PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

Evening Star, Issue 14214, 13 November 1909, Page 11

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS

Following is the tbit ly-second ic-p-ort of the I’atiente, and Prisoners’ Aid Society, to he presented to the annual meeting: Ibe Committee have great pleasure in acknowledging Iho liberal support given to the society dining the past year. It is indeed gratifying to note that while the year lias been looked upon as a somewhat tight one, the revenue of the society has not. suffered. The society’s income for tne year amounts to the sum of £503 14s cd, the total figures on the credit side, with bink balance added, being £670 T>s sd. while the expend it tire has been £419 14s lOd. leaving a credit working balance ot £259 10s 7d. In addition to this, there is a sunt ol £252 10s 4d on fixed deposit. a re-'-ovve fund. We am sure that this gu ti f vu-.g state ol things must be a.s aim-factory io the friends of the so, iefy. the cluuv.ire; who so generously helped the work, and to the collectors a: it is to the membets of tho Committee.

la other respects the year lias been a good one. Soiuetfling hke 628 visits hove I ecu made to the various institutions by our agent, while in tire same institutions 286 services have been Held. Visitations and services alike arc a great comfort to the sick, the eiimmal. and the mentally adllictcd. Gur agent attends the courts, ami lias firm time t,> time been able to iruder help to those to whom the Judge, m M a gist i ate may care to give a chance (o relorni bv placing themselvcis in our agent .s hands. Material help nag been given to 223 case'. 'I his has taken the fonn of dot lies, Ices, fares, boats, blankets. implements, and groceries. Alonoy is given :n small amounts only. Wore it not tor lire society s hfdping hand manv <•! tire person;; so iielpeil would become l a burden on the ratepayers. i no Commit to-.’ desire to thank tho collectors in town and country districts, and all who have so willingly given cm ploy - incut (o those recommended bv our agent. I hey also thank the- ehiel officers, nurses, attendants, and waulers of the several indilutions both for their kindly help and generous co-oportUion with our agent in connection with individual caeca. Io (he speakers, organists, and singers for both the hospital and gaol the thanks <d, Dre t oinmittoe are dire, 'these kind triond;; give a, good deal of time to the work_ol lire ,-ocicty. This nui-t moan the exerci e <n a good deal of aeif-dcnial on Hrem part : but have their toward when they ice that their presence gives pleasure to palients and prisoners alike. lire soep-gv benefited to the extent o; 0.-75 trout tin- Hospital Saturday colloe- ; ion- Ike so, iely are now permanently imdi'.dc.l in the list of participants from this Kind. Since our last report Air (".'. ('. Graham Ires icliiod from the position of one of the stipeudiaiy for the City, as likewise inis Air Brat by from the gover-nor.-tnp of Hie gaol. The Committee wish to place on record the many kindnesses shown to the society and imc-ir agent bv Hicao two gentlemen. Air Scaiilnn. who succeeded Air Bralby, wc are pleased to know, is in full sympathy with the society, and gives their agent. ‘ every facility to carry on bis woik of reformat ion' and irscue. Air Gumming lias during tire past year given evidence of his qualiiicnlinn f<,; tin- position he holds. He is proving himself a worthy successor io the late Air doirance, whose ministrations as the society's chaplain and agent for practically a lifetime haw- made his name a household word in this pait of New Zealand. Tire society have been fortunate in seeming in Air ('iimmiire an abb- succes.-or to Mr To trance, and the Gommittee have iniu-li pleasure in expressing their great salisiaction with Mr Gumming's earnest, unremitting, and successful work. In conclusion, the Committee have every tea-on to believe that tho usefulncfs of tire society during tire past year has at least been equal to that of previous veins, and they look forwatd to tire- coming' year with the confidence and hope that," as in tho past, ihe generous public will ever remember the needs of a society who have for more than thirty years clone valuable reformatory work, and been instrumental in affording material help to tho afflicted and distressed.