SALVATIONISTS FAREWELLED

Evening Star, Issue 19330, 17 August 1926, Page 2

SALVATIONISTS FAREWELLED

COMMISSIONER AND MBS. EIOGGAED A great, volume of song and music filled the Salvation Army Citadel at the commencement of last night’s fare-, well function to Commissioner and Mrs Haggard, who are leaving the dominion after having,been in New Zealand lor four years. ‘ Onward, Christian Soldiers,’ was sung ronsingly by the big assemblage, the voices being nccompaifed by the band. The note struck during tho night was of hope mingled suitably with regret. Colonel Knott presided. Colonel Knott said that Commissioner and Mrs Hoggard’s week-end visit had inspired confidence and earnestness. During their four years' command they had been faithful in tho great charge that God and tho Salvation Army had laid upon them, and were loved by people throughout tho length and breadth of the dominion. Commissioner Hoggard, in New Zealand, had caused something tangible to bo done for tho people. His many kindly forethought and actions had resulted, for one thing, in tho officers’ lot being made much easier and more pleasant. When the Commissioner and his wife left the dominion they would carry away not only sweet memories of opening certain homes for old folk and service in multitudinous ways, but also the kindly feeling of New Zealand’s Salvationists. The speakers who supplemented the chairman’s remarks were: Envoy Hnghson (representing local officers of the division), Ensign Shcrson (young people of Otago and Southland), Adjutant M'Lauchlan (Scout officers), Captain Montgomery (City Corps), Commandant Baker (Anderson’s Bay Rest Home), and Staff-captain Baltimore (Division Headquarters). Mrs Hoggard assured the people of her very deep regret that the occasion was the last on which she would see them. She would not easily forget her associations with New Zealand. She had had four very happy years in the dominion. Her frequent travellings she had enjoyed very much, and they had been no hardship, for the country had always a charm for her. All the officers she eulogised. She had a family of live, and throe of her children she had not seen for seven years, and she was looking forward to meeting them after leaving the dominion. It was fifty years or more since she gave her heart to God, and God bad never failed her, and would never fail the people. She thanked every - soldier and officer who had fought shoulder to shoulder with her husband and herself, and pleaded for faithfulness to the Array hero, mentioning that Salvation ism had been established in Dunedin forty-three years ago. Commissioner Hoggard thanked the speakers for their eulogistic farewell to Mrs Hoggard and himself. Christ had been misrepresented, and more understanding was wanted in some places today. He thanked the Dunedin Salvationists for the kindness they had lavished on Mrs Hoggard and himself. His wife and he did not know where they were going. Their children were all serving God to tho best of their ability. Mrs Hoggard and he wished to continue to work for God as best they could, even to the last chapter. Items weor supplied by City Corps members (orchestral), Deputy-band-master Judd and Miss E. Judd (instrumental), the Anderson’s Bay girls (drill), and the massed bands.