SALVATIONISTS RELAX

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1939, Page 5

SALVATIONISTS RELAX

FOOTBALL AND SNAIL RACES LONDON, August 19. An air of relaxation descended yesterday on the Clapton Congrses Hall. This was the fourth day of the meeting of the Salvation Army’s High Council, convened from all parts of the world to elect a new General. Soldiers forming the guard, whose duty it is to prevent unauhtorised persons from passing through the high outer gates, or entering the hall, indulged for a while in football. Simultaneously a number of people indirectly concerned with the secret assembly organised a series of snail races. Snails of a magnificent type abound in the undergrowth and on the walls of the grounds, so there was no difficulty in obtaining a good field. The principal race was won by a- promising two-month-old named Festina Lente. Festina Lente was retained by an American. He stated that he intended to have it. photographed and kept as a symbol of the rate of progress being made by the High Council, still engaged—as officially announced —in the discussion of “its methods of operation.” In comparing the speed of the Commissioners with that of the gentle creatures inhabitating the grounds, no criticism —much less disrespect—is implied, for their present situation is one of extraordinary difficulty. For four days the Council has debated matters which, though only preliminaries to Hie real business of nomination, are of such vital importance that they cannot bo rushed. The solo business that the Council is authorised to do. under the Foundation Deed, is io elect a Head. But there is a general anxiety to relieve the General of much of his —or her—autocratic control of financial ami administrative mtittoi-t: and the delegates are attempting io devise means of achieving this reform without violation of the Deed.