PRISON GATE MISSION.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6924, 2 December 1887, Page 6

PRISON GATE MISSION.

The second annual meeting in connection with the Prison Gate Mission was held in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association last eveniug. There was a good attendance, and Mr W. H. Shaw occupied the chair. After the singing of a hymn, the Rev C. DaHaston offering up prayer.

Tue Uhaikjiax read apologies for absence from the Revs. Lewis, Berry, ChaffersWcish, Flavell, Holland, and Cock . Canon Stanford, Messrs H.R. Webb and A. Scott, and Mrs Newton. The latter wrote as Secretary of .the Women's Christian Temperance Union, forwarding a resolution suggesting the desirability of extending the operations of the mission to discharged female prisoners. The Chairman reviewed the work of the year, and the annual report was then read. It referred to the circumstances which,, led, to the'-Home being transferred from Oxford .Colombo road, Sydenham, aud reopened on April 24th last. The want of adequate room to keep the sexes separated led the Committee to confine the work wholly to men, more especially as Homes for women were in operation in the city. Mrs Green had been appointed Matron, and Mr T. Herrick continued to . act as honorary secretary. During the period since the opening of the new home, forty prisoners had been discharged from Lyttelton Gaol, and of tb__.e fourteen had I been received into the Home, three.returned to their friends, ten returned to various parts of the colony, . one Svas shipped to London by the Mission, and twelve were considered unfit for admission. This large proportion of discharged prisoners secured for "the Home was due to the energy and devotion of the hon. secretary, who regularly visited the gaol on Saturdays, where he received every courtesy and assistance. Since April, 2803 mealsat acostof2Jdeachhadbcensupplied. During the year" many gifts of food aud clothing had been received, for which the Committee desired to thank the kind donors; in particular the Committee acknowledged the great help Mrs Newton and Mrs E. C. Latter had given in collecting for the Mission, and also thc kind supervision of Mrs Lane _s Lady Visitor to the Home. The. proprietors of the Press and Star newspapers had also rendered great assistance to the work. The Committee were pleased to be able to state that the present Home was a comfortable house, and in every way suitable to the Mission; and Mre Lane, as Lady Visitor, reported that the internal management was very satisfactory, the Matron having her heart thoroughly in the work. The report concluded with an appeal to all for assistance to the Mission.

The balance-sheet, duly audited by Mr J. P. Newman, showed the receipts to have been:—Loan from members of Committee, £50; subscriptions and donations, £208 5s 2d ; total, £258 os 2d. Expenditure, £216 5s Od, including the repayment of half the .loan of £50, leaving a credit balance of £41958 d.

The Rev. W. J. Williams moved, the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, congratulating the Committee upon the success of the Mission, and expressing a hope that an endeavor would oe made to arouse a widespread interest in the movement, so that its operations.' conld be extended to discharged female prisoners. He also congratulated the Committee on having the services Of such a valuable Secretary as MrHerrlck had proved himself to be.

Mr A. Cox seconded the motion, which was carried nem. con.

A letter was read from one of the recent inmates of the Home, expressing deep gratitude for -what had been done for him there.

The Chairman said that if the Home could be got on lease for a term, it would not cost much to enlarge it. The Rev. R. Erwtn expressed his pleasure at finding the mission was a success. He referred to the mention in the report of those discharged prisoners who were not thought fit subjects for the home, and said that the worst should be given as much help as possible in order to induce them to lead better lives. He mo\ed that the officers lie elected as follows v— Lady Jervois, patron: Mrs Lane, lady visitor; Committee/Mesdames Packe, H. E..May, Bo wen, F. Banks, and Mellish, Mr J. Joyce, M.H.R., Mr A. Cox, Rev. Sotham; Mr H. D. Carter, hon. Treasurer; Mr T. lierrick, hon. Secretary. Mr J. M. HeywoTod seconded the motion, and asked if the short-sentenced prisoners discharged from Addington were given any assistance. The Chairman, in reply to the Rev. Mr Erwin, said that those men be had referred to were those who had been through the Home several times, and who were hardened criminals. The Secretary was unable to visit Addington, and moreover, there was not room at present for an increased number of inmates, but Mr Donaldson, the head gaoler at Addington, had been asked to send down any deserving cases. Mrs Packe, on behalf of the Women's Temperance Union, spoke in favor of the work being extended to discharged female prisoners. The Chairman said it was a question of money, and the Committee would be glad to take up that branch of work when accommodntioa was afforded. -. He referred to the action of the Secretary in visiting the Police Court, and on several occasions had been instrumental in saving boys from being punished or being sent to Burnham by taking charge of them. It j was intended to take steps to have the [ institution brought under the Charitable Institutions Act in order to participate in the Government subsidy. '.. -- Mr T* H. Smeaton in* moving a vote of I thanks to the previous speakers, spoke of i the excellent work done by tfref mission, | and said that more should be done in the . direction-of preventing crime. The meeting was then closed with the I singing of a hymn and pronouncing of the I Benediction.