The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1908-12-09 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ILA. (chairman), the Bev. G. D.' Oakley, M.A., Vicar of- Birkenhead, the 'Rev. .Andrew Knox Mr. T. 'E. Siempeoh, .(Ceroner. ter Livened), Miss Agnes Wilson (hon. visitor to Walton Prison), and Mr. G. J. Scott (assistmit diocesan secretary).After a few opening remarks by the Chairman, I Mr. SaMpeen- -related liis experiences. As I he himself said, he had just come "red-hot' from the police court." Birkenhead jollied with Livereied in one respect, and that was in the use of the Walton Gaol, and in at matter both the town e combined together,. The chief .canee. of the numerous suicides, and of the evils of the present day, wee' largely the excessive drinking that went' on. lie spoke from experience. On Monday they- often had in Liverpool 150 cases of young people, mere boys apd girls, taken up for intemperance. The question arose: What was to be done? It did not do to convict these young people. It was well known that it was most harmful to send theta to Walton. It was here that the splendid work of the Police Court and Prison Gate minsioners came in. They were invaluable in helping the magistrates to diecharge their diffietilt duty, and they did more. They gave these poor creatures counsel and sympatlie, whieh. at such a eritioal time, was so much needed, and they ,helped many to make a fresh start. Busy as the missioners are while the court is being held—the_ greeter part of their work is done before or after court hours. Most of their time is occupied in visiting in their 'homes or lodgMast the "cases" which theY have met in court. If it were not for them miseionere those who sat on the Bench .uld have a more difficult task than they had at present. The Idamion-room in Hornbrroad, near. Walton. was also doing untold good. .Every week-day a free breakfast weegiven 'to all prisoners when they , left the 'House-of Correction" at 7.30 in the preening, and many of these people were helped and found work. When it was considered that lest year MS men and women Mimed the pledge at this refuge, it became self-evident that much good was being done. Mt. Sampson, after speaking in high terms of the police force, said he wished very much that there was time to apeak of the want of deoent lodging-houses both in Liverpool and Birkenhead. He hoped that in the yore near future something would be done. Mise Agnes Wilson then Ramon intereet. ing account of the Temperance Home, Upper Parliaxnentestreek Liverpool. The Home was a veal help to many a working woman 'who had come to grief through intemperance. Many came from Birkenhead, and, separated from temptations, many had been helped. The inlizenoe of a happy and comfortable home, regular employment, and good food foon told their own tale., But physical improvement was not the first aim. kindly influence wee necessary to arouse the careless and dormant mind to a realisation of higher and better things. Wonderful patience, tact, and sympathy were needed by those who worked-among these women. and " fonbearsece" was perhaps the keynote to all' this -work. - The Bev: G. D, Oakley'. MA.. said it was very much to be wished that there was a branch of the Church of, England Temper; anee Society working in "the pollee oonrt in Birkenhes& In St. Mary% panel of 3.000 mule they had no less- than 37 licensed public-homes. He had inat come from St. Mary's School, where he had bee% distributing -prises to the children for' their essays on !Intemperance." lie felt tingikTel that so tench oeeventive work seem ROisit en &mimic the children of -the town. Heartv thanks were, accorded to Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Lesieli for their kindnMe in lendOW their. drawing-room- for the meeting. Tle ceneetion. realised  rofi tißsrg