N.Z. WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 257, 25 July 1919, Page 9

N.Z. WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION

STILL HAS WOfiK TO DO IN LONDON. ' Owing to the hang-up of the transports lust J amuli'y ami February, the life oi the .New ileal-ind \var Luiitingenc Association has been considerably prolonged, states Mr. 1. AV. JH-iyinoiul, tho i-hiimiiim..- The executive- duly- decided that so long as niuuiberc of liiu •N./iiJi.i ,, . were in tiio United Kingdom it was tueir duty io seo (hat the men's ina-rests Were looked alter.■ During the last three months- tho clubs and recreation 'rooms at JlrockiMihuTSt, ISoscbnibo, llorncluirch, and i-lwshott have been closed and realisations effected. Providing that transports are not detained through industrial troubles, Walton, Codt'ord, and-Out-lands will be dosed by the end ui July. Tho head oilicu at High Holborn and the canteen adjoining, at 11 Southampton Itow, will probably have to keep going until the end of August.

Taking the period from January 1 to tho end of liny, the activities of the association have included providing entertainments for the hospital patients and fit men in a variety of ways. Tho total number cuterhuncd in January was 10,4'J:!, February 'JGO6, March- BiOH, April MO, May 75(10. Concerts, theatre parties to London, visits to the country and to London, river picnics and boating were the favourite forms of amusement.- A feature of the work of the hospitality' department lins ever been to secure hospitality in the country. The. hoses and liustesaw in the United Kingdom havu been most generous in this respect, and thousands of our boys ta.ii return to the .Dominion having partaken ul thekindness of tho people there. A buying deimi.nii.jii was found necessary as it became known that the sotllieivci were being v.ctimmetl by tne iiaueslit'oji.i'. 'J. Ins ui!|)!U'tmeiit has rendered invaiu.ibie help lo die boya. it may nut be generally known that at the canteen at it Southampton ]<tnv, boys from hospitals have always been iiiieriiiLiied as guest-s. This canteen has been a boon lo lit men during their' stay in London. It' is also largely patronised by the stuff of the Military Headquarters.'" The canteen workers havo valiantly stuck to their job, although tho war is over, feeling that now more than any time Hie men 'require homely surroundings as they are at looso ends. The clubs at the various camps have been a great factor in the 'lives of the men. They have ever been tho popular rendezvous', and. with their comiortnblo rending rooms, social hall, games,, homemade confectionery, and good tea, at prices fullv Ml per cent, less than in tho usual tearooms, have contributed substantially towards making the soldiers less disgruntled with their lot. Providing outgoing transports with games, sports material, and deck chairs was recognised as si necessity if the men were to be kepi in healthy occupation. The O.C. of each transport is hnndpd n cheque to cover outlay in the purchase of prizes- and fruit. As nearly .'IO,OOO men wfre returning, at 3s. per head this represents a considerable expenditure. It is, however, money well spent, Contributions have also boon made to-Wiird-i sports at Sling Camp and in victaullini! men who have been taking part in (he'various processions held recently in London. It is honed that this brief sketch of the work that is heimr carried out may enable those in the Dominion who have assisted with contributions to realise Hint g«id and useful work has been and is-being done.