“ LIFT UP THE FALLEN.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3234, 2 June 1911, Page 7

“ LIFT UP THE FALLEN.”

SOCIAL WORK OF SALVATION, ARMY. AN INTERESTING ADDRESS. Major Toomer, Social Secretary of the Salvation Army, who recently arrived m Gisborne from Auckland, delivered an interesting address on the social work of _ the Army in the Salvation Army Citadel' last evening. The attendance Avas large and Major Toomer held the attention of his auditors throughout the evening. He stated that the social work' of the Army Avas inaugurated in 1883 in a three-roomed cottage, and as showing the great advancement that, had been made he said that accommodation Avas now found nightly Tor over three thousand persons in New Zealand and Australia. The New Zealand homes inc.uded. 2 Peoples’ Palaces, 4 maternity hospitals, 4 rescue homes,, 2 girls’ homes, 1 hoys’ home, 3 prison gate homes, 2 shelters and Avorkmen’s homes, 1 home for female inebriates, and home for male inebriates. The \vork Avas undenominational, and the last census showed a wonderful combination of religions in the Army’s Homes.

The men’s homes in New Zealand contained members of the various creeds as folloAvs : —Church of England 196, Presbyterian 63, Roman Catholic 62, Methodist 42, Baptist 14, Lutliarian 6, Congregational 4, Church of Christ 2, Seventh Day Adventists 2, JcAvish 1, Swedenborgian 1, Buddhist 1, Free Thinker 1. Seventeen ■ declared that they had no religion, AA’hile 44 boys at Eltham entered as members of the Salvation Army. 5 Dealing Avitli the Auckland homes, Major Toomer stated that the Rescue Home at Parnell Avas ahvays full. A year’s record showed, that "of the inmates five had been found situations, eleven had gone to friends, one had been transferred to another home, three had left, and one had run aAvay. At the Ponsonby Maternity Home the recorcj/shoiAved that forty-three Avomen had been admitted and'3B Avere discharged, fprty children being born. m Referring to the Discharged Prison•ers’ Home at Epsom he stated that 141 men had been admitted to that home, ■rid they were kept occupied in mat making and similar industrial pursuits. Tbo speaker referred enthusiastically to the Night Shelter and Workmen's Home Avhich, 'he said, had .vplendil accommodation for one hundred men. Hot and cold Avater baths were provided, as for that matter, was every facility to cleanliness both inwardly and outAvardly. During the year 23,588 beds and 28,478 meals had been provided. As to lioav the system was worked, Alajor Toomer said that in the case of beds .1,541 were given free and 2060 by ’tickets. In regard to the ticket system the speaker said that the Army sold these tickets to men who gave them to destitute persons AA’ho, if given money, Avould in most cases spend it in drink. Therefore, when they asked for money for a meal they Avere given a ticket, and told. Avhere to go. Besides those already enumerated 3832 persons were given meals in return for labor, AA’hile 16,155 bought them at 4d. In the case of meals, 2144 AA’ere given free, 3018 on the ticket system, 11,997 by labor, 3223 at Id, 2/19 "at 2d, 2171 at 3d, and 3206 at 4d. The present People’s Palace had outgroAA’n its usefulness, and it was to be replaced by an . up-to-date structure during the next year.. Speaking of the homes for inebriates Major Toomer said, that the year had been marked by big advances. Pakatoa Island Avith its sixty acres had been found to O' small, there being two hundred persons admitted during the first tAvo years it was open, and, in order to meet the big though sad demand, Roto Roa Islandywas purchased. Tine buildings had been erected to accommodate 100 inmates at -a time. This had already proved inadequate, and those in charge had recently to inform the Justice Depart nent that they could only take men as vacancies occurred. There was, on the whole, a good percentage of gratifying results and the Home afforded a splendid chance to men. They came to the Home broken in health and spirit, taking a dreary outlook on life, and they left after their term Avell in body and strengthened, in mind and sble to face the world.

They AA’orked- at gardening, farming, fencing, roadmaking, timber-cutting, fishing, attending to. cattle, sheep, and poultry, and even doing housework. With reference to Pakatoa Island he stated that the Home Avas uoav exclusively used for Avomen, and some thii-ty inmates had already .been received. Inmates A\ r ere coming in steadily, and the prospect Avas that it would soon be full. The home Avould at the outside accommodate fifty.

Major Toomer, in conclusion, stated that he AA'ished to clear up an impression which seemed to be fairly prevalent and that Avas that anyone could gain admission by merely making application to the Salvation Army. This was not so. In all cases the committal had to be made by a .Magistrate, the Islands both being half-OAvned toy the Government and the three modes by which admission Avas made Avere by the application of friends, by voluntary committal. and by the Magistrate’s Court.