STAFF-CAPTAIN DRY'S

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20495, 14 March 1932, Page 13

STAFF-CAPTAIN DRY'S

PROMOTION. TO TUB EDITOR OF THE PBESS. Sir, —The promotion of Staff-Captain Dry, of the Salvation Army Men's Home, Addington, to the rank of Major, which has just been officially gazetted, will be received with the utmost satisfaction by his hosts of friends in Christchurch. Since, his arrival in Christchurch a few

years ago, to take charge of the Men's Home, Major Dry has become conspicuous as one of the greatest, most indefatigable social workers the City has ever known. The work, at the Home has during the. last year or- two more than doubled, owing to the severe economic depression, but Major Dry can reflect with satisfaction that he has been able to carry out without a single lapse his promise made, when unemployment first became acute that no deserving man would lack food or .shelter while he had charge of the Home. The public have-generously- • supported Major Dry in his great work, r and he has been able to provide for thousands of men who would otherwise be homeless and foodless. More than a year ago he received a large house, adjacent to the Home, in which to lodge the steadily increasing number of applicants for shelter and food: Besides that, he converted' a large working shed into a dormitory with twenty beds. Major Dry began this great extra work without reserves or resources and his faith has been more than justified. The coming winter is certain to see the Home taxed more than ever, but the Major preserves the same serene faith, and carries on. Major Dry is an Australian in the prime of life and has been a member, and officer of the Army for between 20 and. 30 years. Hie forsook business to, join, the Army and, has since -served for it all over Australia and?in New Zealand. With • all his multifarious duties Major Dry might be described as the typical happy Christian, with a cheering word for everyone, and an intense sympathy with the bottom dog. It is hoped that his promotion will not" call him from Christchurch to other duties elsewhere, for the City -cannot afford to lose so valuable a social leader at a time of such- social unrest anu distress. —Yours, etc, GRATEFUL. March llth, 1932.