The Guiding Hand

NZ Truth, Issue 1196, 1 November 1928, Page 6

The Guiding Hand

Hi THINK, perhaps, your worship, if ■ 1 you would give this girl another

chance . . ." The voice is that of a woman as she steps forward m the Police Court --to ask for leniency on behalf of a young woman who stands m the dock hiding her face from the gaze of the public m the gallery.

The woman who makes the plea is a iittle over medium height, her straight figure clad m dark blue. Her head is crowned by a dark blue straw hat bearing a red and blue ribbon. She is Field Major Gordon, of the Salvation Army— a woman who has looked on the seamy side of life m the cits'- of Auckland, yet retains an unshattered faith m the youth of the present generation.

For many .■ years, m the capacity of probation officer, Major Gordon has been privileged to go into strange places where the many would not venture, and her experiences have taught her much about her fellow creatures.

When the female .prisoner, leaves the dock escorted by the probation officer public interest m. her case . ceaaeis, but it is then that Major Gordon's interest m the woman reaches its greatest height, for although only one' of "many, the one who has been placed m her care is her special charge. It is then that the understanding of one with the knowledge of how best to deal with the particular case is most required.