Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 45

Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society Report [1878-79]

page break

Patients' & Prisoners' Aid Society.

page break

Objects of the Patients' and Prisoners' aid Society.

Extract From The Rules.

2. The object of the Society shall be to employ an Agent to encourage and instruct, by means of religious services and otherwise, the inmates of the Dunedin Hospital, Gaol, and Lunatic Asylum, and to aid persons discharged from these Institutions to make a fresh start in life.

3. An Annual Subscription of Five Shillings or upwards will entitle any person to be a Member.

page break

Report of the Patients' and Prisoners' aid Society.

In presenting the Second Annual Report of the Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society to the public, the General Committee have again to express their hearty thanks for the liberal support received. Owing to the many unusual and urgent claims upon public sympathy during the past year, which the Committee were unwilling to prejudice, the funds of the Society for a time fell into a rather backward condition; but they are glad to state that upon renewing their appeal to their friends, such a hearty response was given as enables them to end the year's proceedings with a small balance on the credit side. Notwithstanding the difficulties experienced, however, it is a pleasing fact that this year the assistance the Society has been able to render to poor persons exceeds that of last year.

The primary object of the Society to provide religious services and missionary visitation to the inmates of the Gaol, Hospital, and Lunatic Asylum, has been steadily kept in view. Accordingly, on each Sabbath throughout the year, Divine service was conducted in the three institutions, and on Thursday evenings in the Hospital; daily visits to the page 4 Hospital, and occasional visits every week to the Gaol and Asylum were also made by the Agent. Speaking of his missionary labours, the Agent says:—"In carrying on this branch of my work, it lias been my constant endeavour, whether in preaching, or in conversation in cells, wards, or at bedsides, to present the Gospel in its simplest and most winning aspects, and at the same time I have freely, but kindly, made use of such arguments as my knowledge of the lives of the persons dealt with furnished me. By also interesting myself in the temporal affairs of those requiring assistance, and giving aid and advice one way or another according to my ability, I am sure I have been instrumental in reviving hope and in gaining access for the Gospel to hearts that might otherwise have remained closed against it. But of the results of my missionary labours I care not to speak, because, while not in the slightest degree calling in question the genuineness of the professions made, I believe it is safest to leave the results with God, and for the day to declare them. At the same time, although the disappointments have been many (and considering the classes embraced by the Mission, that is not to be wondered at), yet I have no hesitation in saying that many of the cases have been of the most hopeful kind, both for time and eternity. When the largeness of my triple charge is considered, and the fact that many persons are in the institutions only for a very short time, the impossibility of conversing at length with all the inmates will be at once apparent. While, however, I am careful to give my attention mainly to the most urgent cases, I endeavour, as far as possible, to reach all, if only to give a word of cheer and counsel. I am thankful to be able to say that the kindliest spirit has invariably been displayed towards me, not only by the inmates, but also by the officers of the institutions."

page 5

As the Society is wholly undenominational, assistance has been rendered to all requiring it, altogether irrespective of religious belief or nationality. The question of religious belief or nationality is never even considered; and in those cases in which the applications for assistance were not complied with (and of such there were several), help was refused on reasonable grounds—either because the applicants were not destitute of means, or because they manifested no disposition to help themselves or to desist from their criminality or intemperance. While most of the persons aided have been lost sight of, through removal to other places, the General Committee have the satisfaction of knowing that several who were helped into their present position are now steadily earning their own livelihood. The Committee have also pleasure in stating that four ex-prisoners and one ex-Asylum patient returned the full amount of the aid they received. (See Balance Sheet.)

The General Committee regret that the steps taken last year with the view of having Local Committees or Agencies formed in the outlying districts have not met with the success that was desired; but they gratefully acknowledge their indebtedness to those friends, clerical and lay, who in their respective districts have rendered valuable aid to the Society. They are, however, glad to learn that a few weeks ago a branch of the Society was successfully established at Port Chalmers, and they hope that the good example of the sympathisers there will soon be followed in other districts. Their special thanks is also due the Saddle Hill Good Templars for their kindly aid rendered in their associated capacity. (See Subscription List.)

The income of the Society for the past year, inclusive of the sums refunded, amounts to .£305 6s. 3d., and the disbursements to £381 3s. 2d., leaving a balance of £14 3s 1d.

page 6

In the course of the year monetary assistance was rendered in 198 instances. The actual recipients, however, number 151. The difference between these figures is explained by the fact that many of the persons aided received assistance more than once. As a rule, men in beginning life again received aid sufficient to enable them to make a start, and these generally left the city; but in certain cases it was deemed prudent to give repeated assistance in small sums at a time, until employment was obtained, or until the persons were otherwise provided for. In other instances, individuals received help more than once through being connected with more than one of the institutions. Thus, one man was assisted when he was discharged from the Lunatic Asylum, and again further on in the year when he left the Hospital. So also with one woman, who was in both the Asylum and the Hospital, and so also with men who were both ex-prisoners and ex-patients. One man discharged from the Asylum was assisted to his friends in the South; another man, an invalid, and utterly incapacitated for Colonial life, was assisted to his friends in Scotland; three persons were helped to join their friends in the North; and in nine other cases, the railway or boat fare was paid. One man, incapacitated for hard labour, and who has in a marked degree proved himself worthy of the help afforded him, was provided with means to enable him to start as a hawker; and three others were supplied with trade implements. Bed and food for a limited period were provided for 23 persons, articles of clothing for 25, boots for 14, and blankets for 7. In a large number of cases money alone was given, but ordinarily a small sum accompanied the gift of clothing, or blankets, or fare, as the case might be. In many other ways efficient aid was rendered, sometimes at an outlay of money, and sometimes without anything being required from the funds of the Society.

page 7

The foregoing facts show that the work of the Society is one of humanity, and that by it benefit is conferred not only upon the three classes specially concerned, but upon the community at large. On these grounds the General Committee would again respectfully urge the claims of the Society upon the inhabitants of the City and Province.

The Committee also desire to tender their sincere thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who, at much self-denial, have laboured on behalf of the Society, and also to the officers of the three institutions for the countenance and support given by them to the Society's Agent.

The Committee wish to record their continued confidence in the unabated Zealand unwearied labours of Mr. Torrance, whose judgment and prudence in disbursing the charity of the Society is beyond all praise.

decorative feature

page 8

Subscription List.

Balance at close of last year £0 11 0
Mr. J. Connell (last year's sub. omitted by mistake from previous Report) 5 0 0
Guthrie and Larnach's workmen 6 0 0
M. Hughes 6 0 0
Mr. Justice Williams 5 0 0
Mr. Carter 5 0 0
T. D. 2 10 0
Mr. Lothian 2 0 0
S. Cuthbert 2 2 0
Rev. Lorenzo Moore 1 0 0
Mrs. Lorenzo Moore 1 0 0
B. Bagley, sen. 1 1 0
B. Bagley, junr. 1 1 0
A. H. Ross 1 1 0
Captain Tiiomson 1 0 0
X.Y.Z.,Papakaio 1 0 0
James Irvine 1 0 0
Judge Bathgate 1 1 0
North and Scoullar's workmen 2 11 3
Bing, Harris and Co. 2 0 0
Lewis and Gourley 1 1 0
Rev. Mr. Stanford 1 1 0
Wm. Couston 2 2 0
F. 1 0 0
James Brown 1 0 0
J. G. Browne 1 1 0
L. O. Beal 1 1 0
Per L. O. Beal (special) 2 11 0
John Reid, London-st. 1 0 0
A. & T. Inglis 2 0 0
James Wilkie 1 10 0
Mrs. Bowler 1 1 0
Rev. Dr. Stuart 1 1 0
Wm. Wright (Divinity student) £1 1 0
John Logan 1 1 0
Mr. Geddes 1 1 0
J. Shaw, Clutha, per Wm. Brown 1 1 0
H. Kirkpatrick 1 0 0
Messrs. Find lay 1 1 0
Haig, Bramwell & Co. 1 1 0
M. R. 1 0 0
William Gilchrist 3 0 0
Dr. Richardson 1 1 0
Edmund Smith 1 1 0
J. B. Heriott, Tapanui 1 0 0
Mr. Wilson 1 0 0
J. M. K. 1 0 0
Mr. Brown 1 0 0
A. and T. Burt 1 0 0
G. H. 1 0 0
Mr. Ronnie 1 0 0
K. P. 1 4 0
Friend 2 0 0
T. B. 3 0 6
Help 2 0 6
Mr. Wallace 0 10 6
Prof. Salmond 0 10 6
Mr. Throp 0 10 6
Mrs. Currie 0 5 0
Alex. Fraser 0 10 0
D.M. 0 10 0
Rev. Mr. Copeland, New Hebrides 0 10 0
Mr. Heenan 0 10 0
Mr. Mereer 0 10 0
Mr. Guthrie, sailmakei 0 10 0
John Yates 0 5 0
Rev. Mr. Davis 0 10 0
Mr. Wright 0 10 0
Anonymous 0 16 0page 9
J. Borrie £0 10 0
Mr. Spears 1 0 0
Friend 1 0 0
Chas. Cooper 1 0 0
Returned by ex-prisoner 2 0 0
Returned by ex-prisoner 0 15 0
Returned by ex-prisoner 0 15 0
Returned by ex-prisoner 0 12 0
Returned by Asylum expatient 1 0 0—5 2 0
Per Miss Lambton—
Cargills, Gibbs & Co. 5 0 0
Mr. Justice Williams 5 0 0
Neill and Co. 3 3 0
Sargood, Son & Ewen 3 3 0
E. Quick 3 3 0
B. H. & Co. 3 3 0
Sievwright and Stout 3 3 0
Captain Fraser 3 0 0
National Mortgage and Agency Company of N.Z. (Limited) 2 2 0
Murray, Roberts & Co. 2 2 0
P. Hayman & Co. 2 2 0
R. Wilson 1 10 6
L. O. Beal 1 1 0
G. W. Eliott 1 1 0
Per Mrs. Robert Brown
Coulls and Culling 1 0 0
Mr. Robert Brown 1 0 0
Mr. Chas Moore 1 0 0
Miss Clough. 1 0 0
Rev. Dr. Stuart 1 0 0
Rev. Lindsay Mackie 1 0 0
J. M. Farlane 1 0 0
James Cramond 1 0 0
G. J. Browne 1 0 0
G. P. Farquhar 1 1 0
Mr. Esther 1 0 0
Rev. A. R. Fitchett 0 10 0
R. K. Murray 0 10 0
Prof. Salmond £0 10 0
Rev., T. Ward 0 10 0
Rev. T. Roseby 0 10 0
Thos. Bennett 0 10 0
Rev. Jas. Copland 0 10 0
G. Searle 0 7 6
Rev. Mr. Byng 0 5 0
James Pryor 0 5 0
Per R. Grillies—
R. Gillies 5 0 0
Saddle Hill Watch Tower Lodge, I.O.G.T. 5 0 0
A. Rolland 5 5 0
J. H. Rolland 2 2 0
Rev. Mr. Byng 1 1 0
Geo. Cook 1 1 0
John Logan 1 1 0
James Mills 1 1 0
Mr. Gowdie 1 0 0
James Christie, Airlie Bank 2 0 0
Edward Menlove 1 0 0
Allan Holmes 1 0 0
Miss Hall 0 10 0
Per S. J. Jackman—
Gunn and Ross 1 0 0
B. 1 0 0
Robert Dick 1 0 0
J. S. J. 1 4 0
H. Wise & Co. 0 10 6
E. Faulds 0 10 0
J.B. 0 10 0
Mr. Hislop 0 10 0
A.B. 0 10 0
C.D. 0 10 0
T. Dick 1 0 0
G. & T. Young 1 0 0
C. & S. 0 10 6
F. & M. 0 10 6
J. E. Robinson 0 5 0
James Muir 0 5 0
F. Pyeroft 0 5 0page 10
Per W. Downie Stewart—
Stewart and Denniston £3 0 0
South British Insurance Company 2 2 0
Caledonian Society 2 2 0
Brown, Ewing & Co. 2 2 0
Macassey, Kettle, and Bridges 2 2 0
Haggitt Bros. & Brent 2 2 0
A. W. Morris 2 0 0
Duncan & M'Gregor 1 1 0
E. Saunders & Co. 1 1 0
J. P. Maitland 1 1 0
Hugh M'Neil 1 1 0
Kirkpatrick & Co. 1 1 0
Thos. Moodie 1 1 0
A. Hill Jack 1 1 0
Friend 1 1 0
W. Barron 1 1 0
Matthew Holmes 1 0 0
P. M Caughan 1 0 0
A. E, L. 0 10 0
Per K. Ramsay & Professor Macgregor—
Mr. J. Connell 5 0 0
M'Kerras & Co. 2 2 0
E. B. Cargill 2 2 0
Kempthorne & Prosser 2 2 0
Haggitt Bros. & Co. 2 2 0
E. Campbell, junr. 2 2 0
G. G. Russell 5 0 0
Black and Son 1 1 0
Matheson Bros. 1 1 0
Renshaw and Denniston 1 1 0
S. Clayton 1 1 0
Anderson and Co. 1 1 0
Reid and Grey 1 1 0
Walter Guthrie 1 1 0
Union Steam Shipping Company 1 1 0
H. S. Fish, junr. 1 1 0
Edmond. Forsyth & Co. 1 1 0
J. Rattray & Co. 1 1 0
Geo. Turnbull & Co. 1 1 0
A. C. Begg 1 1 0
J. L. Butterworth £1 1 0
Bine, Harris & Co. 1 1 0
H. Guthrie 1 1 0
Wm. Hepburn 1 1 0
Keith Ramsay 1 1 0
W. C. Smith 1 0 0
J. Marshall 1 0 0
W. & J. Scoullar 1 0 0
C. Moore 1 0 0
Prof. Macgregor 1 0 0
Per Dr. Proton & Mr. H. F. Hardy—
Dr. Ferguson 1 1 0
Mrs. Nichol 3 0 0
G. Proudfoot, Graham-street 0 10 0
Friend 0 5 0
Mr. Cramond 0 2 6
Mr. M'Gregor 0 5 0
Mr. Barnes 0 5 0
Mr. Pledger 0 5 0
Walter Miller 1 1 0
Mr. Taiaroa, M.H.R. 0 10 6
J. Wilson 0 10 0
Millington Bros. 0 5 0
Mr. Marshall 0 5 0
A Friend 0 5 0
Mr. Currie, N.Z. Shipping Company 1 3 6
Peter Forester 0 5 0
Mr. Walters 1 1 0
George Wilson 0 10 0
Mr. Yesey 0 10 0
R. Hay 0 10 0
Mr. Butterworth 0 10 0
J. C. Hoyt 1 1 0
H. F. Hardy 3 3 0
Dr. Brown 2 2 0
Per R. Glendining—
R. Glendining 5 0 0
Ross & Glendining 5 0 0
Per Dr. Borrows—
Dr. Borrows 1 1 0page 11
Heymanson, Low, & Co. 1 1 0
Hogg & Hutton 1 0 0
W.G. Geddes 0 10 6
Robert Blackadder 0 10 6
Gregg & Co. 0 10 6
Fred. Tofield 0 10 0
Wm. Sinclair 0 10 0
H. & B. Brownlie 0 10 0
Woodifield & Jolly 0 5 0
D. M. Spedding 0 5 0
Andrew Melville 0 5 0
Papakaio, per Rev. John Steven 6 9 6
Waikouaiti, per Rev. J. Christie and Mr. Malloch—
Rev. J. Christie 0 10 0
Presbyterian Church 5 0 0
East Taieri, per Rev. W. Will 20 19 0
North Taieri, per Rev. Mr Sutherland 4 11 0
West Taieri, per J. C. Hodges and A. Chisholm—
Peter Grant, Gowrie 1 0 0
David Grant, Granton 1 0 0
Donald Borrie 1 0 0
James Shand 1 0 0
Francis M'Diarmid 0 10 6
Alex. Chisholm 0 10 0
J. C. Hodges 0 10 0
James Fulton 0 10 0
Mrs. Fulton 0 10 0
John Bathgate 0 10 0
Mr. Carmichael 0 10 0
Gilbert Buchanan 0 10 0
Geo. Gordon 0 10 0
John Thomson 0 10 0
James M Laughlan 0 10 0
John T. Douglas 0 10 0
James Dow, Dowfield 0 8 0
M'Leod Bros. £0 8 0
John Fleming 0 6 0
T. Brown 0 5 0
Thos. Kirkpatrick 0 5 0
J. Christie 0 5 0
James Bannerman 0 5 0
Wm. Petrie 0 5 0
Wm. Grant 0 5 0
J. Spalding 0 5 0
J. C. Millar 0 5 0
Wm. Patterson 0 5 0
Mrs. Moodie 0 5 0
Wm. Grant 0 5 0
James Robertson 0 5 0
Thomas Brock 0 5 0
John Young 0 59 0
Alex. Dow 0 5 0
Geo. Mitchell 0 5 0
Matthew Smith 0 5 0
Wm. Reid 0 5 0
Wm. M'Diarmid 0 5 0
John Aitken 0 5 0
Wm. Thomson 0 5 0
Peter Grant 0 5 0
Arnold Kempshell 0 5 0
R. Gardiner 0 5 0
J. W. Joseph 0 5 0
Thomas Gordon 0 5 0
Allan Mann 0 5 0
John M'Leod 0 5 0
James Smith 0 3 6
James Gilbert 0 3 6
O. B. Roberts 0 2 6
John Spain 0 2 6
David Steven 0 2 6
John Wyer 0 2 6
Wm. Nichol 0 2 6
Mrs. Geo. Thomson 0 2 6
Chas. Grant 0 2 6
Frederick Twenlow 0 2 6
M. Walker 0 1 0
Green Island, per Rev. J. Innes—
James Howorth 1 0 0
Mr. Martin 1 0 0
Mr. Kirkland 1 0 0page 12
James Kirkland £1 0 0
Mr. Jones 1 0 0
Mr. Blair 0 10 0
Friend 0 10 0
Mr. Thomson 0 10 0
Mr. Cassidy 0 10 0
Mr. Walker 0 10 0
Mrs. Shand 0 5 0
Mr. Hamilton 0 5 0
Mr. M'Arghan 0 5 0
Mr. Crawford 0 5 0
Mr. Thomson 0 5 0
Mr. James Alexander 0 5 0
Mr. D. Alexander 0 5 0
Merton, per Rev. A. M. Finlay-son and Messrs. R. Russell and D. Brunton, jun.—
D. Brunton 0 5 0
S. Letham 0 2 6
W. Duthie 0 2 6
J. Mullany 0 2 6
R. Shand 0 3 0
G. Blair 0 2 6
George M'Lean 0 10 0
J. Dobbing 0 2 6
T. Flavin 0 2 6
East Lynn 0 2 6
Duncan Smith 0 2 0
James Farrell 0 2 0
A Friend 0 2 6
Chas. Russell 0 2 6
James Guild 0 2 6
Thomas White 0 3 0
Wm. White 0 2 0
M. Bourke £0 2 6
Eobert Edmond 0 2 6
James Kenyon 0 3 0
Robert Allan 0 2 0
A. M'Lean 0 2 6
Alex. Donald 0 1 0
James Donald 0 2 6
David Kilgour 0 2 6
John Kilgour 0 1 6
James Shivas 0 1 0
D. Stewart, Blueskin 0 5 0
Rev. A. M. Finlayson 0 2 6
Palmerston & Shag Valley, per R. Johnston, J. Douglas, & H. S. Clark—
J. Douglas, Mount Royal, (too late for last year's Report) 3 2 0
J. Douglas, (this year's sub.) 2 0
H. S. Clark, Shag Valley 1 10 0
George M'Leod 1 0 0
Collected by Mrs. Bremner 4 7 6
Collected by Mrs. Chapman 2 1 6
Miss Spark 0 7 0
Miss Cathcart 0 5 0
Mrs. Urquhart 0 3 6
David Kerr, Shag Valley 0 5 0
David Kennedy, Shag Valley 0 5 0
page break
Receipts. Balance at close of last year Amount of Contributions Returned by ex-prisoners and ex-Asylum patient £ s. d. DISBURSEMENTS. 0 11 0 £ s. d. 389 13 3 Clothing ... ... ... 18 18 9 5 2 0 Bankets ... ... ... 3 19 6 £395 6 3 Boots ... ... ... 8 8 0 Bed and Food ... ... 12 19 6 Trade Implements, &c. ... 9 15 3 Railway, boat, and coach fares ... 18 13 5 Miscellaneous ... ... ... 3 13 8 Money ... ... ... 30 1 1 Working expenses, including Agent's salary ... ... ... 274 14 0 Balance to credit ... ... ... 14 3 1 £395 6 3 £395 6 3

Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for Year ending June 30, 1879.

Audited,

H. F. Hardy

.