INGLEWOOD NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 55, 23 July 1912, Page 6

INGLEWOOD NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondent). Commissioner Richards, of the Salvaion Army, visited Inglewood on Friday. I lift work of the Army in the Dominion has grown so much during the past few years that it has been deemed advisable by the Army headquarters to make New Zealand a separate command. The Commissioner was met at the station by the local Salvationists, and conducted to the new band rotunda, where his Worship Uii! Mayor, with the councillors, accorded him a civic reception. After one or two brief speeches the company adjourned to Carrington's tearooms 'for afternoon tea. The usual complimentary remarks were made; the councillors praised the Army and the Army praised the Council, and all present had quite a good time. Mr. T. Hamerton, editor of the local paper, was called upon for a speech and he responded in a spirited and original manner and quite carried his audience away by the energy and spirit which he put into his remarks. Commissioner Richards,in response, said that he was not going to say what he was going to do in the future, but that he should continue to build upon the very good foundation which had already been laid.

The meeting at night in the Parish ITall was well attended. The proceedings were opened bv the of a hymn, accompanied by the band. Perhaps it would bo more correct to say that the first hymn was drowned by the band. The bandsmen are strong, lusty young fellows who believe in doing with all their might what their hands, and, incidentally, their mouths, find to djo. Anyhow, they blew so hard that Colonel Fisher, who was giving out the hymn, gave a despairing glance in their direction and gave out the last verse, so as to give them (the bandsmen) and the audience, a rest! Why, oh! why, do these estimable and earnest young men not try to play in tune? It would be a boon to themselves and to everyone in the town, besides being a much greater "draw" to the meetings than they can hope to be at present. The meeting throughout was of a most enthusiastic character. The Commissioner caused great interest when he read what he called a description of Xew Zealaiyl from Deuteronomy x,i., 11-12: "But the land whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh of the rain from heaven: a land which the Lord thy God careth for, the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it from the 'beginning of the year even unto the end of the year." Commissioner Richards is a man of many parts, and one who has travelled over a good part of the civilised world in the interests of the Salvation Army. He hag held important commands at the London headquarters, and has seen service both as a divisional and as a provincial officer in the Old Land before being sent abroad as a Commissioner of foreign countries. His last command before coming to New Zealand was in South Africa.