PRISON GATE MISSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 247, 21 November 1914, Page 2

PRISON GATE MISSION.

ANNUAL KEPOBT. The Prison Gate Mission is in need of funds with 'Which to carry on its as was revealed at the annual meeting held yesterday afternoon, and as the, mission, works with secrecy, its objects are not brought so prominently before the charitably inclined as-many other Worthy institutions. The annual report presented by Dean Carringtoh stated' that satisfactory work had been done during the year. Forty-five prisoners had received orders, for temporary board and lodging in the Salvation. Army Home at the expense of the mission; four had been .shipped to sea, two had been sent to the Seamen's Institute, and one,to the Sailors? Home. Seven had returiied to their own homes, thirty-five had been received by friends, one had been assisted to go to the country to seek work, ten had -been sent back by the Government authorities to the places from' which' they had been brought, and ninety-six had had no need of assistance.

In comparison with male offenders, female offenders had been few,, as usual, and they were mostly old offenders. The transference of female prisoners from Lyttelton Gaol to Aldington had acted satisfactorily, both in regard to improved conditions and in affording tetter opportunity for £he classification of male offenders in Lyttelton Gaol. Another important step in prison reform was "the commencement of the building at Templeton, where it was hoped to establish a model prison. The prison farm established at Sunnyside also had every prospect of suecess. The balance-sheet showed a deficit of £2l 13/6, and it was stated that the mission apparently did hot commend itself to a large section of society, although its objects were for the benefit of the whole of society. The late Mrs end, who had subscribed liberally during her life, had left £IOO to the mission, and this amount it was desired to invest, but this could only be done if subscriptions were increased, so that it would not be necessary to use it as income. Dean Carrihgton eulogised -the, work of the missioner, Mr Smail, and the thanks of the executive were tendered to the prison, authorities at Lyttelton for their courtesy and helpfulness, and to the manager of the Salvation Army Home, to the shipping master at Lyttelton, and to the superintendent of the Seamen's Institute. The following officers were elected:—Bev. Canon Coates, Rev. J. B. Hewland, Mrs Guise, Mrs J. 11. Wilson, Mrs Sandstein, Miss Kolleston (hon. visitor Addington Gaol), Miss Muriel Ollivier, Captain Marciel, and Mr J. H. Stringer. Mr Stringer was re-elected treasurer.