WELCOME AT THE RAILWAY STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 22

WELCOME AT THE RAILWAY STATION.

There was a great concourse of people at the Railway Station on Wednesday before the arrival of the 7.5 p.mt express from the south, by which General Booth was 'a passenger, and among those specially present to take part in the welcome to be accorded to the General were the Mayor (Mr T. R. Christie), Rev. Dr Nisbet (representing the Presbyterian Church), the Rev. R. Maekie (representing the Council of Churches), the Rev. Mr Heighway (chairman of the Congregational Union), .the Rev. Mr Laycoek (representing the Primitive Methodist Church), the Rev. Mr Brooke (representing the W-esleyan Church), Mr A. S. Adams (representing the Temperance Alliance), Messrs J. Allen, T. Mackenzie, T. K. Sidey, H. D. Bedford, J. JF. Arnold, M.H.R.'s, and Messrs J. F. M. Fraser and J. Wilkinson.

A few words of greeting passed as the General alighted from the railway carriage, and he then passed on his way to the carriage in waiting outside the station, on reaching which he was formally and briefly welcomed to Dunedin by the Mayor (Mr T. R. Christie).

General Booth, in the course of his reply to the welcome accorded him, said he was very glad to be in Dunedin again, and proceeded to pay a tribute to the beauty of the city. He then went on to say that he had come in order to attempt to stir up everybody, and urged people not to underrate themselves, but to realise their true value, to do the best for themselves and for their fellows. There was, he thought, every reason why they should welcome him, as he stood for authority, law, and righteousness, and another reason why they were glad to see him was on account of the wonderful organisation he represented.

Cheers were given for the General, and the carriage, followed by members of the Salvation Army, who turned out with their band in strong force, then moved on to the Salvation Army Barracks, where the General had a private conference and service with his officers and members of the Army. A great crowd followed the General's carriage up Dowling street as far as the Barracks. The meetine between the General and the Salvationists was a very large one, fully 350 officers and soldiers being- present. The proceedings, which were partly devotional and partly business in eharaeteJL were of a private nature. During his etay in Dunedin General Booth -will be the guest of\ Mr William Brown. This evening General Booth_ will address a public meeting at the Garrison Hall on "The Past, Present, and Future of the Salvation Army." His Worship the Mayor will pi-esfde. On Friday the General will 'hold three public meetings in the Garrison Hall.