BLIND INSTITUTE BEQUESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 264, 7 November 1932, Page 2

BLIND INSTITUTE BEQUESTS.

NO IMMEDIATE BENEFIT. FINANCES PRECARIOUS. * With the finances of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind in a precarious position, due to the withdrawal of the • Government subsidy, reduced interest from the capital account, an alarming ? decrease in subscriptions, and the reduced prices of goods made in the workshops, the chairman of the trustees Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, to-day said it • appeared that subscriptions had been' '' affected by the published reports of their receiving many generous bequests. "Many people have been under theimpression that we.have actually received the funds," he Raid. "The true position is, that from 1905 to date our generous benefactors have left the- institute ovej £47,000, but there are in all cases life interests before the institute will receive any benefit, either by capital ■ or interest, for from five to over 50years." They sincerely wished every life beneficiary who came before the institute would have a long and happy life. They were content to wait, acknowlodging with grateful thanks the- generosity of the departed benefactor, but in the meantime they were very much in need of the generous support of the annual subscriber and from as many others who could spare a little. Referring to the recent bequest of £3500 to the institute by the late Mr. Craven H. Smith, Mr. Hutchinson said in that case certain life interests had to be satisfied before the institute could ' benefit. Since present difficulties had tobe overcome,'the institute was holding a fair early in December. "At this fair," said the chairman, "there will be many articles on sale suitable for Christmas presents. The Boys' Band and the Girls' Orchestra will play, and there will be numerous side-shows." Mr. Hutchinson eaid that there was one thing to which he would like to draw public attention, and that was the absolute necessity of a home for the aged blind. "Although times are hard," he said, "we are determined to proceed without further delay with the erection of such a home. There are a number.of them living in most unsuitable conditions, and they need a home." ;