PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 5

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS’ AID SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society was held on the 16th inst. at the Town Hall, when Sir George Fenwick (vice-president) presiding over a large attendance. Letters of apology were received from the president (the Hon. Mr Justice'Sim, Acting Chief Justice), Mr J. M. Gall away, and Air Walter Blackie, members of committee, and a telegram from Mrs Jackson, president of the St. Vincent do Paul Society, expressing thanks for the help given her by Air Gumming, and trusting the society would have a good meeting. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of tho report and balance sheet, said it was unnecessary for him to speak at any length on the general matters* referred to in the committees report and in those of Mr Gumming and Sister Nora. The combining of the work of the Victoria. Jubilee Convalescent Fund with that of the society was one of the subjects that should be refen-cd to by him, and it save him great pleasure to express his satisfaction and that of the committee that the ladies who had for many years been at the head of the Victoria Jubilee Convalescent Fund had decided to throw their lot in with the society. The negotiations to this effect’ had been most satisfactorily concluded, and they included the transferring of the Victoria Jubilee Fund’s assets and the addition to the society's committee of three of the ladies who were on the committee of the other body. The chairman then referred to the serious effect on "the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society’s finances consequent en the Public Subscription Association’s failure to obtain sufficient- funds to enable them to pay to the various bodies interested the amounts they had individually looked for. Tl?e soc.ety had only received £IBO from this source instead of the amount they bad looked for—three times the sum they had received. Further, that instead of receiving the £IBO mentioned during the society’s fianancial year it had not been paid over to it until recently. He did not cast any reflections on the committee of the Public Subscriptions Association because of this. He knew that those gentlemen, and especially their chairman, Air Waters, had worked hard to ensure the success of their scheme. The result was. however, most unfortunate, and had resulted in a great loss to the society,, which had intimated that although t:ie amount was not received until recently it must be regarded as strictly applicable to last year’s funds. The chairman then paid a tribute to the valuable services of the hospital choir which, under the auspices of the society, regularly visited the hospital and gave pleasure to the inmates, and spoke of the valuable help given by the society- s agent, Air Camming, to the men who unfortunately came before the courts, and to the families or many of them. Mr Gumming- in ins report, referred to the good work done amongst men and women who came before tne courts. While he would not for one moment belittle that work, which was an important one. he thought that the most important work the scciey undertook was that of looking after the patients coming the hospitals, and particularly women with families. Speaiking of the James Powell Rest Home, Sir George said that when tho committee decided to carry out the idea of a convalescent home the important question of finance had to be considered. They had to expend £2500 on the purchase of the property and building, and an additional £4OO or £SOO on furnishing. This financial burden was considerably lightened by the handsome bequest of £3OOO by Air James Powell, of Westport. Out of that, however, the Government'took £350 for death dues, so that only £2650 was available for the committee. Then, too, they had Ho purchase additional land from Captain Hankey, so that the whole of the bequest would be used. The committee’s hope that it would be possible to save £IOOO out of the bequest so as to provide for the deceased donor’s annual subscription of £SO had, therefore, not been realised. 110 hoped that some generous friend or friends would take the hint and help them out of this difficulty. The Mayor of the City (Mr J. S. Douglas), in seconding the motion, remarked that-the report showed that the work of the society during the year had been well carried out by the committee and the agent. It was a very desirable work from a civio point of view, and he wished to thank Air Gumming for the assistance he. had been to him. Alany cases of hardship were brought under his notice, and he was glad of the assistance of so experienced and sympathetic a mail as the society’s agent-. He also desired in tin's conneciion to thank the Rev. Bryan King for his help. The work of Sister Nora and Mrs ATGiil was also most valuable, and he was pleased to see ‘a reference to his Honor Air Justice Sim, Sir George Fenwick, and Air Logie. He fully recognised the good done by the society, and he had many opportunities of seeing its results. He had many appeals for help, and it would be difficult to deal with these without the assistance of such, a society. If the citizens fully realised the work tho society was doing, the heart of the treasurer would bo gladdened by a considerable increase in the income.—(Applause.) The Rev. Tulloch Yuille, in supporting the motion, remarked that this meeting was one of tho Church universal. Those who gave a cup of cold water to those in need belonged to the Church of Christ. Air Yuille also bore testimony to the splendid work done by Mr Gumming and Sister Nora. The motion was carried unanimously. Air J. J. Clark moved : “ That a hearty vote of thanks bo accorded the ladies and "entlemen who have assisted the society in connection with their services in the several institutions, to tho collectors for their valuable assistance, to the churches that have given retiring collections, and friends for liberal donations and employment to persons who have been recommended by the agents, and to the officers of the several institutions, for assistance rendered ; and, further, that the Patients arid Prisoners’ Aid Society is worthy of support.” In doing so he remarked that tho city had very many societies of which it was justly proud, and amongst these the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society occupied a unique position. The splendid work done by its agents was something to admire and rejoice at. Mr P. M‘Skiinming seconded the motion. He remarked that ns for this society it had every right to expect publio sympathy and support. It looked not only after tho

morals of those coming within its scope, but after their spiritual needs as well. If they could touch the hearts of the people they wore certainly doing good work. They wanted not only to carry this resolution, but to see that the spirit of it was put into execution. In conclusion, if Air Gumming or Sister Nora would come out to the country he would be pleased to entertain them, and perhaps he might be able to assist them in collecting some money.— (Applause.) He moved that the Hon. Mr Justice Sim be re-elected president. This, on being put to the meeting, was carried with acclamation. Air C. E. Statham, M.P., moved that the following ladies and gentlemen be elected office-bgai-ers for the ensuing year:—A icepresidents, Sir George Fenwick and Mr 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M. ; lion, treasurer, Mr B. R. Smith; lion, secretary to the committee, Mr W. L. Logie; committee- Atesdames Alowat, E. C. Reynolds, and Alias Williams, and Messrs Peter Barr, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, J. M. Gall aw ay, D. E. Theomin, G. L. Dennistcn, F. Z. Moore, Walter Gow, A. S. Paterson, G. R. Ritchie, R. Gilkison, H. H. Driver, W. Bull, T. Somerville, C. W. Chamberlain, P. Al‘Skimming, jun., W. Easton, Walter Blackie, and Kiiprouv. in doing so lie remarked that he was glad to see that three ladies representing uie Ministering Children’s League were included in the committee; tho two organisations should be working 4o-geth-er. He must admit that the portion of the society’s work that appealed most to him was that amongst, the persons who were “down and out.” The Rev. Canon Nevill seconded the motion. He remarked that the Probat-on Act was going to alter the character of me society’s work to some extent. It was nowrealised that tho prison was really tile first place where reformative work should be undertaken. The work of the society would have to adopt itself to the new conditions. and he had no doubt that it would do so. Ho was glad that Sir George lenvvick had referred to the finances. As far as the Public Subscriptions Society was concerned, he thought it would bo desirable that contributions for any particular charity should be earmarked for that body. He was iusfc afraid that pooling the subscriptions deadened public interest in particular organisations, and it would be necessary to make special efforts for different bodies. But they might amalgamate effort, such as the Childrens Convalescent Home and the Victoria Convolescent Society.—(Applause.) The Chairman remarked that Canon Nevill's suggestions were important enough to justify consideration by a special meeting. . Air S. Boreham supporled the motion, and suggested that an appeal might be made to some of the labour organisations. He was sure that the members were sympathetic, and he would be glad to help. The motion was also carried. Mr F. G. Cuming informed the meeting that any money intended for any charity that came into tho hands of the Public Subscriptions Association was ear-marked for the society intended. The Rest Home was fulfilling its mission very successfully. Notwithstanding tho financial outlook, he believed that they would do well. Mr G. L. Dennison moved a vote of thanks to the chairman. He remarked that, he was amazed at the amount of work Sir George Fenwick dxl in the discharge of the duties of his office, and particularly in raising money for the Rest- Home. The motion was carried with acclamation, and the meeting c'osed.