SALVATION ARMY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2440, 20 April 1915, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY

JOY CARNIVAL AT -THE TOWN HALL

THE CHILDREN'S NIGHT

Tho Salvation Army's annual confess was continued at tha Town Hall last evening, wnen the children of the Army supplied a really worderful programme, which reflected infinite credit on the initiative and patience of its organisers. The childron occupied the whole of the choir seats, their bright races and equally bright dresses making a picture good to look upon. As for no rest of the hall, the seating accommodation was woefully inadequate for all who Wished to witness the great carnival of juvenile joy, every point of vantage being taken up with those prepared to penalise themselves by standing throughout the long programme. Commissioner H. C. Hodder presided, supported by Mrs. Hodder, and the Chief secretary (Lieut.-Colonel Powley). After the opening hymn and prayer, the united children sang lustily ''Young New Zealand Bids You which, was no half-hearted welcome. The full choir also sang "Childhood," "Sing, Children, Sing,'' and "Tell Me the Story of Jesus." The girls of the Wellington Home, a bright, bonny lot, sang the company song, "Sound and Colour, both of which figure largely in the policy of the Army's attack on the arch enemy. They also appeared in. the lesson song, "The Army Flag," in which they swore allegiance to the New Zealand flag,_ with all the fervour of Colonel Robin's Armv, and were seen in the pretty flag drill The tiny tots from boutb Wellington charmed everyone in their action song, "Butterflies," and the Boys' Band of the same division played promisingly. Tho lads of the Island Bay Home, neatly costumed in white sweaters and shoes, sang their way (with action) through the duties and pleasures of the day. The Eltham boys made a pleasirg impression m. their massed Indian club' drill. Later tjey gave a fine exposition of Swedish drill, and also appeared in a series of cleverly arranged tableaux. The Wellington Young People appeared in tho vocal allegory, "The Christian Armour," in which a brave young knight was caparisoned piecemeal in golden armour, in which he was thereafter to fight the good fight. The dramatic spirit of the finale was marked by shouts of laughter, owing to the unrehearsed descent of the lad's armoured petticoat, jußt when he was in the act of striking an heroic pose. Another success was achieved in the duet "When You Go to War, Papa," in which' a Highland soldier takes leave of his children before going to the front, and returns a few mo-' merits later, looking like a Caton Woodvilla sketch of a Tommy who has done and dared 1 . Still another interesting item was the allegorical sketch, "Red Riding Hood and the. Wolf." Miss Maudie Hoare recited "Will there be any Stars?" the' Milbirnie youngsters' made good fun out of "The Hallelujali Railway," and the Sydenham Band contributed a selection. Before the entertainment commenced the • Wellington City and Sydenham Corps' Bands played a number of selections.