COLONEL BAILEY IN HIS DEFENCE.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 10, 12 July 1893, Page 2

COLONEL BAILEY IN HIS DEFENCE.

The town of Feilding was quite in a ferment la3t evening when it became known that Colonel Bailey, of the Salvation Army, intended to give an explanation of his differences with Captain Stevens, who, until recently, had i resided iv Marton in charge of that division of the Army. Captain Stevens was formerly stationed in Feilding and was deservedly popular with all classes. [An account of his difference*, with Colonel Bailey appeared in the Advocate some time back.] The Salvationists paraded last night at their | usual hour, and by the time the Square was reached quite a large crowd had gojb together. Considerable unseemly conduct took place, and several rotten eggs, bags of flour, etc. were burled at Colonel Bailey. Major Vince said that the Colonel had come there that night much against the wish and advice of his friends. At Woodville the Colonel had given an explanation, with which the editor of the paper expressed himself perfectly satisfied. They should have waited for a man's defence before judging him and assaulting him with rotten eggs, etc. An adjournment was then made to the Barracks, which[were quickly filled. Major Vince, in opening the proceedings, stated that anyone who disturbed the meeting would be given in charge, as the place was duly licensed for religious worship. After a number of hymns had been sung, and addresses given by various officers, the Colonel rose to address the meeting, and was listened to in a fair manner. He said he was not there to make any public apology, and those who believed that such was to be the case were under a great delusion. It was not necessary for him to explain the rules and regulations which had been drawn up for the guidance of the Army. Every officer knew what those rules were, and was bound to conform to them, and if he did not adhere to them the fault rested with himself. He (the Colonel) had no objection to the letters being published, although they were of a purely private nature. From one letter only six lines were published, and the other twenty lines were omitted. He intended going to Marton to see the editor of the Advocate. His one desire was that things might be smoothed over with Captain Stevens, and the latter was requested not to resign. Captain Stevens never asked for his fare to Dnnedin when he sent in his resignation, and he was at perfect liberty to raise bis removal expenses by means of a farewell social, as was customary in tbe Army. It was quite false for tbe papers to assert that Captain Stevens was thrown out of their body as he went entirely of his own accord, and ior some roontbs prior to his resignation he had beeu in treaty with the Bible Christians, with a view to joining that connection. Again, over £8 was collected in Marton at Captain Stevens' farewell, and to say he was turned out penniless was quite untrue. It was a most improper proceeding for a man on seceding from one body to another to try and make capital out of his change. If he thought he bad been harshly treated his remedy lav in an appeal to the headquarters in London. Colonel Bailey then went on aud alluded to his position, saying : Would three hundred officers still stand true to him if he were unworthy of their confidence ? Newspapers were unfair and often declined to hear both sides of the question. After an interview with the editor of the Woodville paper the other day, that gentleman regretted not haviug seen him sooner. The speaker then resumed his seat, and was accorded a very different . reception to that which he met with earlier in the evening. Major Vince, in a few well -chosen words, next spoke, and' alluded to tha treatment he bad always received at tbe hands of Colonel Bailey, who he had found just and honorable and he had every confidence in acting under him. He believed in the Colonel, and it was only fair that he should have been heard before being assailed with rotten eggs, Ac. The speaker then concluded by saying he felt convinced that Colonel Bailey's explanation had satisfied all present. The meeting then quietly dispersed.