The Salvation Army's industrial colony at Hadleigh, in Essex, is
described in an interesting article in Tuesday's Times. The estate purchased by " General " Booth in 1890 consists of three thousand acres on the north shore of the Thames estuary, a few miles above Southend, gives employ. ment to between two and three hundred men, mostly drawn from the "Army's" town shelters, who are paid from 8s. to lls. per week, and on the rent-free basis originally contem- plated is now nearly self-supporting. The work of the colony is two-fold, agricultural and industrial, the greatest activity being displayed in the brick-fields, the entire output of which is steadily demanded by London ; while the poultry-farming, dairy, and market-gardening sections all show steadily im- proving results. In evidence of the economical manner in which the colony is administered, it may suffice to state that the salaries of governor and staff, travelling expenses, print- ing, postage, repair; Ar.o., only amounted in the last year to £833. More important still is the testimony borne by the Times correspondent to the moral and physical regeneration of the colonists themselves. It is further pointed out that as these men would otherwise have to be supported by charity or by the rates, the fact that Hadleigh is comparatively inde- pendent of subscriptions should encourage public support of the contemplated extensions of the scheme both oversea and in this country. If, however, the colony is to be imitated, it must be remembered that in the last resort its success is due to the fact that it is founded on a religions motive.
Previous page
