PATIENTS' AND PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11917, 15 December 1900, Page 8

PATIENTS' AND PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY.

The twenty-third annual meeting of members of tho Patient* and Prisnnoy;' Aid Society wa.i held yesterday afternoon in tho Y.W.C.A. Rooms. There was a fair attendance. In tho ahsence of Mr' Justice Williams (lie chair was taken by Mr ]{. Chisholm (Mayor of Dunodm).

Apologies for non-aUendaneo. wore received from Mr Justice Williams (who was engaged in Supreme Court business), tho Rev. I). Borrie, the Rev. W. Uewitson, the Rev. W. Cur/.on-Siggers, the Rev. .T. Gibh. the Rev. Dr Waddell, Messrs F. Z. Moore, K. Ramsay, G. Ij. Denniston, W. L. Logic, and (!. Fenwick.

Mr R. Chisholin (the Mayor), on taking tho 1 ehuir. said it was hardly neee^ary he should | say that no one lvgrelied morn than he did that circumstances should have arisen necessitating the absence of, Mr Justice Williams from the animal meeting of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society. His Honor was very much to the annual meeting nf the society what Mr Torranee was to its oncrafions : ho was well-nigh indispensable. Thov could always learn something from what Mr Justice Williams said on any occasion, and everyone looked forward to hsi presidency at the annual .meeting of the society with the very greatest pleasure, for he had ;>lwayi-' sonicthing to say that was refreshing to the society and encouraging to its worthy agent. It was to him a matter nf great regret when he learned that Mr Justice Williams would, through pressure of business, lie unable to take the chair, and that this agent of the society had been unable to secure the services of Mr George l'"cnwick to tnke his place. Mr Torranee having beenl unahle to secure the attendance of either of the gentlemen named had turned his eyes in the, direction of tho Town Hall, and applied to him for assistance. When thus applied to he was engaged in very necessary and important work, but as he had said at the time, if there was one man more than another whom he would try to serve, that man was the agent of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society. In moving the adoption of the report, he might say that it was very much akin to the annual reports that had becu so ofreu submitted for their approval. It was bi-iof and to the point; thoroughly characteristic of their agent, by whom practically tho report was prepared. " It was not necessary he should detain them long by niakinp; rein;tiks in moving its adoption. The very satisfactory nature of the report was apparent, at the very outset. However successful the report might be generally, if the financial \n\ri was not favourable, that fact would detract very much from the satisfaction they might otherwise experience. In the present instance- it was very gratifying to see that the very first section of the report showed that the financial condition of the society was satisfactory: indeed, he did not. think for many years they had been able, to furnish v more satisfactory statement of accounts. Those who had so considerately contributed to the fundp of the society "had contributed enough to meet the expenditure, and to leave a balance of

some £22. Not last year, but for some year.--. previous to thai the, committee had experienced difficulty in making both ends meet, but it was gratifying to iind that from Hie prosperity existing in Duncdiu the society appeared to be reaping some benefit. Another part of the report which lie thought it very desirable should be emphasised was the fact that while as chaplin Mr Torrance's ministrations were confined to Protestants, the aid branch of the society was in no way restricted. In this respect the society was cosmopolitan, and where aid iva< wanted it was given upon the merits of the case, and quite irrespective of creed or denomination. Perhaps the most refreshing and encouraging part of the report was that which referred to Mr Torranee's

(■■la to of health. This was most cheering. To him Mr Ton-ante seemed In lie an essential part of the Clients niicl Prisoners' Aid Society; if he was eliminated a bliink would be created which it would lie very difficult indeed to fill. The committee had therefore felt the position was a very serious one when they had to face the fact that Mr Torranee's health was failing, and that if it (lid not' improve he would be unable to continue the discharge of his duties. Although Air Torrm:e could nsrmnp a very stern aspect, and could be pretty .-■■■vcre and lianl in dea'.in'j; with certain ra,-o.—.uid it was ■.veil f"r :he society this wa» so—yet :i kinder kea.i. than his. never beat in. imy man's breast. Air

Torranoe was man who was brim-full of kindness and. sympathy, but happily he Ucr that balance, the result' of long experience and keen observation, whicr. made him in all respects a satisfactory agent, and one whose services could not be lightly esteemed. It was therefore most gratifying to find that his health was restored,'and the paragraph referring to this was by no means the least important which the report contained. It was not necessary for him to dwell further upon the report, which, as he had said before., was to the point,- brief, clear, and satisfactory, and altogether such as they would expect from Mr Torrance. He had much pleasure in moving its adoption. Mr l-S. M. Thomson seconded the motion, and in doing' so referred in terms of praise, to the manner in which Mr Torrance, the society's agent, carried out what was undoubtedly a difficult part, of his duty—attending to discharged prisoners. It was a work of extreme .difficulty, requiring extraordinary tact, and one of the most gratifyin^ things in the report was the statement that Mr Torrmico had been able to assist men and women who had just been discharged from gaol, and in that way had helped them to move upwards to a better level.

The motion was carried unanimously mk toiikaxck's adohess.

Mr Torninco, the agent <5f tho society, was called on to say a few words. On rising he was received with applause. lie said'in* would not take up much of tho time of the meeting. He was grateful for tho kind. remarks made concerning him, and for tiie confidence reposed in him. His work, taking it altogether, was a pleasant work, although, in a way, it was very sad work. He had to visit the hospital with its physically sick, the gaol with its morally sick, and the asylum with its 650 inmate,* who were mentally sick. In addition, there were eases of visitation. It was a grand work, to his mind, and, as lie had said before, on the whole it was pleasant, and he was thankful to God that his health had been restored in a largo measure to him. There was another matter he would like to refer to. The chairman had paid that while he was the Protestant chaplain, and confined himself to Protestants, the other branch of the 'work was as cosmopolitan as it could well be. That was perfectly true. In that connection he would like to remark that 32 years had elapsed since he took office. A new generation had .sprung up in that time, and he believed there were those in tho community who did not understand the position. His appointment was brought about in this way: The Provincial Government of Otago decided to establish tho position of chaplain in connection with the hospital, the gaol, and the asylum. The position had existed previously, but had lapsed, and 32 years ago it was voted into existence again. The question of nominating a person to fill the position was referred to the Protestant ministers of Dunedin—Church of Kngland, Wesleyans, Presbyterians, Coiigrcgationalists. elc.,—anil they nominated him (the speaker), and the result was his appointment by the Government.—(Applause.) It was only right, he thought, that it should be known that, nil through he had occupied the position on the recommendation in the first instance of all the Protestant ministers of Dunedin. Some years later, when the provincial government system was abolished, the society was formed by gentlemen representing the different Protestant churches, and he was continued as. chaplain, with the addition of the oHice of agent. His position was, therefore, wholly unsectarian. When lie came across smy case of a member of the Church of England in serious condition lie apprised a minister of that church. He did also with the Wesleyans and others, and the same with the Roman Catholics. He had himself gone to the Catholic people, and let them know that a member of their flock was in a low condition and required ministerial attention.— (Applause.) Again, ho thanked the meeting for the kind things they had said about him.

Tlio Rev. Mr Mmrhoad moved—" That a vote of ihanks bo accorded to the committee for their services .hiring the past year, and that the following gentlemen bo the officebearers and the committee for the ensuing year:—President, Air .lattice Williams; vice-president, Mr IS. K. C. Quick; lion, treasurer, -Mr \V. Ilislop: committee— Messrs 0. Fe.ini.'!;, K. Chisliolm, A. S. Pafeorson, P. Duncan, W. Goiv, K. E. Smith, P. Barr, F. Z. Moore. W. Downio Stewart, T. H. Dick, Captain Thomson, and Dr Hislop." Mr A. I\. Falconer seconded the motion, which was carried. (■OMI'LISIKKTAIiV .AXll OEN'EKAI.. The Eev. Mr .Sponce u:.oved—" That a hearty vol.) of thanks be accorded those gentlenien wlio assisted Mr Tojrance in constitutions; to the collectors in town and country districts for their valuable services, and the city, suburban, and country churches am! Sahbaili school; which gave liberal collections and donations; to the friends in town and country wiio co-opcraled with Mr Torrance on behalf of individuals; to the friends who gave employment to the persons iceomnun-.iod by the agent, and, in the country district,--,'homos also to young persons; and to this honorary auditor of the year's accounts." He would like tho people of Oiago to recognise tho good work of me ,-oeioty, so that they might bo more Überal in the support they extended to it. i\ir .1. P. Arm.-trong seconded the motion, which w.is carried. Mr .1. B. Thomson moved— '■ That thi-; soeieiy is worthy of public sympathy and 1 Hippoi-i, and that this meeting bespeaks for

Mr Torninc, from )v:-idenis in the country able employment for such persons discharged commended bY him.'1'

Mr W. iJott'nic Kieivarl seconded ihe motion. He took it that tha s-pccial appeal was m;;de to residents in the country districts because it was greatly to iho advantage of persons discharged from the several institutions tha; they shou'd be'in the country, where they u-e.ro surrounded by more hopeful circumstances than they would be in the towns. He had hiiiwolf mo', pf-rsom from time to time

who had borne witness 10 tho assistance received in that direction, and to numerous employers who, on the word of Mr Torranee

alone, were prepared to take persons discharged from those. institutions into their employment. That was high testimony to Mr Torrar.co'a judgment of character. Mr W. Hutchison said there were people in the community who favoured the establishment of temporavv homos or refuges for discharged prisoners'and others, in which they would have a little breathing time—time to look out for employment for themselves. At

first sight that seemed a very excellent pro

posal. and it appeared to liijn that there were ehciunstances under which it would be not only desirable but necessary. However, in conversation with their agent, he had learned that that worthy officer was not partial to these homes. Mr Tornuiee thought the unobtrusive and (piiot mode of dealing with cases was belter —belter for the public mid bolter for tho unfortunate individuals—than the adoption of any systematic and organised movement- oE outdoor provision. Mr Torrance said he knew that, some people thought there should be a home for discharged prisoners. He was against any proposal of the kind.—(Applause.) A home would mean a large expenditure of money, and it was really nrft required in Dimedin, especially with the successful arrangements they were at present able to make. Respecting the committee for the ensuing year he wished to observe that there were upon it the sons of four gentlemen who through long years had in their day served the society and aided earnestly and effectively in its work. He referred to Messrs T. H. Dick, W. Downie Stewart. I'1. Z. Moore, and P. Barr.—(Applause.) The motion was earned unanimously. (In the motion of the Kcv. Mr Todd. a vote of thanks was accorded the chairman for presiding, and tho meeti'ag was closed with prayer by the Rev. .Mr Spenco.