SOLDIERS’ HOSTEL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1943, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ HOSTEL

ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES FOR SERVICE MEN. TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT. “During the year just ended your committee has carried out the policy adopted prior to the last annual meeting, and that was to 'offer every facility it could for the entertainment of all service men;” states the 25th annual report of the Wairarapa Soldiers’ Hostel. “The Anzac Ladies' Committee, who undertake the entertainment of the boys on two nights per week, is well satisfied with its efforts and there is no doubt that its services have been much appreciated by the many boys who visited the club on those nights. We take this opportunity of thanking them. This social side of the hostel has undoubtedly benefited the club financially, as is shown in the various items in the balance sheet. “We anticipate that a big percentage of the newly-returned men will avail themselves of the facilities offered by the hostel, and we extend to them a very cordial welcome and would ask all present members to take the first opportunity of introducing them to it. “Our balance sheet shows an excess of revenue over expenditure of £l2O 0s 7d, which is satisfactory, but were it not for the foresight and beneficence of our late .patron, the late Mi’ A. P. Whatman, we would now be in a very difficult financial position. As it is, from the late A. P. Whatman’s endowment, the hostel receives £2BO per annum, but out of this amount £35 has to be paid in Social Security Tax and National Security Tax, and a further £52 12s Id is the amount of income tax payable on this endowment, so it will lie seen that the hostel receives less than £2OO per'annum out of the £2BO. “Members will see that the revenue from the billiard tables has been considerably increased. The game has been very popular with the visitors who are undoubtedly responsible for this increase, and the tables were occupied to such an extent that your committee thought it better to forego the usual members' tournaments.” The report is signed by Mr P. G. Ramsay president. j