LADIES’ REST ROOM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1939, Page 8

LADIES’ REST ROOM

QUESTION OF FURNISHING RAISED. STATEMENT BY MAYOR. When it was reported at last night's meeting of the Masterton Borough that Mrs G. (Nissen had been appointed custodian of the new Ladies’ Rest Room in Dixon Street, the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, said'difficulty had been experienced in raising funds for the furnishing of the Rooms. He recalled that there was a sum of £l2O, the unexpended balance of a fund raised by public subscription during the epidemic of 1918, lying idle. The fund was administered by four trustees, representing the public. When he was short of unemployment funds some years ago Mr Jordan had his eyes on the fund. Recently, he had through the member for the district, Mr J. Robertson, approached the Ministers of Finance- and Internal Affairs and both had agreed that it would be a proper use of the money to provide furnishings for the Rest Room. Difficulty, however, had been experienced with two of the trustees, who appeared reluctant to part with the money. One of the trustees said he was holding it for an emergency. “I told him," added Mr Jordan, “that we had experienced all sorts of disasters since 1918 but had not received an offer of the money by the trustees. I have a good deal more money than that at call for unemployment relief but I could not very well use that for furnishing a Rest Room. The bulk of the money. I believe, was subscribed largely by country people and, as the Rest Room is primarily for them, I think it would be a most appropriate way of using the money.”

Councillor G. W. Morlce: “Then how are we going to furnish the Rest Room?”

Mr Jordan: “Out of the ratepayers’ pockets. I appealed for contributions and received about £25.” It was stated that the Rest Room would be opened next Monday.