THE JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10429, 29 April 1897, Page 3

THE JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND.

TO THIS KDITOR, Sib,—As showing the intense interest manifested by the public in the desire to select the most appropriate method in which to perpetuate the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty Imay state t bat on all sides I ha ve been interrogated as to the history and character of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. May I, therefore, be permitted :o submit a few facts herein, which I trust may prove of general advantage, and tend also to elucidate the position? In the year 1890, on surveying the length and breadth of the celony, I was shocked n> find that whili adequate provision was made for the distribution of charitable aid that the blind (whose case was more urgent) wer« virtually all but unrecognised and uncared for. My spirit was moved, as when the wind blows on the face of the waters. A fire burned in my bones, these tongues of flame in letter after letter swept through the columns of the press till the conflagration caught hold of the public. My heart would have broken had not the dove returned with the olive branch of embryonic victory. Thereafter the following programme was issued :-l. Collect subscriptions from the public. & Layundet contribution histrionic and musical talent. 3. Annex the surplus of the Jubilee Sports. 4. Desire the churches to devote one Sabbath's collections yearly to the object. These four eggs I siraultaneouslyplaced in the incubator, embosomed in sympathetic heat. I imagined the ecclesiastical chicken would be the first to come out of his shell, but alas! while the three former came into evidence at the precise opportune moment of calculation, the fourth egg is still unhatcned— the uncharitable say ib is rotten. Encouraged by success, not eight, but 18 hours a, day I wrought, talking, walking, collecting, corresponding, travelling through all weather (sometimes drenched to the skin), 50 or 60 miles per diem. Staggering beneath my self-imposed load, la grippe seized me. My health broken dowu, I fell into the ruts; not, however, till the herculean portion of the work was done. I cannot further proceed without recording a tribute of profound admiration for the following co-workers who have fallen asleep: " Where the peasant and the kins Side by aide lie mouldering."

Bishop Luck, Archdeacon Maunsell, ]V Kidd, Dr. Kenderdine, Mesm James Di[. worth, John Roberton, ffm. Goodfellow, Jno. Mains, Joseph Newman. These worthies, in time, counsel, and coin, greatlv aided our new evangel. I trust enough has been advanced to convince the public that the completion of the Institute by the erection of a permanent struotur* is an object which would worthily accent* ate the Diamond Jubilee. Such a monument would bring "Glory to God in the Highest, peace on earth" to the donors, and exhibit an evidence of good-will amongst those blind men, women, and children, who are doomed to perpetual darkness till the day dawns, the clouds lift, aud the Ion;, long night loses itself in the welcome bosom of eternal day,— I am, , etc., John Abbott Hurstmere, April 27,1897.