VALUABLE WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 285, 1 December 1934, Page 12

VALUABLE WORK.

AIDING FORMER PRISONERS. TRIBUTES TO SOCIETY. A meeting of the executive of the Auckland Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society was held this week. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the chairman, Archbishop Averill, Mr. H. W. Maclennan presided. A considerable amount of correspondence was dealt with, amongst which were letters from the superintendent of Mount Eden prison, Mr. S. E. Langstone, manager of St. John Ambulance Association, and Mr. B. L. Dallard, the Con-troller-General of Prisons. Mr. Dallard said the results of recent examinations held in the Mount Eden prison for first aid were exceedingly gratifying, and reflected great credit not only on the instructors, but on the men themselves. He desired to convey the tlianks oT the Department to those whose patient and self-sacrificing work had made these results possible. He considered that the work, almost subconsciously, made an appeal to the better side of a man's nature, as the spirit underlying was service to one's fellows. Ho felt that the psychological effect "of such training on prisoners must be a particularly beneficial one.

The Rev. G. E. Moreton's report, covering the period October 1, 1933, to November 23, 1934, stated that he had paid 245 visits to Mount Eden prison, also ten visits to Rangitoto prison camp. Interviews taken at the prison were 731, and at the ofliccs of the society 2C31. The total receipts for tha.''period under review amounted to £1100 19/7, the Government grant being increased from £40 to £50. Expenditure on groceries, rent, meals, beds, boots and clothing, gas, wood and coal, fares, tools, medicine and in special relief, together with incidental expenses, left a credit balance of £24. IG/10. Messrs. W. M. Rayner, L. J. Armitage and the Rev. G. E. Moreton were appointed trustees of the society. Mr. J. W. Manning reported on the proposed registration of the society under the Religious and Charitable Acts. Several matters of the future policy of the society were discussed at length, and the executive commented on the low cost of administration of the society.