Proposed Veterans' Home.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 30, 24 July 1902, Page 18

Proposed Veterans' Home.

Fobbmost amongst the many schemes put forward for perpetuating the memory of those who fell in South Africa is that of his Excellency the Governor for the establishment of a Veterans' Home. Apart altogether from the sentimental point of view the iflovement deserves general support as it has for its object the providing of a home for men who have given the best years of their manhood to the service of the Empire and now in their old age deserve every consideration and attention. His Excellency has not been content to inaugurate the movement and leave others to do the work of organising, but he haa pushed it forward with great teal and enthusiasm which will undoubtedly win success. The propoeal is highly philanthropic, and on this ground alone it should meet with a generous response from the public. The following are the suggestions of the committee, who have the matter in hand :—: — ' The cost of a furnished home to accommodate 40 veterans, of whom provision for four married couples is also made, would be, exclusive of the cost of the land, £5000. The price of the land may be estimated at £1000. Putting it at the lowest estimate, £350, or the interest on £9000 will be required for maintenance. Although this will be insufficient to meet all contingenoiea, yet it is hoped by entertainmentp. etc., sufficient will be forthcoming to meet all that is required, From this it will be seen that £15,000 is all that is necessary to carry out the scheme in its entirety. The home would be made self-supportive, so to speak, as far as possible. The most deserving and needy cases would at all times reoeive flrßt consideration as regards admission to the home, the selection being without canvas, and under the control of the committee. ■ The Governor's list of veterans now contains upwards of 2000 names, holding more than 2260 medals. Amongßt these one holds the medal for Syria (Acre), 1840; four, China War, 1842; one, Scinde, 1843 ; twelve, the Kaffir War. 1853 ; five, Sobraon, 1845 ; Bix, Punjaub, 1846 ; nineteen, New Zealand, 1846 ; and there are representatives living of every campaign since, including 240 Crimea and 150 Mutiny.'