H.—208

Notes on some of the Cases. —The following examples will give some idea of the varied types that have been recently dealt with : — A lad of twenty, the only son of a widow, was convicted of theft and as a result lost his employment : placed on probation. Put under the care of two committeemen, who interviewed the management of a factory and secured employment for him. Later he was linked with religious and social agencies ; now quite contented and making good progress in his employment, the happiest relationship existing with employers and co-workers. A discharged prisoner with twenty-two convictions for drunkenness spread over the past eighteen years, now on probation, wks persuaded to take out a prohibition order. Work was secured for him in the country and arrangements made to bank his cheque when due. A lad on probation from Borstal institution : Family history bad—parental strife and subsequent divorce. Took advantage of tuition in Borstal to learn wool-classing, obtaining all but his final certificate. A committeeman was advised of his case ; his fees for the final certificate were paid ; he was entered in the wool-classing section of the local agricultural show, and introduced to a wool-merchant, with whom there is reasonable prospect of employment in the near future. He joined the literary class of the W.E.A., and is now linked up with religious and social agencies. A probationer released from the Borstal institution was placed in touch with several committeemen. In every instance he was kindly received. Work in congenial surroundings was found for him, and he is in constant touch with these gentlemen, visiting them in their own homes on occasions. In this case encouraging reports from both employer and committeemen have been received. A probationer with wife and child has had much difficulty in obtaining employment and making payment in restitution. Through the kindly exertions of a member of committee he has been kept going in various casual jobs and has improved his position so much that he has recommenced paying his restitution-moneys. This has put a good deal of heart into the probationer and he now promises well. A youth of seventeen came from the country to the city to seek work, stole clothing from lodgings : placed 011 probation. Committeemen secured congenial work for the lad ; found board in good home, linked up with Church of his choice, opened savings-bank account: progress excellent. A probationer who arrived on transfer from a southern city, quite down and out and very despondent, was referred to a member of committee, who was able to obtain temporary employment for him at his trade, to be followed later 011 by a permanent situation. During the interval he was content to work a few hours daily for the social-welfare organization for bed and meals. Now he is a much happier man, with a good position and prospects, and with every probability of becoming a decent citizen. There are many instances in which saving has been encouraged, especially amongst the younger probationers, a number of whom now have savings-bank accounts for the first time in their lives. One Probation Officer, by keeping their savings-bank books for them, manages to encourage deposits and discourage withdrawals. This officer quotes a case of a lad who, working on a, farm, saved in four months sufficient to pay his passage to South Africa, where his people resided. Discharged Prisoners placed on Probation. —The difficulties of re-establishing the discharged prisoner can only be appreciated by those who are voluntarily making such heroic efforts to secure ail opportunity for these men to live as they should. Nothing is more discouraging to the ex-prisoner than the experience of tramping the city day after day in search of employment, of having his hopes raised by a promise of consideration, and of meeting final disappointment when the prospective employer discovers that he has served a term of imprisonment. The best Probation Officer, with the united efforts of his Voluntary Probation Committee, cannot re-establish these men without the co-operation of those who can give employment. A man who has spent thirty years as a prisoner has recently made this statement: " Whatever measure of reformation I won was due to my two friends " (here he names two men who acted in the capacity of our committeemen). " They took a chance with me —a long chance —and it will be long time before they regret it. I have learned to work, and some day may learn to like it. Yet it is so easy, and simple, and safe, and secure that I now wonder how any man coming out of prison could think of doing anything else. The pity of it is that so many ex-prisoners who do think of trying to work cannot get it." An invitation to address the national convention of the Y.M.C.A. recently held in Christchurch, on the possibilities of co-operation, resulted in the following resolution being forwarded to this Department: " The convention expresses its readiness to co-operate with the officers of the Department in any work which such officers may feel the Association fitted to undertake." Gerald M. Silver, Field Organizer.

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