New Zealand Soldiers’ Entertainment Facilities

Blue Light, Volume 1, Issue 1, 29 November 1940, Page 3

New Zealand Soldiers’ Entertainment Facilities

Local Residents’ Unceasing Efforts

Local residents have done a great deal toward providing entertainment facilities for New Zealand troops. From the time in early October when troops first began arriving on the island, committees were set up to plan the formation of soldiers’ clubs, to organise outings and functions for the men of His Majesty’s Forces, and generally to look after the welfare of the men during their stay here. Plans for the promotion of the troops’ welfare are still being formulated, and several organisations are in the process of formation in outlying districts of the is.and.

~ d — o Shortly after the outbreak of war local business men inaugurated, a Defence Comfort Fund with which to provide games, reading matter, canteen necessities, wireless sets and other comforts for local and oversea troops stationed on the island. Arrangements were also made for the entertainment of members of the Army, Navy and Air' Force passing through the island. This included a scheme for taking men on motor trips to various points of interest. The St. Andrews’ Club was the first to entertain soldiers.' It was open the first Friday after the arrival of the 18th Army Troop. The New Zealand Club, which opened on October . 21, was next, and about a week later the Catholic Welfare Organisation opened a soldiers’ club. Commenting editorially on the opening of soldiers’ clubs, the “Times and Herald” of October "22 said: “. . . An afternoon’s leave may be spent in various ways, but there is generally a blank half hour or so to be filled in somewhere, and in this tropical climate, particularly when the hot weather comes along, a restful place and some light reading would be greatly appreciated. Local citizens have a definite responsibility in this connexion and we will have to rise to the occasion in providing relaxation for men who will welcome a break from camp surroundings and who will enjoy meeting people outside their military environment . . . it is up to citizens to provide the friendship which so many men will appreciate. ...”

ST. ANDREW’S CLUB

When the 18th Army Troop arrived the congregation of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church extended their usual Friday night social gathering to include soldiers. At present functions are given for soldiers from 7.30 o’clock till 10 on Friday evenings, and between about 8.15 and 10 o’clock after the Sunday evening service. They are held in the hall behind the church which is on the corner of Gordon and Goodenough Streets, two blocks down from Battalion Headquarters in Goodenough Street (up from the N.Z. Club.) The club contains a ping pong table and other games are available. Competitions are conducted during the evening and later it is hoped to introduce musical items. Fret suppers are served each evening about 9 o’clock. Later the club may open at 7 o’clock on Friday evenings instead of at 7.30 as at present.

NEW ZEALAND CLUB

Though it opened unobtrusively, the New Zealand Club has been steadily growing in popularity. It is always packed out, and always the crowd inside are singing and laughing and playing ping pong and bobs and darts.

Members of the Vestry of the Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral lent the parish hall to the club committee for the duration.

Situated in Hercules Street, the club, which is undenominational and which is supported entirely by local residents, is open on week days from about 3 p.m. till 10 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon till 10 p.m. It contains a good selection of magazines and books, three ping pong tables, and a variety of games. Writing materials are available, and there is an excellent canteen. A barber’s shop is run in conjunction with the club and two ironing boards have been installed. The club also contains a piano and a radio.

C.W.O. SOLDIERS’ CLUB

The Catholic Welfare Organization Soldiers’ Club was officially opened on Monday, November 4, 1940, by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Harry Luke, K.C.M.G. Attractively laid out, the club, which is undenominational, is situated in the spacious crypt of the Catholic Cathedral, Pratt Street (opposite the Bank of New South Wales), and is open on week days from ' 4 p.m. till 10 p.m.; on Saturdays, from 2 p.m. till 10 p.m.; and on Sundays, from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m. Besides a full sized billard table, there is a large variety of games including a table tennis set. Writing materials are also available. A canteen is conducted in the club, and is open from 6 o’clock till 10 every evening. Other facilities include a piano and a well stocked library. Later it is hoped to organize dances and social evenings. —DUNCAN CAMPBELL.