SALVATION ARMY CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 225, 17 June 1919, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY CONGRESS

CMLDKEX'S DEMONSTRATION. Last evening was intended to be the finale of the Jubilee Congress of the Salvation Army, and a young people's demonstration at the Town Hall was to enable everyone to bid farewell to Commissioner T. Henry Howard, but so many hundreds wero turned away from the doors that Commissioner Hodder decided to repeat the programme this evening. The Salvation Army children provided the entertainment, and a remarkably line one it proved. The hall was packed to its limit, tmd those who were fortunate to bo present spent a very enjoyable time. Action-songs, physical and Swedish drills, skipping and ribbon drills followed "lie another in .quick succession, and the only fault with the programme was its length. The girls of the Florence Booth Home were easily the favourites of fho evening, and well they deserved the honour,,for every item given by them was well-nigh perfect. One is at a loss to know which to admire inosr, their quick-step drill, ribbon drill, or skipping drill, all of which were rhythmic, but perhaps thoir Maori poi drill was the best. ■ Dressed as .Maori maidens with mats over their shoulder, the leader carrying a" puddle, the lassies trooped in like Maoris, and their manipulation of the poi was the perfection of precision, and it is doubtful whether a group of Maori girls to-day could give a better exhibition of the poi drill. The Elthain boys, a fine, healthy, strapping lot of lads, gayo excellent displays of physical and Swedish drill, and their Indian ball drill was a clever display. All their items were characteristic of well-trained youths. The prayer song, "Our Father," by. the combined children, (about 500), was very effective. The Island Bay boys were heartily applauded for their action ; song "Round the Clock." Tinibril drill and song by Brooklyn girls was very pretty, as was th» garland drill of Wellington- City girls. The dialogue, "Girls of the' Olden Time," which was the contribution of the lulbirnie Life-saving Guards, was quaint and effective. Miss Annio Haywood's recitation was a. fine telling piece of work, and tho song "A Bit of Britain" by the boys of Wellington was well sung. The performance is to bo repeated this evening, and those who delight in children's drill games and action-songs should endeavour to be- present. The tickets of those who could not get in last evening will bo avp/able to-night.