H.—2o.

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raise the standard of thought and to enlarge the outlook. The personal element is an important factor in the work of reformation, and to really assist the individual one must understand his difficulties and point of view, and the first step in this direction is to become personally acquainted with and to gain the confidence of each inmate ; hence the value of personal work among them. The method adopted is to encourage the inmate to'discuss matters concerning his future welfare and prospects; to receive, sympathetically, any and every voluntary disclosure of his more intimate personal desires and aspirations; and to assist him. to recover the self-respect which constitutes true manhood, by the discovery of himself. Experience teaches that the most effective method is to appeal to their finer and nobler instincts. Personal interests and a sense of duty, though ethically on a lower plane, are useful factors. Their confidences are never forced : the work is more of the nature of moral suasion than dictating—to convince by reason as well as through conscience. Though the results of the many interviews and talks —numbered by the hundred in the course of a year —with the inmates cannot always be gauged or tabulated, the cumulative effects will be apparent in later years. The material aid branch of the society's work with inmates, stated briefly, is that the society stands ready to help as occasion may require, and to furnish inmates on release with clothing, outfits, travelling-expenses, &c., and by personal effort in finding suitable employment. None leave the institution to find themselves adrift and at a loss where to look for work, or to find ways and means of reaching their destinations. Not every inmate, however, requires assistance on his release : in most cases the inmate has his earnings, and returns to his home or employment in other parts of the Dominion. Where it is desirable that one should remain in this district employment is found for him, and, if necessary, he is provided with the requisite outfit. The society anticipates their requirements, and has the necessary personal effects and employment awaiting their release. Frequently the inmate in unaware of the assistance given him until the hour of his release. This little act of consideration makes all the difference between retaining his self-respect and becoming an object of charity. The recipient may make refund, but that is not made a condition. If he is without relatives or friends, or if his home is perhaps a thousand miles away, he has in the agent of the society a friend to whom he can appeal, and with whom he may at all times correspond, and whose time and personal effort is at his service as guide and councillor. While carefully observing the rules governing religious instruction in the institution, no distinction of creed, nationality, or conduct is observed in giving assistance to stranded ones, either materially or by personal effort: the more unworthy, the greater need for a helping hand. In this work failure must never be permitted to weaken endeavour nor to chill enthusiasm ; yet enthusiasm without judgment may be disastrous. In any case, failure is not defeat. The financial side of the society is maintained by voluntary contributions from private subscribers and the business portion of the town and district. Prom time to time the agent of the society holds public and drawing-room meetings in town and in country centres and more remote places throughout the province. At these meetings the work of the society and its claims is placed before representative men and women, and by these means supporters and subscribers are secured. On these occasions the interest of prospective employers is gained, and a sympathetic atmosphere is created in the institution, its work and inmates. I desire to gratefully acknowledge the sympathy and ready helpfulness the society has always received from the authorities and staff of the institution throughout the years. A. McLean, Agent and Missionary. Auckland City. The work of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society is not so well known, nor so well supported, as it deserves. Too much publicity is not desirable. We cannot give full particulars of the " cases," successful or otherwise, with which we have to deal. The only persons who really know what is being done are the prison officers and the members of the committee. The honorary secretary visits the prison four times a week to interview dischargees. Much time and thought are given to these men, and all the money and material assistance available utilized for their benefit. There is no hard-and-fast rule. Whatever the need, an attempt is made to supply that need. Something is done, too, to assist the unfortunate wives and families of men serving three months and under, but our limited income is too small for much to be done in this direction. For the year ending 31st December, 1923, the number of men and women discharged from the Auckland Prison was about 1,200. On this date there were 350 men and 13 women in the prison, and this has been about the daily average for the year. Of the- " habitual criminals," more than half of the Dominion's total are in the local prison. Ours "is a strictly penal prison where all our worst offenders are confined." Most of the younger men are transferred to the Invercargill Borstal Institution, others are sent to the Waikeria Reformatory Farm or to one of the camps. Old men, or those prematurely old and unfit, are now sent to Wanganui. Whilst homes for the aged poor cannot or will not receive them, to send them to Wanganui —now more a refuge or old men's home than a prison—is the kindest course to take. A suggestion is made to wealthy persons, when making a will, to remember this Society, which cares for the outcast, the criminal, the unfortunate. We fear the need for this work will always remain. The committee is composed of responsible citizens. There are no office expenses, no agent is paid ; all contributions go directly to carry out the purposes of the society. We wish to thank the Controller-General and the officers of the prison for their kind co-operation. A. W. Auckland, President. E. C, Budd, Hon. Secretary.