WELCOME TO CADETS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 142, 12 March 1937, Page 2

WELCOME TO CADETS

Salvation Army Award For Mothers Thirty-four Salvation Army eadetN, who have arrived in Wellington from all parts of New Zealand to enter the Training College and undergo a course of preparation for officership, were publicly welcomed by Lt.-Commissioner F. Adams. Territorial Commander for New Zealand, in the Vivian Street Citadel last night. The new session of cadets will be known as “The Guardians of the Covenant.”

At the welcome meeting prayer was offered by Lt'.-Colonel F. Burton, field secretary.' and a Scripture portion was read by Adjutant K. Adams. The Wellington Citadel Hand played a march and a selection, and the new cadets, sang. Representative speakers were: Cadet Edna Gray (Dunedin division)._ Cadet Wesley Simpson (Christchurch d'vision). Cadet Jean Staples (Wellington division), and Cadet Winnifred Tatton (Auckland division). Commissioner Adams warmly welcomed rhe cadets and expwsed his hopes that they would complete their training successfully and become a valuable addition to rhe army's force of officers in the Dominion. Brigadier S. Smith, training garrison principal, accepted them for training and said that he and his staff would give of their best to serve the session. An event unique in army history in New Zealand followed when the commissioner presented the Order of the Silver Star to a number of mothers who were seated on the platform. Thin order has been inaugurated by General Evangeline Booth to honour mothers who have given sons or daughters as officers in the army. The badge of the order consists of a silver star on a blue enamelled sh'eld and is accompanied by an illuminated certificate of membership. Membership of the order is considered a mark of the army’s recognition of its indebtedness as well as its gratitude to the mothers. The 25 mothers of the Well'ngton district who received their stars last night are but a portion of the number throughout New Zealand who will receive them in the near future. They were evidently very proud and happt to be thus honoured. ’L’lie gathering concluded with a call by Lt.-Colonel Geo. Grattan, chief secretary, for consecration on the part ol all to the service of Christ