BLIND INSTITUTE

Northern Advocate, 8 April 1931, Page 6

BLIND INSTITUTE

ANNUAL REPORT. , TRADE RETURNS FALL. i - r (Special to “Northern Advocate. ’’) ? AUCKLAND, This Day. ■ r In his review of the past year’s I■ working of the Jubilee Institute for t the Blind, at the annual’ meeting of trustees yesterday, the chairman, Mr A. J. Hutchinson, said: , “I regret that ■our trade returns , have suffered a. very considerable de- . dine. Had we not extended the variety of goods manufactured and our . voluntary sales, this would have been , a. most serious matter. Subscriptions . show a decline. Several valuable , legacies left to us during- the past year t will 'not be available for a number of years, owing to other beneficiaries coming before us. , “Notwithstanding these facts, we , decided to proceed with the extension . j of our workshops, for two major reasons. First, we badly needed the extra . room for both stock and accommodation for the workers, while we also required extra rooms for the purpose of opening an adult school to train the blind in basket, scagrass and other furniture work. We also felt that it was the most economical time to build and that it would give employment to men badly in need of work. The building was completed in February and is now fully occupied. The adult school has started and is proving most satisfactory. We have also started an adult Braille reading and typewriting class. “At the last annual meeting I referred to the plan of erecting a home for the aged blind,” continued Mr. Hutchinson. “This has not been overlooked. Much valuable and necessary information has been gathered, and as soon as possible we shall carry out this ! plan.” In conclusion, the chairman paid a tribute to Hie work of the director. Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, and the staff at the institute, also referring to the services of Mr. F. Wake, a trustee, who had been compelled to retire from the board ou account of ill-health. “I think the institute has reason to be gratified at 1 ho work which has been done at the school, ns well as in other parts of the institution,” said Sir George Fowlds, who moved a vote of thanks to the director and the staff'. “Dining the past few years our staff has been greatly improved and the work wd are turning; out from our workshops is of a very high order.” Mr. Hutchinson was re-elected chairman of trustees, while Messrs. Alfred • Nathan and IT, G. McCoy were elected unopposed to fill two vacancies on the ( heard. 1