SOLDIERS' CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1916, Page 2

SOLDIERS' CLUB.

The club rooms. INITIATION AND FRUITION: People who were acquainted with the old Borough Chambers will, on inspection of them now, be greatly impressed with the transformation that has been cflccted by those ladies and gentlemen ! who have for several weeks been instrumental in this genuine labor of love and gratitude to those men who have so valiantly and willingly done their best for the Old Flag. A clean, cosy and comfortable "home" has been provided for the men, and the club will of a surety bo the -rendezvous of many who will tight their battles over again. Willing workers, day and night, have pulled down partitions, taken up old linoleum, given walls and ceiling fresh coats ol paint. The general "air" of renovation if. the first thing that is apparent, and visitors as they proceeded through the rooms yesterday when the official opening took place, were struck by the methodical alterations that have been made, and by the generosity of the residents in providing such a suitablo suite for our fighting men.

It will be remembered that a special appeal was made on Anzac Day, April 25, for funds to provide a club, and that a flag was* auctioned at the patriotic concert held in the evening of that day. The total realised was, roughly, £2OO, and this sum was preserved as a capital account for the institution. The combined committee who had charge of arrangements are Mesdames C. H. Burgess, 11. Stocker, and W. Ewing (Women's Patriotic Committee) and Messrs J. R. Hill, A. E. Goodacru, Capt. Hartnell (New Plymouth Patriotic Committee). Capt. Hartnell, Corporal Ford and 'Private N. C. Harding (secretary) representing the returned soldiers. As soop as the movement was definitely established oilers of practical help poured in continuously, and the committee, thoroughly heartened by the'manual and financial aid promised, had little difficulty in carrying out their task. With the exception of encroaching on the capital account for the purchase of a piano, not a single penny has been expended. Material, manual labor, etc., has all been donated, carpenters, plumbers, painters and many others generously surrendering their spare time to the improvements. The only other encroachment so far expected on the capital fund will be the cost of renovating the passage way, "which," jemarked the Mayoress, "we could hardly expect to get done free of charge." After entering the building the first room to demand attention is the large one (the old public office) on the left hand side. The alterations here are strikingly evident. Part of the wall between the old office and what was the Mayor's room' has been opened up. md the two rooms made intc one which will be known as the lounge and the social hall. An excellent billiard table (from the old drill hall) thoroughly overhauled and re-cushioned, stands in the centre of the room, and all appliances for weilders of the cue are provided. Easy chairs and couches with comfortable cushions are in abundance; suitable picture-: and engravings adorn the walls, which have b.;en newly calcomined, a pretty green frieze'daintily setting off the white walls of the room; and there are also card tables, handsome wall clock, book shelves, etc. In the Mayor's old quarters an excellent piano is placed, a long table with abundance of books a;id magazines occupies a prominent position, and card tables, easy chairs, bookshelves and pictures have not been overlooked. The lighting of the combined room is all that could be desired. This social room is certain to prove one of the most attractive in the club, and will doubtless be a place of comfort and "?hecr to the gallant men who have passed through war's dircncss. Adjacent to the passage-way is a handy little cloak room, with wash-basin, etc., and then the refreshment .'oom demands attention. The town clerk's ante-room, enlarged by the removal of a partition, has been devoted to this essential purpose, A long table fills the centre of the room and dressers, well stocked with crockery of all descriptions and silverware, are not lacking. The town clerk's private office, adjoining this room :has been transformed into a kitchen, provided with a fireplace, gas ring, and griller, sink, etc., all of which have been donated. The last room, and certainly one of that will not be the least patronised by the men, is the reading room (the borough engineer's old office). Prominent in this is a beautiful writing desk (the gift of Mr. T. Avery) which is equipped with every requirement, even to writing paper and envelopes, with printed headings. Bookshelves containing hundreds of volumes, duly numbered and catalogued, a table laden with magazines and books, pictures, easy chairs, etc., comprise the furniture of this pleasant room, where music, reading writing and -yarning will surely pass away many well-spent hours. There is a fine supply of natural light to the various rooms, ami in every way the convenience of the men has been studied, and the club reflects the. utmost credit on the committee, workers, and the generous donors of the furnishings. It is intended to have the small space at the hack of the building done up as n garden, and probably in this some of the men siuiy be able now and then to put in an hour's profitable recreation,^

FORMALLY HANDED OVER. THE INAUGURATION CEREMOa t. Mr. C. H. Burgess (the Mayor of New Plymouth) was in charge of the opening proceedings yesterday afternoon, there being, present fifteen or twenty returned soldiers, a number of men on final leave, and a number of representative citizens, comprising lady and gentlemen workers on patriotic undertakings, and many business men.

Mr. Burgess read telegrams from Hon. •las. Allen (Minister of Defence), and I.'on. A. L. Herdman (Minister in charge of Returned Soldiers), expressing regret at non-attendance, and approbation in the action of the committee responsible for the club. Mr. Herdman paid special tribute to Mr. .J. E. Wilson's great services in connection with the fund.

Apologies were also to hand from Hon. O. Samuel and Rev. A., 11. Colvile, the latter gentleman attending later. Mr. Burgess said that it was not necessary to talk much. All were aware of the birth of the club, and how two committees were appointed to take charge of an Anzac flag and a concert, which duly eventuated. The first diffiriilty was the choice of a room, but that was soon obviated by the Borough Council deciding to remove to the Liardet Street premises. Painting, materials, etc., for the equipment of the building had been supplied free. The words ''Anzac Soldiers' r.lnhv had not been

j painted on the windows, because the proI' moters wished the Club to be a gathering place for all soldiers, returned or on leave.

Mr. J. E. Wilson, chai: ■man of the Patriotic Committee, said he concurred in the pleasure expressed liy the Minister's telegrams. Mrs. Burgess was deserving of high eulogy. Ever since men began to return from the firing line the need of a Club had been recognised, and he trusted that it would later on be established in „ more permanent home. He desired to say a few words 011 wai relief. The formation of the Club would be a tremendous aid to soldiers and patriotic committees. At the early part of the war a good deal o< confusion had arisen because some ot the men could not get their affairs unoothed out, and, as a civilian, he was not aware of all the routine. The Club would save much work. It would be a great help to the War Belief Association, as cases of men needing attention Wild be brought under immediate notice. The Club also established to assist the Government Department, by recommending any men who were qualified to take up work. He suggested the erection of a notice board in th« Club, notifying situations vacant and offering. The Club should be of great benefit to the men and to the community,

Mr. H. J. Okcy, M.P. congratulated all concerned on the very fine rooms. They were ever so much more convenient than those in the Wellington Club. At the front men formed a comradeship, and this should be kept up as a benefit to them and the community. His boy had written to him from the trendies saying that the Taranaki company "were like a family in themselves-" this was what the Club should be used for; it should be a Taranaki soldiers' home. Mr. Wilson's suggestion was a good one, and would remove a lot of difficulties. He wished to correct some misapprehensions re pensions. These started from the day of discharge, but many men had not made prijper application, and ; confusion resulted. The widows' and dependents' pension was the best in the world. He wanted the returned Men to realise that they still had p. duty to perform. They should settle on the land and make homes. Their predecessors in the Maori wars had done their whack in the firing lines, and then settled on the land. This was «■ great example. He paid tribute to the work of Mrs. Burgess, who deserved the thanks of the soldiers and the city. Messrs. A. .E. Goodacre, of the Patriotic Committee, and Mr. E. Beckbfssingir, Mayor of Waitava, also added u few lemarks.

Mr. Burgess fovmally extended an invention, through Mr. Beckbcssingor and otliur Mayors of Taranaki, to notify returned men that the Club is open to all. Mr. Hugh Bayly, on behalf of the Ladies' Patrfotic Committee, presented a replica of the Anzai; Flag (destroyed in tlu, recent fire) to Captain Cox, of the Defence Department. The flag was an csact duplicate of the one burned, and would be a memento r' tho Taranaki boys who had fallen and who had gone. A handsoiuoly-f rained scroll accompanied the flag, which had been worked bv Mesdames Crooke, Hutton, Blundeli, and Miss Fabian.

Captain Cos appropriately returned thanks. It was a privilege that he felt should have been conferred on Captain ITartnell, to accept it, but Captain Hartr.ell, with his usual modesty, held aloof. He was pretty well to the"front in the trenches, though. As a returned soldier, and as an officer in the Defence Department. be could assure all workers that the Club would be a boon and a necessity.

Mr. Burgess then formally handed over the Club to the soldiers, remarking that in Captain Hartnell the men would have a tried and genuine friend. Mr. J. R. Hill called for three cheers for the Mayoress (Mrs Burgess), and these were lustily given. Mrs. Burgess, ill a short reply, said few women could go tfl the war, hut they could help in i'iany other ways, and the Club was one of them.

The returned soldiers gave vociferous ?liccrs for the Mayor and Mayoress, and ,the National Anthem, to the strains of Mrs. Woods' orchestra, was loyally renuercd.

Afternoon tea concluded the procead- ■ MgS.