ARRIVAL OF COLONEL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1870, 2 October 1913, Page 8

ARRIVAL OF COLONEL.

POWLEY. . <f OF SALVATION ARMY. MEMORIES OF THE GENERAL; TOUGHING SCENES.

It is not usual to hear the bright, brazen music of a. Salvation Army band at 7 a.m. oil a week-day, yet such an experience was possiblo to anyone within a quarter of a mile of the Queen's Wharf yesterday morning. The occasion was the arrival in 'Wellington of lieutenant-Colonel Albert E. Powley, tho newly-appointed Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army in New Zealand who succoods Colonel Fisher'. Ho ami his wife were welcomed by Commissioner Richards, the staff and other officers and members of the rank and iilo of the Army, and later proceeded to Ins new residence at Wellington South. There he was located by a Dohi.niox representativo, who found himself confronted by a tall, middle-aged man, with a palo,' thoughtful face, which lit up with enthusiasm when he spoke of tho work of the Army at Home. This is l'.is first experience of tho new world —one which lie welcomed—and he hopes to be. permitted to remain in New Zealand for.souio years at least.

Tho warmth of tho welcome which ho had received all along since he arrived at the Bluff had mado him feel at home, and tho hearty reception given him in Wellington had fairly astounded him. "Fancy them turning out at that hour," said, Colonel Powley, "and with the band. It fairly took my breath away I" Tha Years at Headquarters. "I have boon connected'with the Salvation Army," said tho secretary, "for twenty-eight years, and of that time I havo been 18 years in London. For fourteen years I was connected with tho National Headquarters Staff, and for tho past four years have been general secretary to the Army's International Training College in London. That is whero we trafn our officers for duty iu all parts of tho world. Perhaps I should not say tho whole. of the world, as wo havo not received officers from Australia or New Zealand, which aro rather remote places, but for work all over tho United Kingdom, the Continent, and in the mission fields, a strict, course of training is provided at the collego.

"When at headquarters I was for a time private secretary to General Bramwell Booth, when he was Chief-of-Staff, and was for'many years a member of the International Music Board, the committee which directs tho policy of the Army as far as its music is concerned. This is quite an important department of the Army's work, as wo have hundreds of bands all over tho United Kingdom, including some very fino ones."

The General—Touching Reminiscences. Did you see much of the late General Booth? "I came in contact with him a good deal when I was at tho National headquarters, and was privileged to sco liim a fow hours before ho passed away. I saw. lrim and kissed his forehead at 3 p.m., and ho died at 10 p.m. the same day—August 21 last. He was a great man —one of tho greatest the world lias known—and there was no one who knew him who did not love and respect him. His powers of organisation and gift of concentration were truly wonderful.

Kaiser's Wreath Came First., "I had a great deal to do with tho funeral arrangements. Ho lay in state in the great Congress Hall of tho College for four days, mourned' as though lie had been a king. It was my duty to announce tlio name of tlio prominent senders of wreaths. Of royalty; the Kaiser of Germany was the first, to forward a floral tribute; then camo others from His Majesty King George and' Queen Mary, Dowager-Queen Alexandra, ex-President Taft, and the Ambassadors. Over 70,000 visited the College during tho four days. There was one continual stream of peoplo through two entrances, past the bier, and out at the other end of the hall by two separate exits. It was an impressive scene, and one marked by many touching events. "Tlio funeral was not a very long one. It had to be restricted as there was no room for tlio people at the graveside. We tried to keep the number down to 3000 (two delegates from each corps and several selected bands), but there must have been 7000 people in tho cortege, not half of whom saw the graveside or heard a word of the service." Opening the Sealed Letter. How was the General's successor appointed? "Ho was not appointed. .The constitution of tlie Army provides that tho General shall nominate his successor, and tho late General had done so by means of a sealed package which ho had deposited at his lawyers some time before he died. No announcement had been made' by the General as to whom ho had appointed. Not even the lawyer knew. Before tho packago was opened it was handed round to the members of tho High Council tho day after tho General's death, in order to show that it had not in any way been tampered with, antt was there and' then opened. Of course we all pretty well know that Mr. Branvwell Booth was the man selected, but still there was tho chance of a surprise, and there was great interest in consequence. Bramwel! Booth May Coma Out Here. "Thanks to a wonderful organisation things went on smoothly just as though the master had not gone. Tho present General (added the Colonel) is a grand type of man, and a fit successor to the groat one -who has crossed the border. General Brannvell Booth has never been out in Australia or New Zealand, but wo hope to get him out here in 1915."

Lioutonant-Coloiiel Powley is to bo welcomed socially by the staff at the Constablo Streot barracks this evening.

A unique experience befell the Eev. W. Slade at Duuedin. He was sitting with his wife in tho dining-room of his residence, the front hall door being wide open, when a sound was heard as of something thrown at the verandah. Mr. Slade went to tho door and looked along tho verandah, but could see nothing, lie was about to close tho door, when Mrs. Slade suggested another look, she being sure something had been thrown on or near the verandah. ,On tho asphalt path which runs in front of the house a white packet was discovered, which, on being opened, was found to contain the sum of £25, accompanied by an unsigned note, requesting that tiie money should bo forwarded to the liev. W. A. Sinclair for tho orphanage scheme of'the Methodist Church.

Territorial eases for the past eighteen months, one of the most prominent features of suburban . Courts,_ are diminishing. At yesterday's sitting of the Hutt Magistrate's Court only 0110 Territorial was charged. His case was adjourned on the application of his solicitor till next Court day.

A "GOOD NAME." The quantity of "WHITE HORSE" is limited, and Mackio and Co. only supply approved firms, so jealous aro they of their reputation. The public should therefore hn cartful to nsk for "WHITE HQRSF, a " and.psa that jt.^Atht,.