N.Z. SOCIETY FOB PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10427, 27 April 1897, Page 6

N.Z. SOCIETY FOB PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

The third annual general meeting of subscribers to the New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children was held yesterday afternoon in the Social Hall of the Y.M.C.A., Wellesley-street. There was a goad attendance, including several ladies, present. Mr. J, J. Holland, M.H.R., in the chair.

The Chairman, in his opening remarks, referred to the large amount of excellent work being carried on iu a quiet, unostentatious manner by the society since its inception three years ago. While many would no doubt think that there was little necessity for a society of tho nature, a perusal of the annual report would immediately dispel any such doubts. The annual report as read by the secretary (Miss Porter) showed that during the outgoing twelve months 138 cases had bean dealt with by the committee. These cases were summarised thus:— Cases of seduction, 40; young persons removed frdm dangerous surroundings, 13; cases in which cruelty was alleged against a husband, 44; cases in which cruelty was alleged against those in charge of children, 17; various matters, 21. These cases were dealt with by the committee with the following results:—Arranged in various ways without recourse to the courts, 66; convicted by the court or arranged through its mediums, 21; dismissed, 1; apparently genuine, but nob sufficient evidence, 19; declined, friends being in a position to employ legal assistance, 4; inquired into but not proceeded with for various reasons, 13; now in course of examination, 14. Satisfaction was expressed at the fact that the Government bad appointed women in four of the centres to look after children boarded out under the Infants' Life Protection Act. It wag shown that the object of the Society was to prevent cruelty, and that only when a letter of warning, and all other means for procuring an amicable settlement of difficulties or unpleasantness failed, were prosecutions resorted to. The statement of accounts showed receipts including a balance of £7 5s lid brought forward from last year, to be £203 0s 8d and expenditure £186 5s 10d, leaving a credit balance of £16 14s 10d. The report and accounts were adopted. The election of officers was then proceeded with and resulted as under:—President, His Excellency the Governor; vicepresidents, the Right Rev. Bishop Lenihan, Hone. W. Jennings, W. McCullough M.LCs., Revi. R. F. Macnicol (Presbyterian Church), 6. A. Goldstein (Rsbbi), C. E. Ward (Primitive Methodisb Church), H. R. Dewsbury (Chairman Wesleyan Church District Synod), B. L. Thomas (Congregational Church), Staff-Captain Cain (Salvation Army); committee, Mr. Henry Wilding (chairman), Mesdamea King, A. K. Taylor, Rev. H. Bull, Mr. j. Elkin, Or. Knisrht, Rev. W. A. Sinclair, Mr*. Main, Messrs E. Baker, John Bollard, Captain Sparks (Salvation Army Rescue Homo), Kabbi Goldstein, Inspector Hickson, Dr. King, M.R.C.S., Revs. F. Warner, L Fitzgerald, Messrs. J. L Wilson, Geo. Fowlds, Thwaites; hon. treasurer, Mr. Richard Udy; hon. auditor: Mr. C. A. Jonii; honorary solicitors • Messrs. P. E Baume, P. W. Brookfield, C. E. Button, M.H.R., Theo. Cooper, W. A. Carruth, Thoe. Gresham, J. W. Gittos, E. Mahony, J. R. Reed, J. St. Clair, J. W, Stewart, Wm. Thorne; secretary, Miss Porter. Special reference was made to the excellent work done by the secretary, The Rev. H. Bull, in accordance with notice given, moved:—" That in the opinion of thie meeting renewed effort should be made to secure the amendments in the law which are desired by thi Society." The mover epoke briefly to the motion, which wm seconded by Mr, French, and unanimously adopted. Votes of thanks to the outgoing committo», the honorary aolieitort, auditors, ate.','«» to the chairman, terminated the proceeding*. . ■