SINS OF AUCKLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 220, 15 August 1928, Page 2

SINS OF AUCKLAND.

A DAY OF MOURNING

SALVATION ARMY’S PROPOSAL.

AUCKLAND, Aug. 15. A day of mourning for the sins of Auckland is included in the comprehensive programme of services arranged by the Salvation Army on the occasion of the opening of the new Congress Hall in Grey’s Avenue on August 25. Friday, August 31, will be observed as the day of mourning. At 8 p.m. a procession of mourning will proceed up Queen Street from Queen’s Wharf to the new liall, where Commissioner James Hay, the head of the army in New Zealand, will deliver an address on “The Damning Sins of Auckland.” The procession will consist of from CO to 80 of the women officers of the Auckland corps, attired in flowing mourning robes and proceeding at the slow march. The band of the city corps, which will lead the mourners, will play a series of funeral marches, such as the “Dead March” in “Saul,” Chopin’s “March Funebre,” and the “Garland of Flowers.” In addition to the women mourners there will probably be a number of other members of the army in attendance. Explaining the nature of the procession, Major A. J. Miles, secretary of the divisional headquarters in Auckland, said such a demonstration had been held in Wellington about 12 months ago. It had created widespread interest there and had been witnessed by thousands of people. Friday evening had been chosen particularly for the time of the procession, because Queen Street was always crowded with people on this night, and many people who would otherwise take no interest in the matter would have the opportunity of-ob-serving it. By means of the procession it was hoped to awaken the people of Auckland from their lethargy in respect of their duty toward God. Such an event could not fail ■to make people think, and that was the chief need to-day. Questioned as to the chief sins of Auckland, Major Miles said lie was not in a position to refer to such a subject, which was to form the basis of Commissioner Hay’s address. He could only say that an address by Commissioner Hay on such a subject would be of great value, as he was a speaker who never exaggerated in an effort to create a stir and whose addresses were always based on facts. The other services in connection with the opening of the Congress Hall are the opening ceremony, to be preformed by the Governor-General, Sir Charles I’ergusson. on Saturday, August 25, a special series of services: on the Sunday following, and different meetings, lasting until Sunday, September’ 16. In addition to Commissioner and Mrs Hay many prominent army officers will be present from all paris of New Zealand, and 45 cadets from the south will be ■in Auckland for a month to assist at the services.