“A WORTHY WORK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 75, 20 June 1927, Page 1

“A WORTHY WORK”

JUBILEE INSTITUTE * NEW WORKSHOPS OPENED CEREMONY ON SATURDAY “'NJO work in this world is so worthy of assistance as one of this kind, for the benefit of those who have lost their sight,” siaid the Hon. Sir Edwin Mitchelson, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., in officially opening the new workshops at the Jubilee Institute for the Blind on Saturday afternoon. ‘ The public of Auckland has been most generous to institutes of this kind,” continued Sir Edwin. “The buildings now completed are entirely free of debt, and great credit is due to the trustees, to whom it is a voluntary work, and a work of love.” “There are 70 workers engaged in the institute, and the benefits they

derive enable them to go out and work for themselves. So great is the competition outside, however, that a great many of them are content to remain where their earnings are sure and safe.” Introducing Sir Edwin to the large assembly of visitors that witnessed the ceremony, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Samuel Vaile, referred gratefully to the amount of £17,800 which had been raised by the public of Auckland, the Government subsidy of £15,000, and especially to the weekly contributions of wageearners. TO BE SELF-SUPPORTING The new workshops—a two-storeyed structure, roomy, airy, and fireproof —completed the building programme, the chairman told his hearers. “It is intended to make the institute entirely self-supporting. The Government subsidy has been withdrawn. The Government does not show the sympathy that it might be expected to show t an institute of this kind.” “They require bustle and amusement,” said Sir Thomas Mackenzie, “and a few of them go to church, I believe,” he added. “If we urge the buying of British-made goods, then how much more should we urge the purchase of articles made by these blind people.” Inside the building, after the ceremony, the visitors saw examples of -the industry of the blind workers, and various kinds of basketware, doormats, and strawberry boxes, in course of manufacture. Quite a brisk trade was done with the visitors, both at the Manukau Road shop and the one in the new building.