S. A. ARMY LEADERS

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1048, 21 November 1947, Page 3

S. A. ARMY LEADERS

VISIT TO OPOTIKI Interesting meeting APPEAL TO AID BRITAIN Commissioner and -Mrs. Astbury of the Salvation Army, who were accompanied by Lt.-Colonel and Mrs. Gray conducted a. very helpful and interesting juceting on Tuesday night. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. T. G. Johnson) in his ‘own inimitable way welcomed the Commissioner and Mrs. Astbury and Lt.-Col. and Mrs. Gray and thanked them for their return visit. They were not ships which passed in the night, he said, but those who were prepared to come again. The Commissioner, in reply, said: ‘’When I think of Opotiki and its Mayor 1 think of two things.. One, a bright clean town with most of the amenities of life, and two, flowers add gardens.” The Commissioner .went on to say that we should do all we can to aid the Old Lands especially with regard to edibible fats. “Can you imagine,” he said, “a farm yard in the heart of London.” One basement now open to the skies through bombing was a place for rearing rabbits and chickens. Other' places people came and removed the bricks and rubbish and dug up'the soil and planted potatoes, greens, peas, onions etc. All this in the heart of devastated. London; all for food.

Continuing, the Commissioner quoted from some letters received, stating, in a number of cases, the people who had had parcels sent to them asked if there was any way in which they could help New Zealand in return.

Mrs. Commissioner Astbury and Mrs. Lt.-Col. Gray spoke also in the .meetings. During the evening tile young people’s singing company rendered two numbers very pleasingly and the Commissioner complimented Major Jones, the conductor, on the splendid training. Miss Claire Itoss sang very feelingly a beautiful solo, “With Jesus 1 Walk on the Waters.”

The meeting was brought to a close by the Commissioner drawing lessons of life from contracting flower gardens and flowers and weeds. The Commissioner then accompanied the singing of the last song on the organ, Mrs. Astbury singing two of the verses as a solo. Prior to the commencement of. the meeting Commissioner Astbury, who is a Dominion Vice-President of the Boy Scout Association and President of the Red Shield'Youth Movement, inspected the Scout Troop, accompanied by Major L. 11. Jones, District Commissioner For Scouts. Commissioner Astbury complimented the boys on their turn-out, smartness and bearing. Three of the senior girls presented bouquets to Mrs. Astbury, Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Johnson,. The Rev. Evans of the Presbyterian Church was also on the platform. The party left for Gisborne by car on Wednesday morning.