CANCELLING OF GAOL CHAPLAIN'S APPOINTMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1320, 17 March 1877, Page 7

CANCELLING OF GAOL CHAPLAIN'S APPOINTMENT.

A meeting of ministers was held in the classrooia of Knox Church on the sth. There were present the Rev. Dr Stuart, Archdeacon Edwards, Rev. Messrs Davis, Russell, Blake, Moore, Mackie, Copland, and Roseby, and Messrs D. Wright, Torranoe, and M'Fie. The purpose of the meeting was to take into consideration the resolution, of the Government to discontinue Mr Torrance's services as Chaplain of tut Gaol.

The Rev. Dr Stuart was proposed as Chairman, and took the chair accordingly. He stated that nine years ago the Provincial Government had put themselves in communication with the ministers of Dunedin, requesting them to recommend one who should act as Chaplain to the Gaol, Hospital, and Asylum. On their recommendation Mr Torrance was appointed. He had now received notice that his services would be dispensed with at the end of March. The Chairman read the following letter from Mr Strode : —

Cranmore Lodge. 1 I have known Mr J. A. Torrance, fnr^ several years past, and I am aware that his duties as Chaplain to the Gaol, Hospital, and Lunatic Asylum at Dunedin, have been of a mo3t onerous nature. , As a visiting Magistrate of Dunedin Gaol for many years, I have great pleasure in testifying to the constant and unceasing exertions of Mr Torrance for the good of the prisoners. His duties, which have been conducted with- much zeal, ability, and sound judgment, have, moreover, not been xonfined to prisoner* whilst in the Gaol, but he has done very good service in assisting and inducing discharged prisoners to earn an honest livelihood, and go on in a better way in future, thus conferring substantial benefit on the country at large. ! I consider that the Gaol and the other institutions will suffer a great loss by the withdrawal of his seivices.

I His character in every way Is unimpeachable, and I wou'd strongly recommend him as moat reliable in any position of trust. A. Chetham Strode, R.M., • Chairman Visiting Justices, Dunedin Gaol March 2, 1877. AI3O, the following, from Mr Caldwell, Governor of the Gaol : — Gaol, Dunedin, March 5, 1877. The Rev. Dr Stuart I have much pleasure in complying with your request that I should furnish you with a note bearing testimony to the value of Mr Torrance's services as Chaplain of the Gaol. I can very truly say that during the tune he has officiated as Chaplain, he has eutirely discharged his very onerous and irksome duties in a" most satisfactory manner. I have always found him *t his post very assiduous. He meri'S my warmest commendation for the manner in which he has assisted discharged prisoners in procuring empoyment, and giving money out of his own pocketduties requiring great care and attention. I shall, with others, regret his removal from among us, while, at the same time, he has my wishes for the attainment of a similar appointment which may conduce to his present and future welfare.— l am, &c, James Calbwtili,, Governor Gaol. I omitted saying that I am deeply indebted to Mr Torrance for his attendance at our night school ; also, I in forming our very excellent choir.— J.C. Mr Torrance stated that the number attending his services in the Gaol was usually 90 ; in the Asylum, 80 ; and in the Hospital, 20 or Mr M'Fxe gave testimony to the laborious nature of Mr Torrance's work, of which the public services he conducted formed only the least part.

Rev. Mr Davies moved that this meeting hears with regret the decision, of the Govern ment to relinquish the support of a chaplain for the Gaol, and deems it very desirable to retain the services of one so experienced as Mr Torrance in connnection. with the Gaol, Asylum, and Hospital. This was seconded by Archdeacon Edwards, and agreed to unanimously. Dr Copland moved that a memorial to the Government be drawn up, praying for a reconsideration of their decision in reference to the cancelling of Mr Torrance's appointment, and that a deputation present it to any member of the Government who may be accessible and urge reasons in support ot it. This was seconded by Dr Roseby, and unanimously agreed to.

The committee consisted of Archdeacon Edwards, Dr Roseby, Dr Stuart, Mr Davis, and Dr Copland ; Archdeacon Edwards, convener. The committee was also authorised to take any other steps that might be deemed necessary to secure the end in view.