SALVATION ARMY HIGH COUNCIL AT SUNBURY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6807, 10 January 1929, Page 7

SALVATION ARMY HIGH COUNCIL AT SUNBURY

Commissioner Hay Presides ELABORATE SYSTEM OF WHISTLE SIGNALS GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST. Australian Press Association. LONDON, Jan. 8, The High Council' of the Salvation Army was attended by delegates from all parts of the, world, and it met at Sunbury with tho object of determining whether General Bramwell Booth is in a fit physical and mental condition to continue to command. After prayers and the familiar Salvation Army hymn had been sung, “It is mine to rise when Thou Dout call me,” Commissioner Hay, of New Zealand, took tho chair. The council adjourned for three-quarters of an hour to enable tho various sections to consider the terms of the resolutions which it is proposed to bring forward. Directly the adjournment was announced Mrs Catherine Booth and Commissioners Laurie aud Kitchino motored-to a villa near Sunbury Court, which Mrs - Catherine Booth has hired for the duration of the conference. Colonel Mary Booth, representing Germany, also motored to tho villa for a short conference. Their movements intrigued a big crowd, which gathered to watch the assembly. All the leaders arrived in motor-cars, and wero stopped at the entrance, where an elaborate system of whistle signals had been arranged, a long blast meaning “Someone challenged, found all correct;” two blasts meaning “Doubtful; messenger urgently' needed;’’’three blasts being the emergency call.

■ Some unauthorised persons attempted to rush the guards. In one case a man climbed over a high wall, but patrols discovered and ejected him. The High Council adjourned until tomorrow. Nono of the delegates was allowed to leave Sunbury Court. The gates’were locked at 7 o’clock, and none was admitted.

It is officially announced that the Council spent the day setting up necessary committees to deal with finance and other formalities. Ono computtee deals .with press matters, and prepares a daily bulletin. . Each of the three sessions was opened with prayer. At the first a message expressing love and sympathy in his illness w r ,as sent to General Booth. It is officially stated that residence' at Sunbury is not compulsory.