City Mission Shelter
Sir, —Through the courtesy of the Wellington City Mission I have been spending the last two days as one of the boarders at the men’s shelter, aud have been deeply impressed with the importance of the work that is being done. A good many men are trying the impossible task of living on 10/- a week, and it is my impression that there would be a good many more tragedies about our city streets if the shelter were not in existence. I know by experience how impossible otherwise it would be to carry on, because I have been trying to do it. By staying at the men's shelter a man can get two good meals a day, and a cup of tea in the middle of the day, obtainable elsewhere for a penny, enables hint to carry on in a fairly adequate manner. I have been marvelling during my stay here at the cheapness of it. The meals are excellent in quality, though probably not quite enough for really hungry men, and the men are exceedingly well behaved and considerate. I was impressed by the way late comers tip-toed to bed even before lights out, and any conversation as carried on is in whispers. I expected the usual rowdyism and drunkenness, but this seems to have been entirely eliminated.
I intend to use what influence I have in obtaining support for the work of the' shelter. There isn’t any doubt most of the men would sleep out if it were not in existence. Anyone who doubts its value should pay a visit at 4.30 p.m., when the men are let in, many of them having had no adequate meal since breakfast, and sit for a quarter of an hour nibbling dry bread to take off the worst feeling of hunger, until the meals are served. It struck me as a pity the shelter did not provide something in the way of supper ; a cup of t.ea and a sandwich for a penny would be exceedingly welcome and within the means of the men. The strangest thing I found was the personal popularity of the manager. No matter how good a man is, an official in such a post has to endure a certain amount of criticism from the grouchers. But I heard only appreciation and praise. I have spent a most interesting two days at the shelter, which is the only way of understanding the important function it is filling in Wellington.—l am. etc., D. M. MARTIN, Minister, Knox Presbyterian Church. Miramar, January 17.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19350119.2.103.6
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Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 9
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427City Mission Shelter Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 9
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