THE SALVATION ARMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9078, 12 June 1888, Page 5

THE SALVATION ARMY.

A NATIVE CONTINGENT.

CAMPAIGN IN THE KING COUNTRY. [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Monday. The Salvation Army have decided to Bend a " Native Contingent" into Maoriland, beginning the campaign at Upper Whanganui, and making their way right through the King Country, where in all probability they will go to the North among theNgapuhi. The contingent will consist of "Captain" and Mrs. Holdaway, who left to-day for Wanganui, where they will be joined by "Lieutenant" De Blois, a half-caste. Yesterday a presentation of colours was made to the contingent at the Salvation Army Barracks in the presence of 2000 people, by Mrs. Taylor, who, with her husband "Colonel" Taylor, have recently arrived from India. Mr. Buxton, M.H.R., was on the platform, and the Hon. Mr. Mitchelson in the body of the hall. Three Maoris addressed the meeting in native costume, one of them having been one of Te Koott's prisoners at Poverty Bay. A large collection was taken up for the new Maori mission. To-day Mr. Goldie accompanied a deputation from the Army, consisting of" Col." Taylor and "Major" Lovelock, to the Minister of Pubfic Works, with a view of seeing if they could get a similar privilege to that accorded to the Army in Australia, viz., a free pass for one of them on the South Island Railway, and one for the other on the North Island Railways when engaged in Rescue work for their Homes for tho Fallen and Prison Brigade work, these two tickets, of course, only being used for such work, and not transferable. It was pointed out that " Major" Barker had such privileges on tho New South Wales, South Australian, and Victorian lines, while the Victorian Government gave a grant in aid of £300 per annum to the work. The deputation stated they had four homes in the colony, and spent £500 a-year in rent of buildings and salaries in rescue work.

Mr. Mitchelson (who apparently was favourably impressed with what he witnessed at the Barracks on Sunday afternoon) expressed himself as personally favourable to granting the privilege desired, and requested the officers to put in a formal application, when he would bring the matter before the Cabinet.