DISCHARGED PRISONERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 16

DISCHARGED PRISONERS

WORK OF SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING HELD The urgent need of the Auckland Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society for funds to carry on its work was emphasised by several speakers at tho annual meeting of tho society last night. Mr. C. F. Bennett presided oyer an attendance of about 25 people. The annual report and balance-sheet, details of which have already appeared in the Herald, wore adopted. The valuable work done by tho society was emphasised by Mr. Bennett. He said the markod decline in the average number of prisoners in the Auckland Prison between 1029 and 1938, spoke volumes for the work of the organisation. Tributes were paid to the secretary, the Rev. G. E. Moreton, and to the Auckland placement officer, Mr. J. R. Elsbury, and others for their work in assisting prisoners and their wives and families. The meeting decided to ask the Government to increase the society's grant to £2OO. Reference was also made to the desirability of increasing Mr. Moreton's stipend and generally improving tho finances of the organisation. A committeo is to bo sot up to approach varipus financial institutions for assistance. The following officers were elected:— Patron, Archbishop Averill; president, Sir Ernest Davis; vice-presidents, Sir Henry Horton, Sir Cecil Leys, Sir Walter, Stringer, Mr. Justico Callan, Mr. A. J. Stratford. Mr. W. R.Wilson; honorary medical officers, Dr. W. G. Borrie, Dr. T. H. Pettit: honorary solicitors, Messrs. K. C. Aickins, B. E. Goldwater, J. W. Manning, H. A. Stedman and T. Sparling; honorary auditors, Messrs. Morris, Duncan and Gyllies; executive committee, Archbishop Averill, chairman, the Revs. A. Astor, T. Halliday, Father Lavelle, A. E. Orr and F. de Lisle. Captain S. R. Banyard, Messrs. L. .T. Armitago, C. F. Bennett, J. W. Court, P. Hayward, J. W. Manning, W. M. Ravner and W. H, Whitelaw and the Rev. G. E. Moreton.