THE SALVATION ARMY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 224, 1 March 1915, Page 4

THE SALVATION ARMY.

COMMISSIONER RODDER. A CIIVIC' •RECEPTION. Commissioner and Mrs. Hodder, accompanied by Brigadier and Mrs. Bray and other otl'icers, arrived in .New Plymouth on Saturday morning, and were accorded a, public welcome in the Army Hall at night. In spite of the heavy rainthere was a splendid attendance. After tho opening services were over, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. E. Wilson), who took a seat on the platform, spoke of the great pleasure it gave ihini to be present and to extend a very hearty welcome to suoh distinguished visitors. He trusted that their stay in New Zealand would be a very useful one. His" worship also spoke of the grand- wo'.k carried on by the organisation, and concluded by wishing the Army every success in its noble work. Captain Sutur, .the private secretary, sang a good solo, and then the Rev. Jlr. Olds expressed the great pleasure it gave bun to represent the Ministers' Association and extend to Commissioner and Mrs. Hodder a very hearty welcome, with the blessing of God upon thiir labors. -Mrs. Hodder, in her reply, captivated one and ali in a most telling and spirited address, and related how first in the Homeland she met the Army, and of how under the blessing of God she had launched out.

In li is reply to the welcome accorded thcni, Commissioner Dodder thanked all for tlieir groat kindness to them since arriving in New Zealand, and in a masterly address lie also was soon on good terms wit'i the audience. s

Tiic meeting closed with the singing of the Doxology.

. SUNDAY SERVICES. v,. ;^p| Yesterday morning the service was held in the Army Hall, when a Bible address was capably given. In the Good Templar Ilall yesterday afternoon a large number gathered to listen to' Commissioner ITodder's lecture upon Japan. The lecturer, who has a very homi'lv wav on the platform, was soon, describing the manners of the Japanese and their strang'c customs, also of how honest they were, as a nation, and of the work carried on by the Arnw in that Land of the Rising Sun. During tha recital some very amusing stories were told, while, on the other hand, there were also some sad ones related. Last night the hall was well filled, and both Commissioner and Mrs. Hodder gave very earnest ar.d telling crospel addresses. The visitors leave New Plymouth by the express this morning, well p'onsed with their first visit' here.