CITY “DOSS-HOUSE” CLOSES ITS DOORS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 226, 13 December 1927, Page 16

CITY “DOSS-HOUSE” CLOSES ITS DOORS

20,000 FREE BEDS PLANS FOR NEW HOME The Auckland City Mission’s “doss-house” in Federal Street was closed to-day after a period of faithful service. Thirty men packed their “blueys” yesterday, humped them on their back, and set out from the city which had so little to offer them, their faces turned toward the country. Their object will be to wander' from farm to farm seeking employment of some description. Conditions, so it is said, are improving daily in the country. But there are others, some quite incapable of humping “blueys,” who ai’e unable to leave the city. To these, doubtless, the Salvation Army will extend a friendly hand. The Federal Street "doss-house” provided no fewer than 20,000 free beds for “down and outers.” The number demanded during the last week of its existence approached 600. The highest weekly aggregate was 800 beds. The guests invariably stayed four or five days. The Rev. Jasper Calder, who established the "doss-house” at the suggestion of Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., says that its closing emphasises the necessity for the Half-Way Home, which the Mission hopes to establish at Wiri early in the new year. Plans will shortly be drawn for a home on a site of 75 acres. “Though this home is primarily for the simple-minded,” says Mr. Calder, “it will do much to help the city vagrant who must be cared for by someone.”