A HANDSOME OFFER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1917, Page 5

A HANDSOME OFFER.

TOR KETUiRNED SOLDIERS. A very (pleasant example of patriot- '■ ism ■w as exhibited" in the House last ■ . week, when the Rt. Hon. W. SF. Massey v read a letter from Mrs. Constance <Gil- J lies, of Glenalvon, Auckland. "Dear. Mr. Massey," she wrote, "while von have been absent from New Zealand there have.been, a great many letter-, in the •papers with regard to the advisability of having permanent 'homes for our flisabled soldiers. I have been waiting.for your return to offer you for tiliis pur- ; pose as a gift my property at Botorua known as Point," situated on Lake Botorua, three niiles iroin tho town, and . consisting of seven acres, mostly garden, which goes down to ,the water's edge.'-' TKe-ibcthiHig and ■ Ashing „ $ would Ibe much appreciated by the'iinvalid?. The house is rough-cast, §Bd consists of fifteen rooms, with fine ;4ul- • ■ liard room, married couple's quarters,)-/;/, and garage, etc., outside. We havs a laiijipii. ,that goes over to Rotorus? in-,' 'ninfejminutes, which I include in i|he \\ gift. It holds twenty persons. the-launch would be a convenient for the invalid? ,to go over to Rotdrua ' 4 for treatment. There is a road tope town as. well , (of a sort). We are toot living in our home at present, as ajny J husband is working with the Efficiency Jioard here,,and,intends wa« long ■ as his services are required. So_ it v ' would make me very happy to think some of our brave soldiers were enjoy- , > ing and reviving benefit from our lovely ; home, The soil there is very good,:,»ot / noor ns in some parts of liotorua, and wo 'grow splendid vegetables and flowers, ' and have an extensive orchard just com- * . ln» into bearin<*, so it struck me if you ' . accept out offer the soldiers could make , tlio place' partially, if not wholly, selfsupporting by growing vegetables, fruit, . * and flowers. Rotoriia would be an ex- ~"T cellent market, as it consists chiefly of hote's and bcarding-houses. .'- i "We have no son to send to the war, r. and feel we would like to make some >-J personal sacrifice for the great cause, so , hope yon will be able to aecept and >, make use of what we are able to oilei "