MAJOR ANNIE GORDON

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1935, Page 8

MAJOR ANNIE GORDON

RETIREMENT TODAY

SPLENDID SERVICE A CHORUS OF # PRAISE / [Special to " Northern Advocate"! AUCKLAND, This Day. “In the Salvation Army we do not retire to sit in an easy chair. We go on working in some form' or other. For the past 40 years I have worn the uniform of this army. That I shall continue to wear.” Thus spoke Major Annie Gordon at an official farewell tendered her at the Salvation Army Congress Hall in Gfey’s Avenue last evening,' on the eve of her retirement from active service, in acknowledging tributes paid to her work over the past 25 years. From today she will enjoy a rest from police court and social work in Auckland —work that has won appreciation from those to whom she has extended a' helping hand, and praise from officials who have had an opportunity of studying the fine results of her services. .

Major Gordon further stated that there was such joy in service that she failed to understand why those present had all spoken of the sacrifices she had made. It had been no sacrifice. Work never killed anyon&v she added, but many had died for want of it.

The hall was crowded for the function, and among those present were members of all sections of the Army and representatives of city, social and welfare organisations. , The first speaker, Adjutant V. J. Dick, said that during the past 25 years Major Gordon had taken many of the less fortunate people in the city under her wing. She had shared their and given comfort. Everyone in the Army extended to her their best wishes for the future. Auckland could ill afford to lose the services of a woman like Major Gordon, who had shown such unfailing sympathy and kindness to unfortunates, said Mrs. A. D. Campbell, president of the Y.W.C.A. She referred to the value of Major Gordon’s work in the relief of distress, and general Samaritan activities, and also drew attention to the fact that she had done an immense amount of work at the time of the Napier earthquake. She thought that Major Gordon had met every train which had brought to the city refugees from the stricken area. Praise for the retiring officer was also given by Major A. Hildreth, assistant Divisional Commander, Mr. Frank Crespin, the Rev. T. Halliday and Captain Thompson, of the Newton corps. Musical items were supplied by the Congress Hall - band, Newton Corps band, Congress Hall choir, and the girls of the Grange Road Orphanage.