Lot 2833

Description

Salvation Army (Petone Branch), wooden gavel (180x75x40mm) (1899), handle with inscribed silver ribbon around, inscribed 'Salvation Army Block Laying Petone March 15th R.E.Kirk Esq. Mayor'. Fine.

From 'The Evening Post' 16th March 1899. Courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past.

"The Petone Branch of the Salvation Army have suffered inconvenience for some time owing to the unsuitable nature of the building doing duty as barracks. Permanent quarters are now being erected on a section of land which has been purchased in Sydney Street. The floor of the main building is 28ft x 60ft, and will at present be seated for 300. There will also be a smaller hall in the rear to accommodate 60. Yesterday afternoon two memorial blocks were laid, one by Mr. R.C.Kirk and the other by Mrs. Birkenshaw, for Major Estall, who was unable to be present on account of the impending visit of General Booth. The blocks were of heart of totara painted in imitation of marble. One bore the inscription, "This block was laid to the glory of God, by R.C.Kirk, Esq. Mayor of Petone, 15th March, 1899," and the other had Mrs. Birkenshaw's name in lieu of Mr. Kirk's. There was a large muster of officers and members of the army and the public. It is worthy of note that while the head quarters contributed the cost of the section, the building is being erected gratuitously by members of the local branch, under the direction of Mr. Twomath, and they hope that residents will generously assist them in defraying the cost of material".