SALVATION ARMY CONGRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5193, 26 December 1884, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY CONGRESS.

' The loaders of the Salvation Army in the Colouy have taken advantage of the present season for the purpose of holding a " con-__E_H_i_i_tf_^_rt-^i-rii_i_M_l_-HHJ

by that word, but appears to be rather a series of public demonstrations on a large scale. Delegates from all parts of New Zealand are present, and, presumably, any member of the Army is privileged to attend provided he pays his own expenses to and from his home. ' On the local soldiers devolves the work of entertaining tho visitors, and, to do them justice, this duty appears to have been performed right hospitably. The opening of the " congress " took place yesterday. At 10 a.m. the soldiers mustered at the Gaiety Theatre, and were marshalled in procession by their officers. About a dozen banners waved in advauce of the column, which was estimated to consist of some six or seven hundred persons, men and women, many of whom wore the uniform of the Army. Half-a-dozen bands belonging to the corps of various towns were included in the procession, which perambulated the principal streets, followed by a large crowd of spectators. The processionists gave vent to their enthusiasm by a good deal of cheering and waving of handkerchiefs, these demonstrations seeming to be particularly emphatic whenever the column was passing a publichouse, which was apparently looked upon as a citadel of the enemy. After marching down Manchester and High streets, the Army returned to Cathedral square, where it wheeled round in front of the Commercial Hotel amid an almost indescribable hubbub, the cheers of the " soldiers " and the clash of the half-dozen bands playing different tunes making a din suggestive of anything but heavenly harmonies. A start was then made for the Tuam street Hall, where a service was conducted by" Major" Howard, an officer recently arrived from England. The attendance was large, the body of the hall being filled, while the gallery, to which a charge was made for admission, contained a considerable number of people. No disturbance or interruption of any sort occurred during the proceedings.