DISCHARGED PRISONERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1836, 23 August 1913, Page 2

DISCHARGED PRISONERS.

SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING, . Ameeting of tho Discharged Prisoners' hoM'oh Thursday, Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., presiding. Thero were present:, Messrs. T. S. Lambert, J.P., E. Arnold, J.P. (Visiting Justice), Brigadier Bray, and B. Cuinings (secretary). ! The annual report embodied, a Mbute to our late Governor, Lord Islington, who at all times took a very keen interest in tho' work of tho society. Tho Executive Committee had met in Dr. M'Arthur's room at tho Magistrate's Court every Tuesday for 46 weeks, and had reviewed about 600 cases of prisoners to bo released. Many letters wero received from prisoners in gaol in other parts of the Dominion, asking help and work, tho Prison Board having granted release on condition that snitablo work is found first. Mr. Arnold's energ'etio work in visiting, the prisoners in gaol, as Visiting .Tustico, was the subject of special mention. Several wives of prisoners had applied for help to find their, husbands; If tho husbands wero in gaol, the wives had been" assisted for ■ tho time being. Much wearing apparel was sent to tho gaol for femalo prisoners. At Christmas tho women prisoners in gaol were enter-' tained with music and refreshments, permission being granted by tho Minister for Justice. A number of wives of prisoners in very straitened circumstances wero provided with groceries, coal, alid meat. Tho committee desires to thank all those whohave so kindly' contributed to the society's funds. During tho year the society gavo assistaneo in 333 cases. Beds and meals (to the, number of 331 and 2d5 respectively) wero supplied to 103 men. Fourteen men wero handed fares for various places where work had been found for them. Assistance in cash was granted to 28, and assistance was given to 31 women in gaol. ..Employment was found for 38/ Tho incomo of the society was .£BS 10s. Id., and tho expenditure «£GG lis., leaving a balanco of '.£lB 19s. Id.