SALVATION ARMY’S 75th ANNIVERSARY IN OXFORD

Press, Issue 29236, 21 June 1960, Page 23

SALVATION ARMY’S 75th ANNIVERSARY IN OXFORD

The Oxford corps of the Salvation Army win celebrate its seventy-fifth anniversary later this month.

The Salvation Army began its work in Oxford on July 2, 1885 with the coming of two men officers from the Flying Brigade. The Flying Brigade was established by the Salvation Army’s pioneer leader in New Zealand, Captain George Pollard. The aim of the brigade was to reach the people in remote country districts.

A two-horse caravan was fitted out with bunks, the sides being painted brightly and boldly in yellow, red, and blue with the words “The Salvation Army.” Two blood and fire crests and a number of Scripture quotations were also painted on'the caravan. Captain Dave Patrick, a converted cabby, was in command of the venture. He was assisted by another officer and two cadets (officer trainees).

One of Patrick’s assistants was an able cornetist, another played the concertina. It was this group that began a probe at Oxford. When the brigade was satisfied that the Oxford area had possibilities Captain Patrick and Lieutenant Holdaway remained for a few months to launch the new corps. They stayed only a brief time before being replaced by others appointed to be corps officers.

Little is known of the earlyday events, but there are residents in the district who recall some of the excitement that the coming of the army caused. Unlike many places there was little in the way of persecution.

Two present day. Salvationists who can remember many of the early doings are Mr William Morris and Mr Richard J. Rossiter. Mr Morris, though only a young child, can remember the opening. The first meetings were held in the East Oxford Town Hall. These were the days when Oxford had two townships, East and West Oxford. In common with other places the army was to be found very often holding street meetings. They would do this at West Oxford after marching all the way from the East Oxford Town Hall. Cottage meetings were also held at Bryan’s cottage on the Terrace.

Many of the people attending in those days came from the sawmills, then scattered all over the district The Oxford corps has a close link with the original famines. To a very marked degree the first Salvationists were influenced by the army music and went to the meetings that were different because of the use made of typical army music. Even today, though the town of Oxford has less than a 1000 in population, the band numbers 14 players. When the present hall was built, a bottle was found in the foundation of the original barracks, containing a’“War Cry” dated October 6, 1885. A statement named a Mrs Bassett as the person who laid the foundation stone for this and the number 32 Corps for New Zealand. Perhaps the most interesting find of all was the copy of the contract between the army and Mr George Heatts for the building of the hall. The total cost was £133 ss.

Th« present hall, situated on the same site in the centre of the town, was opened in December, 1 957- It is still one of the most delightful army halls in New Zealand. The timber used was locally grown Oregon and larch milled by Mr H. Dailey, a local Salvationist.

The officers’ residence was opened in October in 1954. To meet a long-felt need in the army, and district, a youth building is at present being constructed. A local Salvationist gave a military building that was demolished and brought from Birdling’s Flat and has been extended to make a building 45ft by 24ft. Almost all the work is being done by voluntary labour, and it is hoped that the building will be ready for youth activity before the end of the year.

The seventy-fifth anniversary meetings are being held on Saturday and Sunday. June 25 and 28. Brigadier and Mrs L. B. Tong will conduct these meetings. On the Saturday night there is to be a reunion and tea held in the Coronation Hall, and this is to be followed by the showing of two films, “Workers together with God,” and “Rim of the Wheel.” All monetary gifts from these meetings are to go to the new youth hall. The present corps officers are Captain and Mrs Gordon Brinsdon.