PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19144, 9 October 1925, Page 10

PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY.

VALUABLE SOCIAL WORK. APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE. The 24th annual meeting of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society was held yesterday, Archbishop Averiil presiding. A sincere tribute to the work of the late Mr. C. E. Matthews, ControllerGeneral of Prisons, was paid by the secretary, the Rev. E. C. Budd, in the annual report. The society placed on record its deep sense of the loss sustained by the death of Mr. Matthews. Most of the improvements effected in the prisons of the Dominion, including the after-care and supervision of dischargees, are due to him," continued the report. In a recent letter he said, " there are far too few really intelligent persons assisting in the work of reclamation. There are also far too few people outside the prisons who will render any assistance in the rehabilitation of' the released prisoner." An outline of the work performed during the year was given by the secretary, special mention being made of a legacy of 20gns received from the late Mr. L. M. Neumegan. "In this connection we again invite those with ample means to remember the Discharged Prisoners" Aid Society when making their testamentary dispositions. There is little doubt that the need for this humanitarian work will always remain," stated the report. " The number ol persons discharged from "he Auckland prison for the year ending December 31, 1924, was 1569. About 400 of these received assistance in some form. Assistance has also been given to families, often the greatest sufferers, but for this object the funds at our disposal are all (oo inadequate. In response to an appeal at Christmas for distressed families, £l2 was received by the treasurer. Up to the present no remuneration has been paid to the society's agents, and* there are no office expenses. The report concluded with an expression of thanks to the Controller-General, the superintendent, the matron and the prison officers generally, for their willing cooperation. Special reference was mavie by Archbishop Averiil to the devoted of the secretary, who worked unceasingly in the interests of the unfortunate men whom the society sought to serve. At present, funds were so meagre thai no office could he maintained, and a largt) portion of the work was done by Mr. Budd, at his private residence, at a good deal of personal inconvenience. The following officers were elected: — President, Archbishop Averiil; vicepresidents, Mr. Justice Stringer, Mr. C. Hudson and Mr. E. C. Cut ten. 8.M.; committee. Sister Hannah, Canon Hnselden, the Rev. J. Caldcr, Messrs. E. Hall, R. Marsack and C. Hudson.