The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-18 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL FEMALE PENETENTIARY.

The annual meeting of this society was held yemterday
at the I3Lble Depository, Slater street, Mr. J. Cropper
presided. There was but a small attendance of the
subscribers present.

The business commenced by the Secretary, Mr. Lindley,
readiag the following

REPORT.

Your committee prepared their report for th, year
1855 with the gratifying announcement that on no previous
occasion had the eircnms'ances of the institution been so
favourable. Your committee now rejoice to add that there
has been no falling Off during the year that has just closed.
By reference to thp treasurer's account it will be seen that.
the tunds of the institutida are in a very satisfactory state.
The sum realised during the past year by the wait done by
the inmates, is very considerable, owing to the unusually
large increase in their numbers ; the institution is thus
enabled to continue contributing largely towards its own
support, thereby carrying out its principle,—that repentance
should be self-supporting. As regaf is the discipline of
the house, your committee are glad to say that it is
still characterised by its firm, yet gentle, sway over the
inmates; its object being to induce in them habits of self-
discipline and order, so that, on leading the institution, they
may be fitted to undertake such situations as in the pro-
vidence of God they may be called to. The only change in the
household a rangement during the past year, has been in
the probationary ward, the present matron of that depart-
ment being Mrs. Appleton. Yonr committee desire to
record their sense of the effective services of the ladies'
committee, to whose, dntiring exertions in the admission
and superintendenCe of the inmates, the institution stands
so much indebted, Thanks are also especially due to Mrs.
0. Waterhouse, the lady patroness, and to Mrs. D. Smith,
the cash secretary. Your committee further 'desire to testify
their approbation of the manner in which Miss Parnell
and the other matrons still continue to discharge their
deities. But while the committee are grateful to
Almighty Gni for his blessing on the exertions made to
render this institution a home to the women who have been
sinners, wherein the opportunity may be given them of
returning into the *ay of righteousness and -of afterwards
becom'ng members of society, it must still be confessed that,
though much may have been done, yet much, alas, remains to
be done ; and, therefore, it is hoped that none will slacken
in their diode, but continue 'stedfasf, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord ; for as much as
they know that their labour is not in vain in the Lord.' Re-
maining in the house, December 31, 1855, 49; application for
admission, 106 ; refused as unsuitable, 13 ; recommended to
other institutions, 12; taken into the probationary ward, 81 ;
total in the house during the year, 130. Restored to friends or
placed in service, 9 ; lett before the time, or for disobedience
to rules, 43 ; not returned from hospital, 12 ; total, 64. Re_
maining in the house Dec. 31, 1856, 66. Average weekly
number in the house during last year, 54.
From the statement of the Treasurer's accounts, it
apprared that there was a balance in hands of £245
Bs. 913. •
The Chairman said he was quite sure the report they
had heard read was most gratifying to all, being one of the
most gratifying be ever remembered. The average number
of inmates in the institution had been 52, and the cost of
each had been £23, while their earning had been about
so that in each case there was £l3 to be provided.
Hiving passed a deserved compliment on the ladies com-
mittee for the services they had rendered, he concluded by
expressing a hope that the institut.on would become still
more prosperous and useful.
It was moved by Mr. Lawrence, and seconded by Mr.
Gee, that the report be printed and circulated.
Tile usual vote of thanks to the clergy and the retiring
committee, having been unanimously ad _gated, the meeting
separated.