THE VETERANS’ HOME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2220, 25 October 1907, Page 1

THE VETERANS’ HOME.

APPEAL POP MORE FUNDS.

(Special to Timos.) WELLINGTON, Oct Tho annual report of the teuperinteiulont of tho Veterans’ Home at Auckland lias been presented to the Hoard of Governors, and discloses a very satisfactory position. Tho average number of veterans in tho institution during the past year tvas 40, and accommodation for two additional veterans has been provided. The annual -subscriptions were not quite so numerous as in the previous year, but owing to tho invaluable eil'orts of Mrs. Wigram tho sum of £2OO was collected in Christchurch, and assured a successful year. Tho Government gavo a subsidy of £ for £ up to £SOO on voluntary contributions during tho year. Many of tho veterans aro in receipt of special campaign and other pensions, .anil havo contributed in proportion to their means towards their own maintenance. Xno estauiishincnt is conducted on tho lines of a comfortable homo. Tho invested funds havo been increased during tho past year from £O2OO to £ot/uu, tho laud, buildings, and furniture are all paid lor, tne clergy ol diiferent denominations most kindly hold services at tho Home, and medical men generously give the inmates the benefit of their siviii tree of cost. The legal business also has been clono gratuitously, it' is interesting to note that amongst tho veterans in the Home are men who served at the siege of Acre ill 1540, in tho New Zealand wars lrom 1545 onwards, in liurniah in 4552, m tho Crimea and the Baltic in 4564, and in the Indian Mutiny in 156 V, and in Ashanti, Afghanistan, and Egypt. Tho nverago of maintenance per resident is 12s 4jd per week, and as that sum includes uniforms, clothing, footwear, tobacco, etc., it is a proof of tho careful administration of tho Superintendent anti of tho excellent directions of tho Auckland Committeo. The Board is most anxious to double tho amount of the invested funds so as to place tho institution in an absolutely independent position, ‘ and to ensure a home in their declining years for deserving though poor soldiers and sailors of tho Empire living in the Dominion. Most of tho inmates in the future will of course be New Zealanders. An appeal is now made to the public to help theso endeavors, anil the Governors hope that many of those who could contribute a lew pounds annually without missing tho money will assist in such a good cause. When war commences we aro very proud of our brave defenders, and surely in the days of tlioir ago and adversity we should still remember them with gratitude.