A CHILDREN'S DISPLAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 268, 1 August 1918, Page 3

A CHILDREN'S DISPLAY

WARDS OF THE SALVATION ARMY. The Salvation Army held a demonstration in the Town Hull last night, the purpose of which as explained by Commissioner Hodder, was to show to the public how the pupils in Salvation Army schools are taught, to show that they are well grown, well disciplined, and well trained, in such fashion that they may grow into proper men and women, a credit to the Salvation Army and to tho Dominion. This object was fully achieved by tho demonstration. The performers were boys from the Eltham Farm School and girls from the Owen Street Institution. The boys, who aro already well known to anybody who has ever been to a Salvation' Army entertainment in Wellington, were especially good in all that, they did. The precision of their movements in physical drill was absolutely faultless, but it was scarcely less remarkable than the steadiness of the boys on and off parade. On tho stage they bore themselves like welltrained soldiers, and off the stage, when they wore waiting their turns to do things, they behaved as little gentlemen ought._ Their drill is amazing. How their instructor, Commandant Scotney, has succeeded in getting such results in. such little boys must be his own secret. The. work of these little lads would do credit to the smartest school cadets in the country, and there are in New Zealand some really smart • cadet,. corps. They did all the ordinary Swedish drill and Army free movements, and something more besides. For instauce, they gave a display in costume of "poi drill," remarkable for precision with the "tiny ball." They formed a series of pyramids which showed that the lads possessed astonishing nerve and strength. They sang a song about their farm at Eltham, and some of the boys have good tuneful Toices. The girls' work 'was less sneetoQnlar, but they also were well drilled and in perfect physical condition. Their skipping and marching displays were very pleasing, and also their other drill. Two little girls sang a • duet, and the whole chorus sang a bricht "action" song as if (hey really enjoyed the song. Other items on tho programme were contributed by the army bauds. , To say that the audience aDproved the displays is to use /i very weak term. The peonle wei'p full (if admiration for the work of the children, nnd aunlauded lpost generously every single item.