PATIENTS AND PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2232, 10 December 1896, Page 55

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY.

The following is the annual report :—

In issuing the nineteenth report of the society tlie committee tender their thanks to the subscribers and collectors in town and country districts, to the churches and Sabbath schools from which liberal collections and donations were received, to the friends in dis'ant places who voluntarily sent substantial subscriptions, and to all others who in various ways furthered tbe society's objects, among them the gentlemen who helped Mr Torrance in ihe Sunday set vices, the ladies and gentlemen who cn-opeiatcd with him in conuectiou with individual cases, and those employers who gave work to persons recommended by the agent. <

The income for the year, inclusive of a credit balance of £Q 2s 6d from the previous year, amounted to JE344 3s lOd, and the expenditure to JG3H4 8s 6d. It is pleasing to note that in four instances men for whom the agent found employment promptly returned the amounts pf the material assistance they received. In another i:a*e the goods supplied for trading purposes to a man who immediately resumed his evil ways were at once secured and returned to the firm from which they were purchased, and the amount was restored to the society's funds. Now that the .society is well understood, and as the acrent's statement i 3 appended, a lengthy explanation from the committee is not needtd. They think it sufficient to acy that, in addition to the pastoral branch, the society's object is, not to give aid indiscriminately or (save in exceptional cases) largely, but such as-stscance by the outlay of money or by effort as will put it in the power of persons who give promise of good purpose to act for themselves. Irrespective of religious beliefs or natioaality, help in every posuible way is freely given. The line is drawn only as between the habitually indis-nosed, who give no indications in tho dirc-ction of a better life, and those who do give such indication?, whatever their previous record.

The committee again avail themselves of the opportunity to heartily thank the officers of the several institutions for the kindly support given by them to the agent. Mr Torrance, the secretary, has discharged his duties throughout the year with enthusiasm and judgment, and has given every satisfaction to your committee.

TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE PATIENTS AND PRI- ONERS' AID SOCiETY.'

Gentlemen,— lv furnishing you with a rSbumi of the year's proceedings, I find it difficult to avoid expressing myself as in former statements. It can readily be understood that year iv and cut there is very much of a sameness m the work, while as from day to day the cases dealt with vary more or lass.

When all the institutions were within the bounds of the city, Sunday service in each was easily accomp'ished, but now that they are widely separated— the hospital and the gaol in Dunedin, the asylum at Seacliff, and the branch prison at the hcids— it is a work of considerable difficulty. With Ihe kind assistance of friends, however, the services were maintained, and I have again to say that to the Wesleyan gentlemen in charge- of the northern end of the Peninsula, I am deeply indebted for the help given by them In connection with the branch prison, which, owing to its remoteness and thp difficulty _ in leaching it, I can visit only occasionally. Contrary to the popular belief, religious work in the asylum is prized by many of the inmates, whose mental impairment is only partial. In addition to the services in that institution, when at Seacliff I take my turn with the Preabyterians and Wesleyans in coiiductiug service in iho district E>chooihou3e with the settlers. In the matter of week-day visitation, the sick and dying in the hospital call for the first and chief attention, and in the nature of things it is there that desirable results are most generally observable. As Protestant chaplain I am careful, as I have ever been, to respect denominational profession and the rules of the institutions bearing upon church connection, the result as regards the representatives of the several denominations and myself being that there is the kindliest feeling and confidence. At the same time the objects of the society's charitable branch are carried out in the most thorough cosmopolitan spirit. While the society's pastoral and aid branches form my work proper, many incidental duties that cannot be detailed devolve upon me, and these absorb a large amount of time. Interests of importance to persons who in their circumstances cannot act for themßelves, have to be attended to, and in this way many opportunities of rendering efficient service arise. Good results accrue especially from correspondence with friends of the persons concerned, as in a good many instances larger material assistance was obtained for them than could have been given from the society's general fund. The sums so received are acknowledged in the subscription list. Much time was also occupied in visitation to the homes of persons who, still invalided, left the hospital, and to the homes of other sick people not connected with any of the churches. I am, of course, glad to be helpful in such cases, though they do not conio within my province. It can also be readily understood that to a large extent my position leads persons in needy circumstances from one cause or another to appeal to me, too many being unfairly sent by citizens. In this connection I may state, as I did last year, that several gentlemen made me their almoner. That is to say, they by note refer applicants to m?, leaviug it to me to inquire and give or not givs, according to the knowledge of fche persona I jhav have or may gain, and tha

amounts expanded are immediately made good. By this plan really deserviug cases are assisted, while those gentlemen have effectually god rid of the "regulars." In carrying out the society's aid branch, and so to enable persons to act for themselves, material and other assistance was rendered to about 220, and assistance by effort only to as many more, including supplies of clothing generously provided by ladies and gentlemen in the city. Some of those assisted have given unqualified satisfaction, and letters received from and concerning several helped to distant places— two to the Home Country, a number to Australia, and others to different parts of this colony— Bhow that the aid given them was to good purpose. From the society's funds articles of clothing were given to 17 persons, boots to 29, blankets to 14, board (ordinarily Btnall) to HO, railway or boat fare to 44, working implements or material to 16, money (mostly in small sums) to 36, and miscellaneous articles to several. Work, mainly temporary, was found for about a dozen men and young persons, chiefly in country districts, and of these four men honourably returned the amounts advanced on their behalf. As in previous years, a good many letters of inquiry were received from friends and relatives of inmates of all the institutions. Among the good remits arising from the correspondence was the restoration of one youth and one girl to their homes. It gives me pleasure to say that lam on the happiest terms with the managers of the Female Refuge and Rescue Home and other workers in Ounedin, and with the Migdala Asylum and Salvation Army - authorities in Christchurch, by all of whom valuable help has from time to time beeu given in connection with individual cases, with pi cruises of further assistance whenever it is required. Amonjj the " other workers " in Dunedin to whom I am indebted are Mr Falconer, Rtaiuen's missionary, through whose I kind influence positions on board ship for lads j were > obtained ; Miss Sinclair, of the .Sisters' Mission ; and Miss Nevison and Mrs Hall, of the Young Women's Christian Association. I will only add that I am grateful for the sympathy and confidence of the chief officers aud staffs of the several institutions, aud I also thankfully acknowledge the kind consideration I have received at your hands. I am, gentlemen, ; Faithfully yours, J. A. Torrance. The Albany street School Fife and Drum Band, under the leadership of Mr J. L. Ferguson, had a most enjoyable outing on Saturday. The band to the number of 60, accompanied by a number of the teachers and Seventh Standard pupils, proceeded by the south express to Henley, and thence by Mr M'Kegg's steamer to the mouth of the Taieri, where they enjoyed themselveß to their heart's content. A windfall' in the sbapa of a bank draft for £100 has reached the Benevolent Asylum (says the Melbourne Age). It was from a weatffcy lady relative in Ireland of a recsatly deceased inmate. The lady had been written to and. made acquainted with the condition of her relative. "Do what you can for bim," she wrote ; "he has never given us any other address than G P. 0., Melbourne. You aeed not acquaint him of this remittance to your noble institution." The man, as it happened, was buried' a fortnight ago. Mr Cook expressed hia doubt as to the justice, in the circumstances, of retaining the draft. " Certaiuly," chorused the committee, "for services rendered by the institution." The lady was thereupon made a life governor of the institution, and it was decided to wrUe to her to that tffoct, and to convey the- thanks t of the committes for the remittance. The official assignee at Wellington, in accordance with a suggestion made in the Bankruptcy Court by Mr Justice Edwa'ds, has decided to represent to the Minister for Justice the Atlvisubleness of assimilating the I provisions of the Distress for Rent Act with that of the Bankruptcy. Act in no far as the i exemption on the furniture and effects of a '■ debtor is concerned. Under the Distress for Rent Act a levy can be made on all the goods • of a debtor with the exception of the tools and heddicg, but under the Bankruptcy Act the ! furniture and effects to a certain value are protected. Mr Justice Edwards ia of opinion Shat fewer cases would come before.the Bankruptcy Court if the provision in the Bankruptcy Act relating to furniture and effects wore inserted ia tbe Distress for Kent Bill. -