CARE OF THE BLIND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 491, 22 October 1928, Page 11

CARE OF THE BLIND

JUBILEE INSTITUTE’S WORK In recent years the trustees of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind have adopted a forward policy in overhauling the equipment, and in placing the organisation of the institute upon modern lines. The increase in the number of persons at the institute since 1923 is 36, the figures being: 1923, 76,; 1924, 88; 1925, 98; 1926, 96; 1927, 106; 1928, 112. Wages and salaries paid to blind persons totalled: 1923, £2,123; 1924, £2,616; 1925, £3,608; 1926, £4,903: 1927, £ 5.355; 1928, £6,026. The amounts of State pensions paid to blind workers through the institute offices were: 1925, £581; 1926, £2,844; 1927, £3,086; 1928, £3,611. Sales of goods have produced the following amounts: 1923, £2,466; 1924, £2,971; 1925, £3,519; 1926, £4,531; 1927, £5,935; 1928, £7,826. The increase in the number of people at the institute since 1923 is not a result of any increase in the total number of blind in the community, but of active following up of every blind person in New Zealand in order to see whether they would not benefit by the training and employment which the institute offered. On March 31 last, the trustees had on file the full details of 676 cases of blindness which they considered covered, with very few exceptions, the whole of the blind community. Though there is insufficient statistical evidence on which to base any conclusion the trustees are of the opinion that in general blindness in the Dominion is on the decrease, and ascribe the result principally to the increasing skill of opthalmic surgeons, and to the general improvement in medical practice.