TEN HOMES FOR BLIND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 858, 30 December 1929, Page 1

TEN HOMES FOR BLIND

REBUILDING FAMILY INTERESTS GIFT OF LARGE PROPERTY Homes where patients involved in the activities of the Auckland Institute for the Blind will be able to enjoy the company of their families will now be possible through a gift of land by Mr. George Wmstone, sen. 'VTEARLY four acres at Mount Roskill have been given to the institute by Mr. Winstone and. according to the statement of Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, chairman of the institute, this morning work will be begun within a few days on the construction of two homes for patients concerned in the new development. Mr. Hutchinson believes that there will be room for ten homes for such patients and he states that no delay will take place in completing the scheme. “Just amout nine months ago. Mi*. Clutha Mackenzie was talking over with us the future of the blind in New Zealand,” Mr. Hutchinson said. “Our particular was for married blind —the young and the middleaged who, through accident or sickness, lose their sight. We realised that their future happiness depended on our ability to provide them with work, to re-educate them, to assure them that the future was certain, that we would provide a home for them and work and pay. The greatest blessing to man on earth is work. To the blind this is doubly true. “Such cases have been induced to come to the institute. One unfortunate feature in connection with this plan was that it meant separating husband and wife, or father and mother and children. With this feature wo were much concerned. “MAXIMUM EARNING” “It was definitely decided that the institute workshops would provide the maximum earning capacity and that homes would eventually have to be provided for their wives and children. The big difficulty to overcome was the high cost of land within reasonable distance of the institute. Before Mr. Mackenzie left to attend the Blind Convention in England it was decided that an effort would be made to secure a suitable area and proceed with the scheme. “A suitable area was located at Mount Roskill, and on being approached, Mr. Winstone offered, free of charge, the ground. On Thursday, an agreement was signed to transfer the property to the institute. It is close to the concrete road, is near the State school, and has an excellent aspect. I believe that this gift will grow with the passing years. Families now separated will be brought together and constant employment for the afflicted patients w. 11 be ensured, within reasonable distance of their work.” Mr. Hutchinson added that it was proposed to promote and carry out a building plan. Arrangements will be made to secure to the widow, on the death of a patient, any financial interest held by the deceased in the home. Some patients have capital which will assist in building the homes. Mr. Hutchinson praised the gifts made to the blind in New Zealand anti expressed the institute’s appreciation of Mr. Winstone’s offer.

Referring to the goods produced at the institute, Mr. Hutchinson said the sales in the past nine months were worth £II,OOO. In 1928, they were worth £9.000. *