ELTHAM ARMY ANNIVERSARY

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1933, Page 6

ELTHAM ARMY ANNIVERSARY

ADDRESS BY COMMISSIONER. EARLY HISTORY OF MOVEMENT. There was a large attendance at the Salvation Army Hall, Eltham, on Tuesday night to welcome the head of the movement in New Zealand, Commissioner J. Cunningham. The Mayor (Mr. I. J. Bridger), who presided, expressed appreciation of the honour of presiding over such a large gathering. , Sir Walter Carncross referred to the old days, when people “turned up their noses” at the Army, and even threw mud at the “lassies,” but all was now changed. The Army was held in high esteem and respect and there were many of both high and low ranks who were only too pleased to associate with the organisation. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., cordially welcomed the commissioner and his officers. He possessed vivid memories of the days when the. Army first came to New Zealand 50 years ago. The army had not lost its old power, although it had grown “respectable” and it was doing an immense amount of good work socially, especially in the maintenance of its numerous h omes institutions. At Eltham there was the boys’ home, and he believed the Government would do well to hand over a lot more of this kind of work to the Army, which could do it a great deal better than the State. In asking the commissioner to address the meeting, the Mayor congratulated the Eltham corps on having attained its 39th anniversary. He expressed the residents’ appreciation of the good work being done locally, and recalled the great difficulties the pioneers had in laying the foundations of the movement at Eltham. instances like that of the late Envoy Jenkins, who donated the boys’ home. Mr. Bridger commended the strength of purpose that‘ had moved the founder of the Army, the late General Booth, and said New Zealand was to be congratulated in having such a man as Commissioner Cunningham at its head in the Dominion. GENERAL BOOTH’S LIFE. Speaking of the origin of the Army, Commissioner Cunningham said General Booth was born in 1839 at Nottingham, his parents being humble folk and his mother a Jewess. He resolved that he would spend his life in the service of Christ and his fellow men, so he gathered up the poor and the “riff-raff” and brought them to worship in the Methodist Church. For many years he was a local preacher at Nottingham, eventually taking up the same role in London, at the same time earning his own living as a worker. By the time he was 21 he received a guaranteed salary of £1 a week from a supporter, so he gave up his situation and studied for the Methodist ministry. When he married both he and his wife entered enthusiastically into his life mission and much of the success was unquestionably due to her influence, loyalty and co-operation. . - • Three times General Booth appealed for permission to undertake special evangelistic work among the non-church-going masses in the slums, but this being refused, he cut himself adrift from the church and went out into the streets preaching his message. Monetary contributions commenced to flow in, and gradually the organisation known afterwards as the Salvation Army was built up, but it was not until 1881 that the Army became established outside Great Britain. Fifty years ago Captain Pollard and Lieutenant Wright, accompanied by some officers from -Australia, arrived from London and started work at Dunedin. At Milton and Napier members frequently spent the night in gaol on charges of obstructing the traffic, but those days had, happily, gone. To-day there were in New Zealand over 400 branches with over 600 officer?. There were over 1000 bandsmen. In its homes the Army was equipping over 500 boys for the battle, of life, while extensive work was being done in the rescue of fallen women. Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, in moving a hearty vote of thanks, said he had always been a great admirer of the Army, and when he was Director-General of Health he had opportunity of realising the great amount of good accomplished, particularly in the Pauline homes for fallen women, and their maternity homes.. The doctor complimented the commissioner, whose magnificent work had impressed him more than that of any Salvation Army leader he had met in New Zealand. Musical items were contributed by the local Army band under Bandmaster F. Lynch, the boys’ home band under Major Perry, and the Salvation Army choir. Preceding the meeting a jubilee tea was held in the hall, where the tables looked very attractive. A birthday cake made and presented by Mrs. J. Williams was cut by Mrs. L. Naim, the oldest member of the Eltham corps. Adjutant Parkinson extended a cordial welcome to the commissioner and Mrs. Cunningham and visitors and thanked all who. had assisted the organisation on this anniversary occasion. NGAERE DISTRICT NOTES. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETS. I There was a full attendance at the monthly meeting of the Ngaere school committee on Tuesday evening. There were present Mr. J. F. Thomas (chairman), Messrs H. Clough, D. Simpson, J. Scott and R. Rowe (secretary). Mr. D. Simpson reported that necessary improvements in the shrubbery had been completed. The head-teacher (Mr. G. C. Harre) reported a roll of 66 pupils. He expressed appreciation of the services of Mesdames Brisco and Newlove and Messrs G. Addenbrooke, J. Arthur and J. Pennington in conveying the basketball and football teams to different matches. A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. Orr sen., who donated a cup for competition among the Ngaere children exhibiting calves of light breeds in the calf-rearing competition. It was decided to hold a concert early in August to augment school funds. Social Items, ;>

Mr. and Mrs. F. Pedersen and family have returned home after spending a short holiday at Kohimarama, Auckland. Mrs. Telford, Auckland, is the guest of her sister,' Mrs. T. Coleman, Cheal Road.

Mrs. J. Arthur is on a visit to Hamilton.

Mr. J. Harre sen., who has been on a visit to this district, has returned home to Auckland.

Mr. and Mrs. T. Walsh, who have been staying at Auckland, have returned to Ngaere.

Mr. and Mrs. H. Taylor have returned to Ngaere after a visit to Hamilton and Dargaville.

Mr. and Mrs. G. Addenbrooke are on a visit to Mr. Addenbrooke’s parents at Remuera, Auckland,

EARLY SETTLER'S DEATH. ASSOCIATION WITH TARANAKI. Having been among’ the first few settlers to take up land in the Ngatimaru survey district and one who was actively engaged in the development of the small farm settlement scheme in the eastern Taranaki districts, Mr. Thomas McElroy, who died recently, was a prominent figure in the early history of Te Wera. He was 72 years old. It was about 1894 that the smaU farm scheme was inaugurated in Stratford s back country, having been part of a Dominion-wide movement fostered by a reserve fund set up at the instigation of John McKenzie and Richard Seddon during the Liberal Party’s era of power. His experience in that country gained, for Mr. McElroy the position of subinspector under the Public Works Department to direct the development of the scheme. His whare at Whangamomona became a rendezvous for parties of surveyors and visitors so that Tom was soon widely known and was popular with those with .whom he came in contact. He was one of the first members of the Whangamomona County Council, which was formed in 1908, and in various ways he contributed a great deal toward the advancement of the district After his work in connection with the farm scheme Mr. McElroy 'returned to his section and farmed it until his death. He leaves a widow. GENERAL ITEMS. Knitted Jumper Won. ’• The knitted jumper and beret made and given by Mrs. J. Morrison, Stratford, as a prize for a • competition in aid of the Mayor’s relief fund, was won by Mrs. Ritter. Rawhitiroa Golf Teana. Following is the Rawhitiroa golf team to play Mangamingi at Rawhitiroa today: F. Belcher, D. Knuckey, F. Cave, F. O’Neill, J. McLaughlin, B. Jones, G. D. McGregor, S. Knuckey, S. Ford, ! S. Martin, W. Bootten and A. Phillips. Jollity Dance. The Old-time Jollity Club held another successful dance in the Eltham Parish Hall on Tuesday. Mrs. Attrill played, the music and extras were given by Mrs. A. Beesley, Mrs. A. Corkill, Miss C. Ruscoe and Mr. J. Sheehy. Monte Carlo dances were won by Mr. R. Edwards and Miss G. Ruscoe, Mr. A. McDonald and Miss M. Best. Mr. L. Nees was master of ceremonies. Rotten Egg for Mr. Bridger. The hostility encountered by the Salvation Army in its early days was recalled with some humour at the Eltham corps celebrations on Tuesday, when the chairman, Mr. I. J. Bridger, said that even in his day he could recall having stopped a rotten egg while in the ring formed by the Salvation Army Band. When as a young man he joined the Salvation Army band at Eltham he little thought he would ultimately have the honour of presiding over such a function as mayor of the town. “If you want to be mayor, join the Army,” Commissioner J. Cunningham advised the younger members of audience. MRS. JUDD SUCCUMBS. MOTOR ACCIDENT PROVES FATAL. The death occurred at Auckland on Tuesday afternoon of Mrs. Phoebe Judd, Rath Street, Eltham, who was recently Injured in a motor accident at Auckland while on a visit to her daughter. Mrs. Judd, who was 70 years of age, came to Eltham from the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa with her husband and had been in the district for 45 years. Her husband was one of the original settlers under the 10-acre allotment scheme at Rawhitiroa. Mis. Judd was a highly esteemed member of the Methodist Church, and she will be especially missed by members of the Eltham Bowling Club, it having been her custom for many years to serve afternoon tea at the pavilion. Her mother, Mrs. Catt, died at Eltham a few years ago at the age of 99 years. Mrs. Judd is survived by her husband, '54 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a family of six daughters and three sons: Mrs. Collett, of Swanson, who is still lying seriously ill at Auckland as the result of the motor accident which caused the death of her mother; Mrs. W. Morgan, Eltham, Mrs. J. Craig, Wellington, Mrs. Fred Walker, New Plymouth, Mrs. Harry Peters, Okato, and Mrs. Harry Petersen, Mt. Eden, Auckland, Mr. Ivan Judd, Meremere, Mr. Ted Judd, Puniwhakau, and Mr. Walter Judd, Sydney. One, daughter, Mrs. Harry Smith, Eltham, predeceased her. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Celtic Rugby Football Club’s annual ball is an attraction at the Stratford Town Hall to-night, and, judging by the arrangements made and the expressed intentions of Stratford’s younger set, the success of the function should be outstanding. The Midhirst concert programme tomorrow night will include selections by Mr. Charles Rogers’ orchestra, items by Miss Tui Macßae’s pupils in acrobatic dances, Misses Fake, Peebles, Mehrtens, Cartwright (2) and Markby, Messrs. Silver, Pollock, Hall and Fiyer-Raisher.

PUKENGAHU NOTES. PERSONAL AND GENERAL. The Pukengahu school children were granted a holiday on Friday to visit the Stratford show. Many entries were received from the district, while Messrs. Schwieters, Harris and Murpliy were appointed to the executive. The articles entered by the school children, attracted, much attention and were a fine example of their handwork. Several children were awarded prizes, and Mr. c °PP le ‘ stone's Sussex hen again carried off first prize in its section. The pupils of the Sunday school, are keenly interested in the marriage at Ngaere of two of their teachers, Miss Johnson and Mr. Partridge. Both are popular with the children and have given up much, of their time to instruck'Sr. R. Irwin was again selected for the Taranaki representative hockey team to defend the Nordon Cup. Mr Jim Walsh had the misfortune to sprain his ankle whilst playing m the Town versus County football match at Stratford last Thursday. . After residing for seven years m the district Miss Mavis Jacobsen has joined her family at MangoreL ' Miss M. Peacock and D. O Neill motored to Wellington for the week-end. Mr. Cleaver, Stratford, is visiting Mr. E. R. Wells. . ..... Mrs. Duncan McGuiness is visiting Manga toki. . 1 Mr. P. Patridge is a visitor to Waitara, where he is the guest of his parMiss E. Peacock is the guest of Mrs. H. Death, Wingrove Road. Mr- W. Rowe has been indisposed for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Schwieters are spending a holiday in the Auckland district. Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield are holidaymaking at Wellington. , . , .... Miss M. Collins made a brief visit to New Plymouth last week and to Dawson Falls last week-end to the “at home” of the Mt. Egmont Alpine Club. SCHOOL RUGBY SEMI-FINAL. MATAPU BEATS TOKO. Matapu defeated Toko in the semifinal of the school football championship at Eltham yesterday by 14 points to 9. TO-DAY'S RUGBY MATCHES. The first junior and third grade Rugby Union competitions in the central division will be continued to-day. Teams include the following:— Stratford third . grade team to play Inglewood, at Inglewood: Aitken, Lilley, Young, Schwieters, Dickson, Richards, Greaves, Tubby, Adams, McGrath, Berg, Pollard, Dawson, Collins, Gray.