CONGRESS HALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 289, 27 February 1928, Page 11

CONGRESS HALL

SALVATION ARMY’S FUTURE HEADQUARTERS «» FOUNDATION STONE LAID '■Future generations will look on this stone and then come in," said Commissioner James Hay, in laying the foundation stone of the new' Congress Hall and headquarters of the Salvation Army in Auckland at the site in Grey Avenue this afternoon. This would b€> the chief building of the Salvation Army in the Auckland \ Province, said the commissioner, and it would also be the headquarters. In the coming years Grey Avenue would probably be the street in Auckland and the Armv would then be in the centre of the work. Of the estimated cost of ! approximately £26,000 aoout £16,001* * was already in hand and he hoped the j other £IO,OOO would soon be forthcoming. He was confident that the building w-ould be opened free of debt. [ The hall would provide accommodation lor about 900 people ani also about 400 children as well as scouts, guards , and other branches of the Army. ; Speaking on behalf of the citizens \ of Auckland, the Mayor. Mr. George Baildon, congratulated the Army on the splendid progress which had farced the building of a new structure to replace the one at present in use. He outlined the work of the Army in this city and of the good work it was doing. He” had inspected the plans ot the new i building and was satisfied that when completed it would be one of the most up-to-date halls in the Dominion. ; The Rev. Evan R. Harries, of St. S James’s Presbyterian Church, who i represented the other churches of ! Auckland, also offered his congratul;* - lions. One of the many things that lie liked about the Army was its aggressiveness. It did not wait for people to come in but went out and got them. He was glad that some besides himself had faith in the city itself and he hoped that in the near future tile suburban churches would look with surprise at the large congregations , which would be attending those in the * city.