SALVATION ARMY, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2408, 6 October 1892, Page 4

SALVATION ARMY, GERALDINE.

THE NEW BARRACKS. The much-talked-of new barracks for the Salvation Army of Geraldine was completed at the latter end of last week. Hitherto the Army people have been handicapped by having to rent halls to hold their meetings in, but now they are free, and have a handsome building in which they can meet as often as they please. The ground plan of the building is 56ft x 24ft, and the main hall measures 4Gft x 24ft. The main hall is lined with 3 inch match lining, with alternate boards of red and of white pine. The lining having the two colors of the pinewood set alternately, and being well coated with varnish, gives the interior of the hall a very pretty effect. A neat dado runs round the walls, and at the back end of the building is a raised platform and gallery capable of seating forty soldiers. In front of this platform, facing the audience, is a hand-rail bearing the Salvation Army crest and the words “Are you Saved ?” “ Live for God,” “ Blood and Fire.” The main hall, without reckoning the platform, will hold over 200 people, and is provided with very strong seats, supported with iron stayrods. The hall at night is splendidly lighted by means of two of the largest bronze Rochester hanging lamps procurable. The ventilation of the building is well looked after. Leading from the main building is an officers’ room measuring 12ft x 10ft, and a band room 12ft x 10ft, and behind that again is the Junior Hull, a comfortable little room, 24ft x 10ft, for the meetings of Junior soldiers. The building outside has a castle front, with turrets, and is built on the same plan that is now adopted by the Salvation Army throughout iS T ew Zealand and elsewhere. It is painted to represent a stone huiidiug, and has a very imposing appearance. The site where it is erected is just below the Oddfellows’ Hall, and adjoining the Geraldine Park. The work was done under the management of Mr Hanrop. On Saturday night, although it was i raining heavily, there was a large attendance, when the new building was first brought into use. Colonel Bailey conducted the services, and dedicated the building to the service of G.o.d. On Sunday afternoon processions were made through the town, after which Colonel Bailey had a flag hoisted over the new barracks. The Colonel .said that tiie proof that the Army work had been successful in Geraldine could be seen in the splendid building they had erected. The work had been steadily advancing. Three years ago they met in a little hall, and now they had a fine building of their own. H« hoped they would still go on advancing, ami s£ they made as much progress during the next three years as they had in the past they would do well. He was pleased to see that the “Army” had a good many sympathisers in Geraldine. The collections taken during Saturday’s and Sunday’s services amounted to £l2. THE BANQUET. On Monday evening the number i people that turned up at the banquet was so great that crowds remained outside the door from 6 o'clock till nearly 8 o’clock before they could get a seat at the tables. This was partly owing to there being so many visitors from other places. Two large drag lords came from 'J.’imaru, to any nothing of the numerous private conveyances which arrived from ottm* districts. The tables at the banquet were abundantly filled with everything that an epicure could wish for, and when the eating had finished, about, 8 p.m., there had disappeared no less than 10-) roast fowls, 50 steaming hot plum puddings . 2 sacks of hot potaooes, and cakes innumerable. J.t speaks well for the generosity of Geraldine people when it is known that everything for this banquet—fowls, material for the puddings, Ac., were given gratis. Those that wsitod on the t/rbles were : Sisters Fronting, Herdman, Watts, Payne, Fleming, Pratt, Harrop, and Smith, and Brothers Day, Pearce, W. Fleming, 11. Payne, j. Prouting, F. Fronting, (huger, and W. Payne. While the banquet was in full swing the Timaru Army Band played .a few pleasing airs outside the hall. It is computed fully 370 took part in the I banquet I

THI3 A PTER- MEETING. Later on an illuminated procession marched through the town to the Volunteer Hall, where Colonel Bailey led a a very exciting Army meeting. On the platform, besides tho colonel and his wife, were Major Vince, Captains Patton, Linkhorn, Mercier, McCormick, and Lieutenants Hamilton, Newbold, and Freeman, and a large number of soldiers. After Salvation Army volleys had been fired for tho Timaru, Temuka, and Geraldine corps, tho Surprise Party, consisting of Mesdamea Baker, Herman, Smith, and Harrop, and Messrs Hordman, Francis, and Fronting, appeared, and sang “We will fight beneath those colours till we die,” Mr Francis taking the solo part in good style. Colonel Bailey said that some people thought that Salvation Army people exaggerated things. When he came down town tho other day and saw placarded up “ 100 fowls and 50 hot pluddings,” he began to think there was some exaggeration about it. Since he had attended the banquet, however, he had found that everything had been fulfilled to the very letter. He felt very glad to be present and congratulate his Geraldine comrades in having successfully brought their building to completion. Lieutenant Hamilton and Captain Harlow both spoke of the good work done in Geraldine, after which Lieut. Francis, with guitar accompaniment, sang a Maori solo.

Bro. C. Fleming, as the first member of the Army corps in Geraldine, and Bro. Pearce, as the latest member, both spoke. Captain Condon then spoke a few words, thanking the friends that had helped them with money and goods. He could only remember two refusals they had received. One was from a man who never gave anything away, and the other from a man who did not believe in the Army. Colonel Bailey read telegrams from Captains Hattray and Scott heartily congratulating the Geraldine corps on the opening of their new barracks. Captain Patton spoke on the great work which had been done in Geraldine since the time she was stationed there.

Captain McCormick,who was designated “ The mother of the Geraldine corps,” gave a lengthy address. She alluded to first enrolment they had iu Geraldine, and certified to the good behaviour of the young men. She concluded with an amusing description of her work on the West Coast.

Major Vince, in the course of his address, said that the building they had just completed was a credit to tho township of Geraldine. The sum of £l2 10s was taken in tho hall that night, and the whole proceedings realised the substantial sum of £6O.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Geraldine—Tuesday, October 4th,

("Before M. C. Orbell and H. W. Moore, Esqs., J.P.’s.] A LOTTERY CASE. Messrs Kyran Brophy and Daniel Guthrie were each charged under section 18 o ( the Gaming and Lotteries’ Act, with disposing of a buggy by a game of chance. Both accused pleaded guilty. Constable Willoughby stated that a raffle of the buggy had been got up by Brophy in aid of a person who was ill and unable to provide for himself. The buggy had been won by Guthrie. The person in need was the owner of the buggy in the first place, and the buggy and money got by the raffle of the buggy were given to this person as an act of charity. The constable said he did not wish to press for a heavy penalty in this case, but wished to make it a warning to other people. The Bench said that accused were liable to a penalty of £2OO, but considering that the deed had been committed under a misconception as an act of charity the Bench would inflict a nominal fine of Is and costs. CIVIL CASKS. Ann Mcllwraith v. John Mundell— Claim £5, and the return of a horse. Mr H. W. Postlethwaile appeared for plaintiff, and Mr F, Wilson Smith for defendant.

Mr Postlothwaits asked for an adjournment of the case, so that it could be heard before the Resident Magistrate. Mr Smith opposed an adjournment on the grounds that defendant would be out of the district next Court day, and that he (Mr Wilson Smith) had neglected his business at Temuka to attend Court that day. Mr Postlethwaito pointed out that as the amount claimed was over £2O the Bench had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

Mr Smith asked for 10s 6d costs if an adjournment wore allowed. The Bench agreed that costs would go with the case, and decided to adjourn the cbtd, as requested by plaintiff. E. H, Pearpamt v. J. J. Griffen— Claim £7 16s 2d on a judgment summons. Plaintiff said ho tioojd prove that defendant had earned money- since judgment had been given against him, and that he had failed to pay the claim. Defendant admitted earning money, but stated that he had not earned more than enough to keep himself and family. The Bench made an order that defendant shall pay in instalments of J.Os par month, in default one mouth’s imprLsoiivusjit. The Cmm ij’en rose.