"The Slums of Melbourne.”

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 260, 14 February 1889, Page 2

"The Slums of Melbourne.”

A Gisbobne paper gives an extract entitled the “ Slums of Melbourne,” in which the writer depicts the state of things he saw in going a round of the slums, and complains that “ through all that night there was not a soldier, or a tambourine, or servant of the Salvation Army in any capacity seen about that central slum.” But the local journal carefully omits to give the reply of Major Rolfe, who has just come to Auckland from Adelaide to take charge of the Northern Division. In conversation with a reporter, referring to the matter he said :—He had just spent a week in Melbourne in passing through. The imputation of neglecting the slums, or of not working in them, was not correct or just. Why, one of the Salvation Army Barracks was in a lane, in the centre of the slums, leading out of Little Bourkestreet, and a few yards from that famous or infamous locality, and where the Army’s services were held every night in the year. He also furnishes the following published account of one of the midnight Rescue meetings of the Army, which took place only a few weeks ago, and at which Commissioner Howard and Colonel and Mrs Barker were present. The report says: — “Just fancy a meeting to commence at 11 o'clock at night 1 Colonel and Mrs Barker are trying all ways and means to reach the lost, so had arranged a nice little supper. Mrs Barker was busy looking after thia, while the Colonel went out with the Commissioner to invite and bring in our poor fallen sisters. Soon one of the long tables was well filled with quite young girls. As I looked on, my heart felt sad to think that such young girls oould so sell themselves body and soul. As they finished supper, we got into a good salvation meeting. Girls kept coming in long after mid, night, and the Commissioner’s kind face peeped in now and then, and Colonel Barker was not far behind. Some of the girl’s were brought out of fearful dens of sin. Many looked so hardened, and seemed not to care for anything. On the other hand, many did care very much, Major Barritt kept the meeting as interesting as ever he could. There were lots of solos sung, and little talks to the girls in between. How they listened. Some (under the influence of drink) were inclined to be rather talkative and noisy ; the others threatened to put them ont. and quickly made them sit still and listen. One of them Went to the door at least a dozen times, when another would pounce upon her and fetch her back, The Commissioner spoke to them with much power, and one poor thing came out straight there and then.*'