors between, a library, a very large dining-room, with kitchen, servery, scullery, etc., fitted up on the most laboursaving principle. The hostel will also have its own vacuum cleaning process, a | lift, which for a hostel of such a nature is imperative, also a sick bay in Hie sunniest part of the building, tor which special arrangements are heing j planned. Wardrobes Hush with (he walls I will bo built into the bedrooms and ! plenty of bathrooms upstairs and down I will be provided. The comfort of the ! house staff has also been carefnllv con- ! fiidered, and (lie hall, 40ft. by 12ft., will : be named Ihe J.owry Hall, alter Mrs. Lowry, an active Iriend of (he hostel. ■ As the main building will lie to the : right of the annexe, lacing the road it I will not impinge upon the view possessed | by the. laker, not in any way cut oil' ! its sunshine. The vegetable garden in I existence, although now somewhat not- ! ous in appearance, as are other parts of the ground), offers a most promising future, and the various outbuildings are likely to be turned into workshops in which the men will be able to carry on activities of various kinds. Not Uio least of Uio'attractions is the hothouse, in which aie growing some, very fine vines. Quite picturesque is an old sandstone filter which has been given too hostel, and as (here is a natural spring water should be. a popular drink.

At the proj-iiil limp the hostel is not to ho confined to crippled soldiers and sailors only, n>: others who are not; suffering from sneh .disabilities will be ablo to find iii'coiniiiodnlion there. It is? when the wnr is over Hint it will be kept solely for crippled men without homes in this country, and such, a purpose must surely meet with the sympathy and support of every right-thinking person in the eoninimiily.

The work of Mr. Watt, who is supervising the alterations of the present building, and is honorary architect iiiul supervisor for the new building to be erected, is very greatly appreciated by the committee. Such gratuitous services are of the greatest, help. It is estimated that the new building will cost about .tSOfIO, and lHoparafions for a campaign to raise Hi is amount have been completed. As an indication of the growth of the nrcseiil hostel at Newlown the following figures should be intereslinc:—During MiS-ifi. 1.1,021 meals and 4724"beds were obtained and paid for: while 191)1 meals and (iS'i bods wore nrovided without nay luent. In IHIG-17. ,10,33!) meals and 1,1,11.1 beds- wore raid fur; and there were 11177 meals and 4-VJ beds not. paid for.