THE JOY OF GIVING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 344, 3 May 1928, Page 8

THE JOY OF GIVING

IF “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” the many bene-, _ factors who at one time or another have made gifts out of their private wealth for the benefit of the city must have experienced an almost sublime satisfaction. Indeed, there is a joy in giving which adequately recompenses the generous heart, and were the fullness thereof more generally known there would be many more public benefactions to increase the charms of this beautiful city. Gratitude is due the memory of those Aucklanders who, passing hence, remembered in their testaments the needs of the city in which they amassed riches; but how much more satisfactory it is, to the benefactor and the beneficed alike, that such gifts be made during the lifetime of the giver. Those who have passed beyond the reach of earthly px-aise when their benefactions have been made known have deprived their fellowcitizens of paying them the grateful felicitation which a dowered community delights to express. In this they have missed one of the joys attendant upon giving. In this connection the story of the new winter garden in Auckland Domain is of extraordinary interest. Replying yesterday to the thanks expressed by the Mayor to those who had contributed in cash and kind to the erection of the beautiful glasshouse, Sir George Elliot related that his brother, Mr. William Elliot, had intended leaving enough money by his will to duplicate the old winter garden. This fact was mentioned to Mr. Pearson, the superintendent of parks, who seized the opportunity during a game of bowls to inform Mr. William Elliot he had heard that “someone” was going to leave £4,000 for the purpose—and added that it was a great pity the city should have to await the benefactor’s death before the extensions were made. The result was that Mr. Elliot decided to make the gift available almost at once. He gave £4,000, and a number of other citizens made up the balance needed to meet the total cost of the new structure, which was £10,681. Those who gave the money for this excellent object, and those who furthered it in other ways, have now the satisfaction of seeing the structure standing as a monument to their generositv and a joy to their fellow-citizens. Thus do they truly experience the joy of giving*, and illustrate the wisdom of giving while yet alive. Such examples should compel emulation.