THE RECORD REIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10424, 23 April 1897, Page 6

THE RECORD REIGN.

THE COMMEMORATION.

FURTHER OPINIONS. Discussion is still considerable as to the most fitting method of commemorating Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee in Auckland. Annexed we give further opinions u to the form the memorial should take. HELP FOR THE BLIND. During the last few days the views of various representative citizens have been published in these columns, with a tiew of placing all sides of the question of a permanent memorial of the Queen's record reign before the public; and in pursuance of this idea, a Hkbald representative waited upon Mr. John Abbott yesterday to ascertain how, in his opinion, the Diamond Jubilee could best be commemorated. In view of Mr. Abbott's praiseworthy, untiring, and successful efforts for the establishment and maintenance of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, it is not surprising to find that, in his opinion, "the Blind" should have the first claim upon the liberality of Auckland's citizens, and certainly this unfortunate class could not have a more enthusiastic advocate than Mr. John Abbott. In answer to the reporter's first question he said: " Having carefully reviewed the whole of the schemes put forward by various citizens for the support of the public, I am of opinion that the erection in brick of a permanent building for the Blind Institute would be, from every point of view, the best way of celebrating the Queen's Record Reign. The buildings used at the present time are inadequate, unsuitable, and dangerous, owing to the risk of fire. In order that the risk may be minimised, and for other reasons, it has been found necessary to have several detached buildings, some of which are at considerable distances from the main structure. The result is, that in the case of a child taking ill at night, for instance, the matron may have to walk a distance of something like 60 yards. This is a serious matter, especially in the winter time both for the matron and the children." " What sort of a building would you suggest, and what do you consider would be the cost?" 11 Well, he had in hit mind a building of two storeys, witb a wing at each end of the main structure—something after the shape of the Hospital. This would be most convenient for purposes of management and for purposes of proper classification. When the Institute was started it was always intended that it should be a permanent establishment. We took over an old house, and additions were made as our requirements increased and as the means at our disposal permitted. We have received eulogise from various parts of the world regarding the work we are doing; but if we are to do this thing and to do it as well as it can be done we must have suitable buildings. I am not prepared juit now to go into the question ot cost. Plans must first be prepared and a careful estimate made." "Then you intend to advocate the claims of the Blind Institute, Mr. Abbottt" " Yes; and when the people have their hearts warmed up as on an occasion tuchas the coming celebrations, we hope to catch a share of their generosity. I believe in the motto,' Prove all tbings, and bold fast to that which is good.' The Blind Institute has proved itself good, and we should hold fast to it and make it as efficient as possible in every way." "Bub what would you do with the present buildings ?" "I am aware the public may say ' you have these buildings'; but they were reared with the understanding that if we once had a permanent structure iu brick, ample use could still be made of them. The present detached and scattered buildings are unsuitable as I have already said. You must renumber there are some thirty people in the iastitute, and only four eyes to look after them. All the iumates of the establishment but two are blind. So every provision should be made in case some calamity, which God forbid, should happen. The public have hitherto behaved most handsomely to the Institute, and the benefits il bestows are wonderful considering the difficulties and the surroundings amid which the work is being carried on. From assurances I have received in many influential quarters, I have good reason to believe that the public will not forget us in connection with the approaching celebrations,"

A HALL OF SCIENCE. A HraiLD representative yesterday waited on Mr. John Moo, manager of the Costley Home, Epsom, with the objacb of eliciting hia viows upon th« subject. " I suppose you have read the suggestions which have been nude at to the beet manner in which Auckland could celebrate the record reign ?" queried our reporter. "Yee," responded Mr. Mose, "many valuable euggwtions, each admirable in its way, bare recently appeared in the columns of the Herald re the commemoration in Rome tangible manner of the record reign. Of theie, I may mention the respective proposal toestabliah a children's hospital, convalescent home, and toe addition of a wing to tbe lunatic asylum. Iα reference to the children'! hospital it must be patent to all who are impartial that, with tbe exception of a few extraordinary cases, home, where parental love and care does or should abound, is pre-eminently the place tor the treatment of children. Hβ regards the establishment of a convalescent home, there is the danger as clearly indicated in tbe Herald of unwisely multiplying the already numerous charitable organisations; and then, there remains the fact that hitherto cases requiring temporary rest and care have been met in the exieting institutions without in any appreciable sense viotating tbe beneovlent sentiment of tbe community." " And what do you suggest as a fitting manner in which to commemorate the auspicious occasion!" " Well, I have a firm conviction that a far greater amount of permanent and solid good might be brought about by the erectiou of a initable building commemorative of the Queen's record reign, in a central position, say on the vacant apace between the Public Library and Lome-street, such building to called the 'Victoria Mall of Science.' Viewed superficially such an idea may appear erratic and devoid of a benevolent basis. This is, however, not so, as I proceed to show. To begin with, there ia no study moro noble and ennobling, both to the individual and tbe human family than science. Tbe reduction of universal law to verifiable knowledge, and there exists no place in Auckland where its citizens, among whom are its readers, reformers, thinkers, and philosophers, can meet to discuss tbe vital questions of the day. Such discussions could there take place, which would have for their only ultimate object, die highest, and the best good of all classes, present and prospective, and finally the reduction to the nearest vanishing point of the need for such institutions, which are peopled, not with the products of enlightenment and love, but, with the victims generally of lust, vice, crime, disease, weakneae, and misery. We want ideas—noble, altruistic, and philosophical ideas, and as such ideas must necessarily precede their practical consummation, H follows that a suitable building should be erected, in which the prominent questions of tbe day could be freely discussed, and finally actualiied. The tendency with many well • meaning reformers is to temporise «nd deal superficially with the vital problems of the day, as proved by the leaps and bounds with which crime, pauperism, lunacy, disease, etc., an increasing. The trend of enlightened modern thought should be, and distinctly is in the direction not of mending, but ending the existing barbarous social order, or rather disorder. Let ns have a building then as suggested for the purposes indicated. 1 know of no more fitting way to do tbe greatest geod, and to of the Queen than the establishment of a Victoria Hall of Science."

"By the way," said Mr. Moss in conclusion, " I notice that reference has been made in yoar columns to the treatment of cancer patients, and tbe necessity that exists for their isolation as ouch as possible. Here in our home we have a cancer ward, which could be used for the reception of all patients suffering from that dreadful disease. It would be necessary, however, in that case to increase the'staff, which is totally inadequate to perform the extra work required, if it were decided to throw open the doors «f our ward to all such

CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor. Sir—lt i> to be feared in the multitude of suggestions little will be done to celebrate this unprecedented event in a manner commensurate with the Queen's own wishes. I do not think the public would agree with Mr. Ewington's suggestion to provide for the classification of inmates of the Lunatic Asylum, "because in the best interests of the patients and their cure it is the duty of the management or the Government to take care that each classification exists, or room for such classification. As regards a obild's hospital there is already a ward for that purpose. If more room it wanted, it should be paid for out of the Charitable Aid rate. Aβ to tome remarks against the situation, it has been publicly stated that it was so selected by the Hospital medical staff. A convalescent hospital there is none, and such patients sent to the Costley Home, which is moel unsuitable, only keep filled room urgently required for old people. Dr. Sherman's argument that Auckland climate is unfitted for a convalescent Home only shows the necessity tor having such a place in the most healthy situation attainable. I pointed out a delightful position at Kauri \ Point, with very deep water, facing the harbour, 16 minutes' steam from Queenstreet Wharf; the site would cost) nothing, and a plain structure could bo erected, amply sufficient, for say a £1000. A few thousands with the Government subsidy would provide funds for its maintenance, with the aid of the charitably disposed in our midst, whose number is legion. Such an establishment would be a great boon and blessing to the poor, and would secure more room for patients at the Hospital, and for aged men and women at the Costley Home, and would give convalescent patients a chance of regaining their health, and preventing their becoming a charge either on their friends or on the charitable aid rates. No doubt all the suggestions are good in their way ; the question arises which is the most practical and the most needed ? It is to be hoped, however, that differences of opinion will not prevent our agreeing to waive them into one united effort in whatever direction the majority muy resolve upon.— Yours, etc., P. A. Philips.