SALVATION ARMY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1960, 17 December 1906, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY.

AUSTBAL LOBBIES’ BAND, Tbo Austral Band oi 21 Salvation Army laasiea arrived in Gisborne on Saturday morning, und in the evening ware accorded a publio reception at the Yiotoria baifry at 7.b0, Avery large crowd had gathered, and the lassies assembled in a semi-circle, His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Townloy) speaking from the foot of the belfry. His Worship said : 11 Permit mo to express the very great pleasure 1 bavo io oiloring you a hoarty welcome to Gisborne, and to express a hope (hat you will—as you have in many other plaoas-create great interest and carry away a favorable impression ; I hope you will feel great satisfaction with the audt; pees and with the attention paid to ycu whilst hero, Of course wo have not had such a ploasure before as to got eo many lassies visiting u?.” Mr Townley then, after humorously saying ho was looking round for the queen of the band, went on to narrate on entertaining siory of tha vHt of the Lord Mayor of London to Paris, At a gathering there they had two queens, and the Lord Mayor as ho sent round got She signal which lady to kiss, Bust ho kissed tbo beautiful blonde on one cheek [Voice: What about your chance ? (Laugnier.)l Too second was the brunette; be tool: a fancy Sober am kissed her os both cheeks, (Laugher) Tbo other then Citfla forward, aea holaiog up her fcco, said, You only kissed menu one cheek.” 1 Voices: ” Oh, ob ’ oanier, and laughter.] •• And,” added His Won ; ship, “ha was cxsotly my Bgo—(0. tVo ; oo • 11 You can boat him any day, Laughter,)] I hope you will have a very pleasant sojourn bore, that the weather will bo fine, and your playing and singing appreciated as it should be. On behalf o iho people I extood you the hearties-good wishes : I am very pleased >o meet you, and hope you will bavo great success. (*■ Hoar, hoar,” and epplausr.) . His Worship then wont round the ring and shock hinds with each lassie, humorous piquanoy being given to the situation by good-natured raillery from epeotcitota, Who gave the Mayor powwol m to the

I blondo and the brunotto, but wore plainly I disappoiutod when Iho loab ono was oomo to and nono saluted in Iho fashion of tho Lord Mayor of London. Brigadior Voalo askod to be pornnttod to reply to the very cordial wolcomo accorded tho Austral Band on “ the occasion of their first visit to your lovely town and district. AVo appreciate very much tho welcome you havo given us on behalf of yourself and tho townspeople.” Ho wont on to refer to tho world-wide organisation of tho Army and how they tried, to givo joy and attract people by music. Tho Austral .1 bind had boon in existence eighteen months, had through Australia and New /.calami, having had a wonderful time, and now they had roachod Gisborne, a visit which they had long contemplated with pleasure. The Army had about dO,OOO bandsmen, and A 100,000 had been spent in brass instruments, ono of their chief features boing beautiful music, in accord with tho teaching that men could be brought to God by that harmony which was beyond what the tonguo could express. Ho spoko on behalf of tho lassies because he happoned to bo tho “ mere man ” of tho party, and had to represent the lassies as tho leader of tho Band, not that thoy could not speak fo themselves, which women always con'

do. (Laughter). Ho believed that women could play brass instruments oven better than a great number of men, “ for,” he added, “it has been particularly noted that this band plays music which is ewoot ; and whero cun! a we expert awe»t tuoa'o but from the sevens lips of too indi -s ? | Vo’co : Yon’roI worse than Mr Townley. (Laughter ) | j .i .vo force a.-,d blast nud blare I (laagbin) -which souie'imes accompanies she tuuaia they play ; but tamo ta it sweet noire and ‘ harmony which to my mind is on a par with tholr womanhood. Wo hope your expeotaiious will bo more shim fulfilled, and ws appreoiato your kiuduosa. May God bless and prosper your town and bless and proapoc ua in our j wo: It.” (Applaus’.) The Br gutior thou called on Oho Austral Band to give a selection, which they did, playing 11 Tue Austral,” a piece specially composed for the Band. At the call of tho Mayor, cheers were given for the lassies, and cheers wore in roturn given for the Mayor. The Bands then proceeded to His Majesty’s Theatre, whete the first ooooert in Gisborne was g’v; n,

r’ho house was a full one, and overy „em evoked hoarty applause. The following is the programme : —Selection, ‘‘The Avon,” band; solo by Lieu«. Banks ; company song, 11 Moaning and Groaning,” members of tho band ; selection, " Going By,” band ; solo by Brigadier Veale ; eixette, " Mother Dear,” by members of the band ; selection, 11 The Banner,” band ; recitation by Guard Wells; solo with ohorous, 11 Wo’ro Not,” Lieut. Banks and oompany; seleotion, “Paaeo, be Still,” band; septette, “ Home, Beautiful Home,” members of tho band ; solo, “No Rsgrets,” Guard Lee ; seleotion, ” The Canadian,” band; medley, "Singing oompany,” band. SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

la the aftsrnoon the Lassies’ Baud had another good reception at tho theatre, the following sacred programme being gone through: Hallelujah medley (march). Band; oompany song, " Merrily Oa,” members of the Band ; seleotion, 11 Won* derful Love,” Baud; solo, “ Sunshine,” Brigadier Hallowall; rroitation, " Women’s War,” Guard Welis ; seleotion, " Creation,” Band; solo, "la Pathways so Dreary,” Guard Lee.

SUNDAY NIGHT. After the outdoor mooting last evening the Lassies’ Band marched to the theatre, headed by the Army’s local band. A packed house greeted them on arrival, and a ohoice programme wa3 gone through as follows ; March, “ Life’s Morn," Band ; oompauy Bong, with action, " When I get home,” members of the Band ; solo, " Tho Nail-pinned Hand,” Guard Hutchison; seleotion, 11 Songs of Heaven,” Band ; solo, " My doar old Mother I shall meet again,” Brigadier Yeale ; sixette, "Ever On,” members of the Band; solo, " Drunkard To-night,” Guard Lse.