SALVATION ARMY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 April 1910, Page 1

SALVATION ARMY.

OPENING OF THE BLACK BALI, BARRACKS.

The opening of (lie new Salvation Army Barracks at Blackball took place ■ on Saturday in ideal weather, a large crowd of Blackball residents being present. Hon. A. R. Guinness, M.P., performed the opening ceremony. A telegram was read from the Hon Mr. Marshall. M.L.C., regretting being unable to attend owing to sickness. The proceedings wore opened by everyone singing "0 God our help in ages past." Major Carmich then engaged in prayer. A right stirring address was given my Brigadier Albiston (Provincial Commander of the South Island). Then followed addresses by Captain Langdon (the representative of the local corps), Mr. A. J. Wickes (schoolmaster) and Rev. Mr. Perry. Thereafter the flag was hoisted, Hon. A. R Guinness briefly outlined the good work the Salvation Army had done lioi only in New Zealand, but in many other countries. He pointed out that four or live years ago when the potato famine took place with the Maoris that, Captain George Moore suggested to the Army what a good thing it would be to start the Maoris in the fishing industry. This the Army did, providing machinery costing over£9oo. What was the result? To-dav the boats all belong to the Maoris ami nearly all the machinery, they Inning been able in that time to pay off both'interest and I capital. Their fish is all frozen in solid ice and commands a good price in Auckland. He also outlined the present position of the Army in Now Zealand and gave details of the different departments. The Evangelistic Department consisted of eighty-nine stations or centres ami one hundred and sixty-two outposts attached to stations. Chore were two hundred and twentyeight officers wholly employed in this department and the people did not need to travel far to see the good work that was being done in ibis department. Right in their midst and all over the Coas; great good was being done everyday. The next work he touched on was the social reform work —girls and women's departments He said there wore two Homes of Hope for orphans and destitute, with accommodation for eighty-six. There were four rescue homes for fallen women, with accommodation for "eighty-eight. There was an inebriates home on Pakatoa Island with accommodation for fifty. He then came to the boys' and men's department. There was a boys' home for orphans and destitute with accommodation for sixty. There were five

men's prison gate homes am! shelter •-beds, with accommodation for three hundred and forty, and an inebriates le.iue with accommodation for one hundred and thirty. There were two chief officers in New Zealand, viz., Lieut. Col. Knight (North Island) and Brigadier Albiston (fo,- South Island). Mr Guinness fully explained to the large assemblage present the g ! all (lie different homes were doing for men and women and bovs and Ltirls. Tie wished to tlrnnk the Army officials for asking him to preside (bat .lay. as it was indeed a pleasure to him to come to Blackball ami help) in ;l ny way to assist in such a good work as the 'Salvation Army were carrying on. The contract price of the barracks was and of that amount £155 had been subscribed in the district : £lO from the Blackball Coal Company and £2OO from the Salvation Annv building funds. leaving £IOO yet to' 1„, raised. He was sure that it Captain Langdon was permitted to stay till} length of time in Blackball the building would be cleared off in a very few months. He then declared the buil.ling opened. The high tea was very largely attended.

At «ight o'clock the concert started, when the following programme was gone through. (Brigadier Albiston occupied the chair and introduced the different artists): - Opening song by the whole audience llvmn oo ; Major Carmicbael engaged in prayer; short speech by Mr. Guinness; pianoforte selection by Miss Y. Robinson ; company song In the Army choristers, •'What do the bells in the steeple say" ; song, Captain Langdon. "Calvarv ;" song. Mr. 15 ignell "Davy Jones' Locker;" instrumental duet, Mr. J. Coadwell ami Mr. Tom Moore ; son:'. Miss V. Robinson "Star of Belhelem :"

violin solo, Mr. .1. Leitch, "The Holy I Cil \ ; " chorus, lie- choristers, ''Peace i be "still;" 501,.. Mr. .1. Coailwell, "They | mockingly made him a crown of thorns :" recital ion by Mr. S. Whiteside '•Fighting Mac ;" song by Juvenile S. S. M lb opor "I .done the cross mu.t bear:" quartette. Blackball choristers; comic song, Brigadier A1!>;..,,„ !>;..,,„ "Oli whaf a difference in the j morning;" company song 'Tell it out with a shout ;" address by Major Carmichael ; song. Mr. 'l'om Moore. The better land." 11l the course of his remarks Brigadier Albiston said it had been a pleasure to him to preside over such a gathering. He. wished particularly to say that in alf the large centres of New Zealand, where it bad been his lot to 1t,., he had never listened to better talent, and seldom ever as good, as what he had heard that night. He asked all the audience to join with him in giving a. good hearty vote of thanks to tiu> different artists who had assisted in making the concert such a success. He also asked for a hearty vote of thanks to the Hon. A. R. Guinness and to the ladies who had assisted. These motions wore carried by acclamation. Meetings were held on Sunday, the barracks being well filled at each service. A concert lakes place to-night when the talent will come from Greymouth. The Greymouth Army band will be present.