JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11800, 1 November 1901, Page 7

JUBILEE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND.

OFFICIAL INQUIRY. EVIDENCE OF TRUSTEES. THE inquiry into the conduct of tho Jubilee Institute for the Blind and into the treatment of the inmates thereof was continued yesterday at the Magistrate's Court before tho Commissionei (Mr. 11. W. Brabant, S.M.) Joseph Thornes, chairman of the trustees, deposed that there were nine trustees ot the institute. Witness considered that Tighe'* managemen. was very good, and had visited the institute a,L various times of the day and had always found Mr. Tighe at his duties. Witness considered that Tighe was an exceptionally good teacher of the blind. Witness had been told by a number of the inmates, in answer to his inquiry, that they were satisfied with their instruction. Witness did not believe Clark's statements that ho was not properly taught. Witness considered that the food had always been ample, . hut thought that before the fiustces held the inquiry there might have been ? little more variety in the food. Witnes? thought it was an open question whether the present system of giving the food supply into Mr. Tiche's hands should be discontinued. In answer to His Worship, witness thought 'Mr. Tigho expended in food all lie received for th>> purpose, but there would always be a suspicion on the part of the public that Mr. Tighe was doing well out of tho transaction. The trustees did not approve of Mr. Tig'ie keeping racehorses. They had held an inquiry into the charge of assault brought by Clark against the principal, and the conclusion was arrived at that Clark came home drunk., and that Mr. she's explanation was correct. Witness did not consider it was wise on Mr. Titrhe's ; art to oano MclCinley, as he was an adult. His Worship said, speaking as a magistrate, it. seemed to him that, he would have to convict in sucih a case, if the man charged the principal with assault Tie did not think that such a proceeding could be considered as punishment of a pupil. To Mr. Manony: Mo iCinley had never complained to the trustees about his being caned. , So far as witness had heard and seen, the dietary scale drawn tip ia April had been adhered to. and a month ago the visiting committee had expressed themselves quite satisfied with the food supplied. The- trustees met regularly, and took the greatest interest in the work of the institute. The trustees advised Mr. Tighe to dispose f his racehorses, which he did. No complaint had ever been received against Mr. Tighe's moral fharacter. By His Worship: Tho object of the institute was to help the inmates to help themselves, and it was thought that it would do better for the blind to live inside the institute than board them out. The hoard-mg-out question was still under tho consideiation of tho trustees. Witness took exception to the statements in Mi. Pope's report ss to ventilation, and as to starving 1 the industrial department of the institute, owing to lack of funds, but they had endeavoured to provide every up-to-date convenience. Dr. A. 0. Purchas, lion, oculist to the institute, gave evidence. He expressed the opinion that after the patients in the institute had been operated on they had received every attention. Wilfred Rathbone, journalist, Parnell, deposed to visiting the institute in his official capacity, and to dining with some of the adult inmates. He found the premises scrupulously clean, and everything in order. Witness handed in a copy of an article writton by him, and which spoke favourably of .t.hs conduct of the institute. Witness had inspected blind homes in England, and was not altogether unacquainted with the conduct of these asylums. By Mr. Wilding: The date of witness'visit to the institute was not known to the management prior to his visit. Mrs. Morley deposed that she was the aunt of two girls who were inmates of the institute, and had often visited that, and found them well looked after, and was satisfied with their treatment.

Henry Sam ways, storeman, Wellesleystreet-, deposed that his daughter had been an inmate of the institute about a year ago. The girl had told witness that she was very happy in the institute, and was satisfied with her food and treatment. Witness had never received any complaint as to the mismanagement of the institute, but the girl had told witness that there were- some inmates who grumbled between themselves. Witness was so pleased with what he had seen of the management that ha became a member of the institute.

Dr. Marsack. honorary medical officer of the institute, said he visited the institute on an average about four times a week. Nearly all witness" visits for the past eight years were surprise visits. Witness' opinion was tha- the principal was a kind, considerate, and humane man, and thoughtful and considerate for the inmates in times of illness. The matron's attention and care of the ■children deserved great praise. Witness had ways found Curtis, the foreman, hard at work on his visits. Witness had seen the food supplied, but had not tasted it. It was of a better quality than that sup-plied in similar institutions in England. With regard to the complaint that the inmates were supplied with skim-milk, witness had ordered that all the milk supplied should be sterilised, in view of the quantity of tuberculosis that was about. Witness had frequently inspected the men's quarters, and had always found them clean, and, in his opinion, they were comfortable. Witness had always found the kitchen in r cleanly state. Witness had many times found the inmates enjoying life hilariously, and the women and children were laughing and indulging in games during his visits. During the past year there had been a change in the men, and they had shown it in their demeanour, An the blind were naturally suspicious, one man, who might bo a bit of a bush lawyer, was capable of causing discontent among the men. Witness thought the mer would be far happier if they were boarded out.

By Mr. Mahony : Witness hat! on one occasion been summoned to the institute to attend the man Clark, but on arriving found that he had gone out in spite of his instructions to remain in. The medical attendance was thoroughly efficient, and witness had never heard of any laxity on the part of the medical staff.

James Henry Moore Carpenter, one of the trustees _of the institute, and a member of the Visiting Committee for the past 12 months, siid he visited the institute at least once . fortnight. Witness was perfectly satisfied with Mr. Tighe's management, and considered him capable in every way. Mr. Tie he was the right man in the right place. Witness had had man) opportunities of observing the food supplied to the inmates, and considered it good, and had not noticed any falling away of late in this respect. Witness thought the food allowance given to Mr. Tigho a fair one, and lie did not think that there would be a big profit for the principal under the present system, especially since the new dietary scale was introduced. Witness thought the present arrangement should be continued. He considered the instruction given was efficient and good. Witness was quite satisfied with Mr 3. Tic-he as a matron, and was quite sure that she had the interests of the children at heart, and that they were oared for and properly taught. Bv His Worship: The trustees had entire confidence in Mi. Tighe. Witness disagreed with Mr. Pope's report that the men's dormitory -vas dirty. Witness did not understand the remark that the funds were "religiously husbanded," a® the trustees could not do more than they had done. By Mv. Mahony : Witness had never had occasion to find fault with the general management of the institute.

By Mr. Tighe: The .acing ponies had been sent away from the institute as soon as the trustees advised it. Witness understood that the poniet belonged to ? man named Byers. Mr. Tigho: One of the ponies belonged to Byers, and the other belonged to a bli--id man residing in Taranaki.

Witness, continuing, said he had never known Mi. Tighe t. be absent when he plaited the institute. He had never known Mr. Tighe to refuse to give instruction in an inmate.

11. M. Smeeton, one of the trustees, said he had been member of the Visiting Committee, and had always found the principal at hit; post. The visits were always surprise visits. Witness had inspected the food prior to the complaints being made, and found it Rood, After the inquiry the committee paid special attention to the food, and only on one occasion had cause for complaint This was When brown sugar was found in th* looker instead of «vhite. Witness did not consider we present food supply system good, but '••ought the principal could not make any Profit out of the allowance at certain soa-j-on-i cf the year ' Witness thought Mr. Jiglie was entitled to some profit. Witness took exception to Mi. Pope's report that the dormitories and beds were neither clean nor comfortable. Witness had frequently inspected both, and had found them very clean.

J. W. Curtis, butcher, and brother-in-law of the girl Conway, said he had never heard from the girl that Mr. Tighe had assaulted her. Witness was satisfied with the treatment that Miss Conway got, and said she had been benefited both in instruction and health since she had been un inmate of the '.MtituUi. •

James Vercoe, who has a "brother ail inmate of the institute, named Arthur "Vercoe, said he had frequently visited the institute. Witness' brother had made no complaint to witness, and had expressed himself satisfied with his treatment, and had benefited in health.

Hubert Norton, butcher, employed by Geo. Raynes, of Parnell, said he supplied the meat for the nse of the inmates of the Blind Institute, and it was the best meat they had in the shop. The price charged was 4d per lb all round.

By Mr. Tight-: Witness had often had a meal at the institute, and found the food was of good quality. He had seen it in course of preparation. The matron would not receive any meat from witness that was not ol the best quality. Witness supplied the Orphan Home with meat, and there was no comparison with that supplied to the institute. ' * George Foster, grocer, was called, and gave evidence as to the quality of goods supplied to the institute.

A lad named Frederick William Kilbp, who had acted as guide to the institute's blind travelling teacher and collector, said he had often dined at the institute, and had found the food as good ac any he had been supplied with when travelling with the teacher (Millar) round the colony. A former inmate of tho institute named William Harris said ho had always found the food supplied very- good, and was very well satisfied with his treatment. He had never known the principal to refuse to give instruction to any person. Witness looked upon Mr. Tighe as a father to the blind, and said lie always treated and spoke to the inmates in a respectful manner. Witness remembered the Lynch occurrence, and said the hoy Lynch had stated that lie had cut his knee against the bedpost. Tito Court then adjourned, and the Commissioner announced that lie would sit at ten o'clock this morning at the Blind Institute. Parnell.

An error crept into the report published of Wednesday's proceedings, when it was stated that the statement handed in by the secretary referred to money paid to the principal for upkeep. These amounts were paid to the principal or account of the purchase of food only.