GOLDEN JUBILEE

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 9

GOLDEN JUBILEE

! SALVATION ARMY CORPS l HAMILTON ANNIVERSARY EARLY DAYS RECALLED "Hamilton docs not fear a Chinese i Invasion, but it is about to be attacked by an expedition of Salvationists. The Army will, we understand, occupy the , town on Sunday next." In this manner the foundation of the Hamilton . Corps of the Salvation Army was announced bv the Waikato Times on May ! 10, 1888. * ! In the issue of May i 5 of the same year the following report appeared: “Captains Sutton, Cutler and Little, . the Auckland trumpeter, and two Halle- ! lujah Lasses occupied the town for i the first time on Sunday last. , A large number of people assembled ; at the traffic bridge in the afternoon and marched in the direction of Hamilton East, singing Army songs. In the 1 evening every available seat in the ball was occupied, besides which there were many people outside the door. . Mrs Cutler was on the stage and gave ! a very impressive address." Commencing to-morrow and continuing until Monday, the Hamilton corps will celebrate its golden jubilee. Special meetings will be held on Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday evening a musical festival will be conducted. Hall Destroyed by Fire The Army in Hamilton had Its first i headquarters near Pearson’s sand-soap factory in Hamilton East., but in 1896 it rented a hall in Hood Street. Ten ! years later a property was purchased In Victoria Street near Garden Place Hill, and a working bee constructed a new hall on this area. About 1912 the hall was destroyed by fire and the property was then sold for £7O a foot, the money from this transaction pro- | viding capital for the purchase of the j Army’s present Bryce Street property and buildings. j Not until the close of the Great War did the work of the Army make a real j forward step, but from this date the ! corps has grown rapidly. The band I became more proficient, new instrui ments were purchased, and under a ! succession of able leaders splendid progress was made. Work among tho young people also commenced in earnest about this time and wonderful strides were made.

Leaders of the Army in Hamilton over the past 50 years have been: 1888-1891, Captains J. Cutler, Duggan, McMillan, Crist, Pallant, H. Sharp; 1896-97, Captain Kemp; 1897-98, Captain McClymont, Lieutenant Woolford; 1906-07, Captain F. Giles and Lieutenant Fitness; 1911-12, Adjutant N. Jenkin. Adjutant Styles: 1914, Lieutenant Hildreth. Adjutant T. Rear, Major Middlemiss; 1917-18. Major Bayliss; 1918-19, Major Hultquist.; 1919-20. Major Wyatt; 1920-21, Major Home; 1921-23, Major Sansom; 1923-24, Major M. Brown: 1924-25, Major Lamond: 1925-26, Major Duggan; 1927. Major G. Inglis: 1928-29, Adjutant Chandler; 1929-30, Captain Dick; 1930-31, Adjutant Frazer: 193184, Adjutants Marshall and Wheeler; 1934-36. Adjutant S. Bridge; 1937-38, Adjutant R. E. Liddell. History of Band One of the most important units of the Hamilton Corps has always been the band, which was formed in 1888 under the conductorship of Mr R. Webber. The members of the first band w-ere Messrs R. Webber (cornet), L. Arnold (tenor horn), J. Triplow ( baritone), W. Abbott (bass), and R. Waite (drum). This combination continued very successfully until 1896, when several of the members were transferred to Waihi. It was not until 1912 that, with the arrival of Mr A. Iremonger, the band was again able to function satisfactorily. Mr Iremonger taught a number of boys and the band once more assumed its former importance. When Mr Iremonger moved away from flie district interest waned, the band petered out and instruments went astray. The third effort to form the hand was made in 1915, when Mr G. Robertson commenced training half a dozen boys, who soon moulded into a sound combination. Second-hand instruments were purchased in 1920 when Mr Lindsey took over from Mr Robertson. In 1923 the membership rose to 23. and subsequent additions of seasoned bandsmen resulted in the building up of a combination which was the forerunner of the present band. Work Among the Children One of the most important features of the Army’s wort- has always been its activities among the children of the community, particularly orphans, and in this connection the Hamilton Corps’ home, ‘‘The Nest.” has provided a wonderful refuge for the less-fortunate of Hamilton’s children. "The Nest" was officially opened on December 10, 1920. by Commander Ilodder, the key being turned by Mr E. McGregor, of Hamilton, who had made a substantial donation in connection with the property. The staff at that time consisted of Adjutant and Mrs J. Hughson, manager and matron respectively. r ' ,rl Christoferson, Lieutenant McKenzie, and Misses S. Pickering, V. Webb and (Continued In next column)

I. Webb. There were 28 inmates at first, but following a donation of £SOO from Mr G. Bodley a building extension provided accommodation for 40 children. Last year the building was further added to, to accommodate 55, as the result of a donation from a grant made to Hamilton by Lord Nuffield. In recent months further money from this source has made possible other additions.