SALVATION ARMY BOYS' HOME.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 21, 19 December 1916, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY BOYS' HOME.

The Eltham Town Hall was crowded last night, the occasion being the animal demonstration in colincciion with the Salvation Army Boys’ Home. 1 he* Army’s reputation lor thoiougbiu ami enthusiasm is so well-known that it need occasion no surprise to > epoi u that tiic entertainment was a very successful one, tne financial results being quite up to expectations. Commissioner and Mrs Hoddcr "ere fnescui, together with Lieutenant-Colonel .Mcdiincs, the Army’s Chief Secemaiy, who recently arrived from England. The Commissioner has 'been on a ton; of inspection through the Ha" ke s Bav province, and is now on ids way back to headquarters. The entertainment was opened by a brief address by the Commissioner, who dwelt on the objects and advantages of the Boys’ Homo, and the practical assistance it had been the means of affording to many sorely m need.

The present function was the annual prize-giving and concert of the boys, no charge being made for admission, but a collection was taken up tor the Distressed Belgians. As to the peiformaiice, a chorus of some filty hoys ami girls led off with the National Anthems of Russia, France. Belgium, and Great Britain. The items was excellently rendered, and the grouping and marching showed evidence of the attention bestowed on the hoys’ drilling by Adjutant A. Scotney, of Eithani, who was responsible for the stage management. Master G illicit Simon recited “The Dog” very creditably, and Master Arthur McGasco was also successful in a recitation “Won by Valor.” Master Harry Miilier and Myrtle Scotney were both thoroughly at homo in recitations which plcaseu the audience and earned applause, loe Swedish Drill, Sword Drill, ami various tableaux were all original, and the movements wore carried out "till the greatest precision, which, together witlAhe colored lighting effects, made up a really attractive tout ensemble. At the conclusion of the concert portion, a Belgian Flag was offered for sale, and- realised over £2O, while a collection taken up in the body ot the hall brought in £27 lbs. lu> school prizes were presented by tho Commissioner. The winner of 1(1 r „ld modal for best all-round boy m the school was won by Gilbert Jones ; the second prize, a silver medal, ie to Master S. J. Stevens, Jhe gold medal for next year’s first prize "as generously donated by Si rgrant Ma.im Mahoney,*of Stratford, a.ul mxr year s silver medal was given by -Messrs J. T. and Co.” . . A most successful and enjoyable function was brought to a dose shortly after 10 o’clock by a shorn prayer and tho Benediction pronounced by Commissioner Huddcr.