JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8948, 4 August 1892, Page 6

JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND.

A VISIT TO THE PREMISES. By arrangement with Mr. J. Thornes, the hon. secretary of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, a Herald reporter paid a visit to the Institute yesterday morning, and was courteously shown through the premises by Mr. Thornes, who evidently takes a deep interest in the Institution and its inmates, and who manifests a laudable pride in the progress which has been made so far. The Institute occupies one of the best sites in Parnell, being bounded by Manukau Road, Park Road East, and the Domain. The grounds, covering an area of rather more than three acres, are being brought into perfect order, the land being ploughed up, docks removed, and men were engaged rolling it yesterday. In a few years the site will be remarkable for beauty and shelter,'for rows of macrocarpa are planted along all the boundaries and fences, and when these grow up they will give a charming appearance to the whole surroundings. The courtyards and playgrounds are covered with line scoria, and the lawns are all to be sown in grass. An excellent entrance to the grounds has been secured from Park Road East, and a fine metalled road laid.

The school, which was first visited, is one of the new buildings facing Miinukau Road, but divided from it by a large courtyard. It is a fine room 32 by 60 feet, with lofty roof and excellent ventilation, and supplied with a library of moons and other suitable works. Each child has a separate desk, with drawers for books and materials, and they are placed in the form of a quadrangle, tho teacher occupying the centre, so as to bo able to move conveniently from pupil to pupil, and so watch tho progress of their work. It is intended to fit up gymnasium appliances in the schoolroom as well as outside. At the rear of the schoolroom is the boys' dormitory, a fine building 32 by 55 feet, with a verandah extending along the north sido and tho end, and beyond this again is the lavatory and baths. The dormitory is subdivided into four rooms, each containing four beds. They are pictures of comfort and neatnoas, and each occupant is provided with a separate locker or cupboard in which to keep his clothes and other articles, and the whole surroundings are airy and bright. A visit to the workshops, which are situated at the opposite side of the yard, and in tho rear of tho main building, was of great interest. Several of the inmates were at work, somo making halters, others weaving mats, and one little fellow was busy making butchers' skewers, for which, we understand, a ready sale is obtained. The appliances for making, which is to be another industry, are not yet completed, but are in a forward state, and a lathe is erected. The washhouso and laundry are in an adjoining building. They aro suitably fitted up with box tubs and sinks, each supplied with separate taps, the city water supply being laid on. There is also a washing machine, a boiler, and other requisites. The main building was next visited, under the guidance of Mrs. Tighe, the matron. This is a fine two-storey building. Entering from the back, one first comes to the kitchen, a fine roomy compartment, containing a large range, gas stove, hot water boiler, coai bunkers, &c., and off it is another room, a scullery, &c., fitted with suitable cupboards and dressers. On the lower floor also are Mr. and Mrs. Tighe's living-room, the dining-room, receptionroom, music-room, museum, lavatory, and bath-rooms. There are two staircases, and on the upper floor are the sleeping apartments and tho girl's dormitories. Some of these contain tour beds, some three, and some two. There is no crowding, and as in the other parts of the building everything is scrupulously clean. Each room is supplied with a chest of drawers for the children's clothing, and the arrangements of bath-rooms, &c., are admirable. One could not help being struck with the cheerful aspect of the inmates. Before school opened the children ran about the yard enjoying themselves, and when any of them was sent on an errand to fetch a key or anything else lie trotted off with tho greatest confidence and alertness. . After the school assembled tho children were seen at their work, under the charge of Miss Collier, who evidently took a great deal of interest in her pupils. Some,;- were reading from raised letters, others writing by prodding the cardboards placed in their frames, and one little girl was writing a letter 111 fair round hand, the lines being guided by a grooved plate placed beneath the paper. Two of the boys gave a reading lesson with remarkable distinctness ana precision, following the raised characters with their lingers with remarkable facility, and one could not help feeling what a blessing it was to these afflicted children that they were thus made able to learn the thoughts of others and follow the instruction imparted to them. There are at present 22 inmates, including the servant and two more are expected to arrive next week. There is also one day pupil. The staff of the Institute, apart from the honorary officers, consists of Mr. Tighe, resident principal; Mrs. Tighe, matron ; Miss J. A. Collier, teacher ; Miss Maggie Reid, pupil teacher, and Mr. John Robinson, travelling teacher. The expenditure on the buildings and grounds has been judicious, but not parsimonious. Nothing has been wasted, but all requirements have been suitably provided. The expenditure on the freehold and buildings, including the preparation of the grounds, fencing, tree planting, etc., has been about £3000, and the furnishing has cost about £500. The pupils are educated, clothed, fed, and lodged at £25 per annum, and any person visiting the Institute cannot fail to be satisfied and gratified with the whole surroundings, and proud that such an institution exists in our midst. 1