Returned Soldiers’ Club.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1922, Page 1

Returned Soldiers’ Club.

PROPOSAL TAKEN UP. There was a very good attendance last night, despite the counter at-, tractions, and the adverse weather, al- 1 footing country members, at the Fire Brigade Hall, when the returned soldiers assembled in force, supported by a sprinkling of citizens, to consider tho proposal to establish a club-rooms here. Mr D. J. Evans, President of the local branch of the Returned Sol-dicn-s? Organisation. occupied the chair. The Chairman outlined the proposal which had been in mind for some time, and which was brought to a head at' the late reunion of returned men. when it was resolved to consider ways arid means to provide a room, for which there was an evident demand. Mr Evan s said it was thought as a first . step that temporary quarters might be j taken, and later a good ball erected. | Tlierci was available £253 from a baz- , aar held some time ago. and if an up- , peal for funds were made, and steps : taken to raise additional money, no doubt, thcro would bo a worthy re-j spouse. The matter was thrown open j for discussion and suggestion as to the j best course to pursue. I Mr C. Jacobsen said it was rather a surprise that a local district such as this which sent so many men away, had not a hall, as had most other towns in New Zealand. There was the need . for such a place of meeting, and ho, was sure the men would appreciate it j if provided. The funds he felt sure could be raised, and different methodfor novelties were referred to. It took four vonrs to win the war, but it would not take that long to pay olf the hall if all worked with a will. Mr S F Wilson agreed that a club would bo very useful to the townspeople- as well as the soldiers. He supported AJr •Jacobsen’s remarks, too, that it was not advisable to sptn much money on a temporary building, but to concentrate on a new building altogether. , . , ~ Mr W. A. Wilson, supported the idea of securing a freehold section and building their own premises, teeling sure that the necessary funds would ho forthcoming. x y,. | if Shand stated that the Horticultural Hall had been mentioned a. temporary location for a yeai or so, but enquiry elicited the information that the cost of putting the building in suitable order would be m the region of £2OO. He favored the idea of going oil with a. building of their own.

The Chairman mentioned that it might bo possible to arrange for the Supreme Hall when shortly on its new site, hut the suggestion for a hall of their own, if a suitable central site could ho secured was the right course to take. It might he possible to acquire portion of one of the Government reserves adjacent to tho railway sta- i tion, hut that would he a matter for negotiation. Mr F. McGregor understood thcro were promises on a former occasion , from certain sawmillers to assist with j supplies of timber for a new hall, anti I those gifts would lie helpful. A hall I erected To their 'owin' reqtrii'enwjits would lie tho host to aim at. j Mr S. W. felt sure there ] would be ready assistance all round to ! help erect a hall. Personally he would ! he going into the southern district , shortly, and he would help all he could \ in that quarter, with the object they ! had in view. Air R. Moore joined in the general I support to a building .scheme, and fav- . otiretl the proposal made L\ Mr .Jacob- | sen to sot about raising additional ; funds without delay. The Chairman said the concensus ol ; opinion was strongly in favour of build-: ing, and the matters of site and funds ] would have to he considered. He suggested sotting up a small committee to call for offers of sites and the com- ; mittce to meet in a week’s time to ’ consider tho offers. On tlic motion of Mr Wilson, n com- i mittce of nine was set tip to go into ] the matter of site, and it was decided ! to advertise at once for offers of sec- ] tious. . Regarding the raising of funds. Mr j Jacobson suggested holding a West- j land beauty competition, nominations I to be drawn from districts to be sup- i ported by local organisations, and votes to be one shilling each. The idea was approved very generally, and referred ; to the committee to meet next Thtirs- ( day to arrange tho details. In reply to A.lr A. R. Flood;, it was stated that it was proposed to admit i citizens as honorary members of the proposed Club at an annual fee of one , pound. Citizens would have the same j privileges as soldier members, making , the institution to all intents and pur- I poses an ordinary Club for men to foregather. A billiard table had been offer- j ed and would lie installed, and with i reading and card rooms there would i ho t.ho usual facilities for recreation , ordinarily provided at club rooms. 1 The whole project was discussed in detail, aiul various matters referred to tho provisional ’committee. after which the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman and the ladies present. In aeknowlodg- . ing tho vote of thanks tho Chairman ] said lie was very pleased to -see tho project taken up so heartily by tho, men who were there in such force. It , had been promised in the past on liehalf of tho citizens that when the war memorial was raised, tlm question of a club-room would lie taken up. Al- , though there was not a representative meeting of citizens present, as soon as they had a definite scheme to go to ! the people, he felt sure the public t would he behind them, and their expectations and hopes' would ho mtlis- j ed. (Applause), j