SALVATION ARMY.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 55, 21 February 1913, Page 5

SALVATION ARMY.

COMMISSIONER RICHARDS' VISIT. Commissioner Richards, the newlyappointed head of the Salvation Army in the Dominion, arrived in Balelutha yesterday, and was tendered a civic welcome in the Oddfellows' Hall in the afternoon. There was not a large attendance, owing, no doubt, to the people taking advantage of the evening meetings to hear the Commissioner. Seats on the platform were occupied by Commissioner Richards, Brigadier Bray (head of the social branch in New Zealand), and Major Toomer (divisional secretary), the Mayor (Mr D. Stewart), Mr Malcolm, M.P., and Councillor G. W. Wood.

The Mayor briefly introduced the j Commissioner to the audience, and re- ! ferred to the great work carried on by the Salvation Army throughout the world, especially in their dealings with , the "submerged tenth." Mr Stewart ; also referred in fitting terms to the loss the world had sustained some months , ago by the death of General Booth. Speaking of, the local branch of the Army, he referred in eulogistic terms to tne work of the local lady captain in charge, ami of Mr Tsukigawa. Mr Stewart concluded by extending a very hearty welcome to the Commissioner and to those associated with him. |

Mr Malcolm, M.P., spoke in congratulation on what he considered an extraordinary change in public feeling in favour of the Army. He referred to the time, very many years ago, when they could have seen in many towns a few noble men and women followed and molested by a set of hoodlums. He thought the change was ample proof of the estimation in which the Army was held. He was pleased to be associated in welcoming to the town and district the leading representative of a band of workers who had done a nol,)le and splendid work in the interests of humanity.

Councillor Wood also spoke in weL come.

Commissioner Bichards, who is a fluent and able speaker, thanked them for their welcome. He considered the Army was deserving of all the good things said in its favour. He had been stationed in the Far North, and had now com!? to the South, while lie had held many stations between the two, and he considered there was no better class of sol lier or officer anywhere than they had in New Zealand. The Commissioner spoke of the "people's palaces" the Army were building in the cities, and of the training college for cadets which they were to erect in Wellington as a memorial to their beloved General who had gone. They had now £BOOO out of the necessary £IO,OOO for this latter work. He paid a tribute to the abilities of the new general, and said the good work would suffer no decline under the new control.

Brigadier Bray spoke briefly on the social work of tlie Army, and thanked those present for their hearty welcome to the Commissioner, which was much appreciated by the rank and file. In the evening there was a wellattended tea, at which tables were supplied by the ladies of the Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist churches, in addition to the Army. Later there was a very enjoyable public meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall, when the various speakers were listened to with evident i appreciation.