THE SALVATION ARMY

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16304, 4 August 1917, Page 4

THE SALVATION ARMY

GREAT DAY AT TEMTJKA; The Temuka. Corps of the Salvation Aimy had a beautiful afternoon on Thursday for tho carrying out of .important ceremonies in connection with their organisation. At 3 p.m. the AYatt-Lowry School for the boys at the B ram well Booth Home at Green Haves was opened by Comissioner Hoaoer, and lator in the afternoon the Commissions opened now halls and officers' quarters in King Street, these ceremonies being followed by a tea, concert, and lecture in the evening.

WATT-LOWRY SCHOOL. 'There was a fair attendance at the Boys' Home function. Apologies were received from many leading citizens of the district who were unabie to be present, and wishing the school everv success.

Commissioner Hodder, before opening the school, said it was not being opened be/.au.se they were not satisfied with the publi/- school, or were at variencc with the public schools in aiiv way. But they have room for jOO bovs", and experience had taught them that they can help the boys'better if they had'them under their control from the time they wako in the morning until they go to bed at night. They would train the boys to be good citizens in every way, and make, them-efficient to face the world. Many boys had gone from the Eltham Home to take positions in the Government service, and some had gone to the war. They had all kinds of boys in tho homes, boys from good families, and boys from poorer families, and boys whose fathers had gone to fight in the war. All the boys here were doing well, and be wa,s sure they will turn out good men ; they were comfortable, and well looked after. Some people said it was a pity to break up homes to take boys into the homes, but that was not done. A Board sits every week and decides whether a, child should be taken; there were many children who had no home to he broken up. There was plenty oc seop-j for such an institution a.s this.

The Commissioner explained that the school was a gift from a lady in .Hastings, Mrs Watt-Lowry. In writing to him about the opening sire hoped that there would be a great many boys of noble character sent out from the Home. The school was named after her, and_ on her behalf he .bad much pleasure in opening the school and inviting all present to enter and inspect it. The school was opened with a handsome silver key, bearing the following inscription: "The Salvation Army Boys' Home, Temuka. Key used for opening the Watt-Lowry school, 2nd August, 1917." The key will be? sent to Mrs Watt-Lowry.. The school is situated at the north

side of the Homo and is a handsome building of wood, with tiled roof, and I I'ieasures 40ffc by 30ft. There are 50 single desks inside, ar.d room for 90 children if necessary. There is a large asphalted playground and all necessary out-buildings. THE TEMUKA HALLS. ' A very fair gathering attended the official opening of the new Salvation buildings, situated in King Street. For some time past the old building which has been used by the Temuka uionists has been regarded as unsatis- j factory and not convenient enough for i their needs. With a viow to providing better and more up-to-date barracks and officers' dwellings a canvass of the district was made by Adjutant Dickson and Captain Dunne, the latter then in./charge a: the local corps. These efforts met with great success, no less than £2OOO being promised. Musical selections were given by the local band assisted by some friends from the other districts outside tho buildings, prior to the opening. ■ Commissioner Hodder, after some remarks on the religious purpose of tho building, thanked Mr Bates for his splendid gift of the fibrous plaster ceiling, complimented the architect, Mr G. Young, on the design, and thanked all friends who had contributed, and those also who had promised donations. These they would be pleased to receive at their earliest convenience. The flag on the building was then unfurled amid choers, and the building was opened. i After a hymn and prayer the Rev.

C. McDonald gave a interesting ad< dress, and on behalf of the Presbyterians of Temuka lie congratulated the Salvation Army on the handsome building, and haped it-would be the beginning of greater things. The Seniors' Hall'stands at the corner of King and Wood Streets, fronting 1 King Street, a very central position. II is built of brick with tile roof. The hall measures"4Bft by 32ft, height 18ft. The ceiling is of fibrous plaster, plain,

in 4ft sections, and was the gift of Me C. Bates. The ,puatiorm at the east end is 14ft by 22ft. The hall will a/> commodate about- 240 people, is neat, comfortable and well finished. At tb« rear on the south side is a bandsmen'* room, 18ft by 10-J-ft. Next to this 'is

J a "sisters' " room, 16ft by 101 ft. On I the north side of this is the officers' ] room, 10ft by lOift, The Juniors' hall 36ft by 30ft, is af> the rear "of tlni Seniors' hail and faces Wood Street. llt is built of wood with iron roof. Atf I the rear are three rooms, one measnr< ing 18ft by 12ft, and the. others. 12i't by lift. On the north side of tlirf Seniors' hall arc the officers' quarters.: The bouse is a neat 5-roomed bungnlow, with all necrssa.ry outbuildings, fiiy everything is finished in up-to-date style. The cost of the buildings was: Land £5lB los, legal expenses £lB ]la 3d. erection of building £2120. overseer and extras £SO, total £2812 6s 3d. Cash received £1435 3s 2d, fui-tlipp amount promised £250, total £1685 3? 2d, le-avinp; a deficit of £I2OO. Air. appeal will bo made shortlv to clear this off. ■ ' A public tea was civen at 5.30, at: whicli tboro was a inrge attendance, nud Commissioner Hodder delivered a lecture on the Salvation Army WarWork in the evening, in the new ball.