COLONIAL TROOPS CLUB.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Srn,—Though unwilling to take up your valuable space by any words of mine, I am desirous of enlisting your sympathy in a club that is being organised for Colonial troopers. At the time of the Jubilee Colonial soldiers landed upon our shores to take part in the Imperial pageant through London, and this year, for obvious reasons, many more Colonial soldiers are arriving to share in the triumph of our King and of our Empire. During the Jubilee of 1897 the Colonial soldiers who came to take part in the procession were welcomed and cared for, but there was one want, and that want was put into words • by one of the soldiers themselves : " Everybody is very good to us ; they feed us, they give us drinks, they entertain us ; but there isn't a place where we can sit down quietly for half-an-hour to have a chat or write a letter." There literally was not a house in all our vast London which they could treat in any sense as home. It was given to a woman to note this deficiency and with more than womanly energy to set about to remedy it. Miss Violet Brooke-Hunt undertook the task of providing a club for the Colonial troopers during the Coronation-time. With characteristic promptness she laid her plan before the Colonial Secretary and the Secretary for War, and received the immediate and warm support of both Ministers and the Departments they represent. Having ascertained that her plan was regarded with favour in high quarters, she proceeded to collect a body of co-workers and to secure premises suitable to the scheme.
The old Empress Club in Dover Street, recently vacated by its ladies in favour of a newer building next door, was selected and settled upon. Then came the question of finance. Miss Brooke-Hunt enlisted the services of Mr. Parker-Smith, M.P., and myself as treasurers, and we quickly interested our friends in the scheme, and induced them to subscribe the necessary wherewithal. A committee keen for work was enrolled, and Mr. Marcus Hill-Trevor volunteered his help as secretary. With the Prince of Wales as president, Lord Roberts as vice- president, and General Eaton as chairman the work was sure to be carried through with success. Money was given by many with generosity, and gifts in kind, such as furniture, wall-papers, pictures, billiard tables, soda-water, wine, beer, cigarettes, and provisions, were made. The Colonial Office gave £500, and the War Office provided beds and bedding. Fifty beds will be available each night for men on pass, and Miss Brooke-Hunt has promised to act in the capacity of lady- superintendent of the club. Everything has been done to make the club home-like and comfortable, the membership is free, the restaurant arrangements are well planned, and break- fasts, luncheons, and suppers will be served daily at very reasonable rates. Concerts have been organised for Sunday evenings throughout the time that the Colonial troopers will be in England, and many artists, including Mrs. Kendal and Mr. Beerbohm Tree, have come forward to offer their services. The club will form a convenient meeting ground for the Agents-General and the men of the Colonies they represent. Mr. Chamberlain has promised to open the club formally on Friday, June 6th. We look forward to the advent of the Colonial troopers for whom it is prepared, and shall be well recompensed if they are able to take back with them to their distant oversea homes kindly recollections of pleasant days spent in the heart of the Empire on the occasion of the crowning of H.M. King Edward VII.—I am, Sir, &c., ARTHUR BIRCH.
lWe heartily congratulate Sir Arthur Birch and his col- leagues on their patriotism and good sense in establishing the Colonial Troops Club, which cannot fail to be a great boon to the troopers. However full of energy and " go " a man may be, he cannot be "doing London" all day. The club, we have no doubt, will double the pleasure of their visit to the troopers, and when they are again scattered throughout the Empire they will often look back with pleasure and interest to their quarters in Dover Street. That will be a pleasant reflection to all who have helped to found and maintain the club.—ED. Spectator.]
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