ASYLUM FOR THE BLIND.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 476, 31 May 1890, Page 4

ASYLUM FOR THE BLIND.

PROPOSED SITE AT EPSOM. Auckland, May 22. For a considerable time past Bishop G'owie has been using bis utmost endeavours to secure an asylum for the blind in Auckland, bub there has invariably been a difficulty re securing a suitable site on which to erect the necessary buildings, even if funds were available, and the procuring of these was a secondary difficulty. Tho last trouble, however, has in a large measure been overcome through the untiring energy of Mr John Abbott, and the generous response to his appeals by the Auckland public, while there is every reason to expect that the difficulty of securing a suitable site will also be surmounted. It is not, however, certain that the fund in question will be used in conjunction with the site secured, but this will probably bo a matter for negotiation in thefuture. When theHon.Mr Mitchelson was last in Auckland Bishop Cowie urged upon him the great necessity of prompt action on the part of the Government, and, faithful to a promise made, Mr Mitchelson brought the matter before the Cabinet and obtained the approval of his colleagues to introduce a Bill during tho coming session to provide a site. When Mr T. Thompson, M.H.R., was in Wellington on the Sweating Commission Mr Mitchelson consulted him on the matter, and a site has been selected lying between the windmill and the western corner of Owen’s Road in the Epsom Itoad district, containing about 5 acres. The Bill also provides for the securing of another adjacent piece for a recreation ground, and the obtaining of the old quarry as a gravel supply for the surrounding local bodies. During last session a Bill providing for a recreation ground at the same place passed through most of its stages in the Lower House, bub was strongly opposed in the Council, because the area asked for was said to be excessive. It is now thought that a recreation reserve will be an acquisition to the Blind Asylum, and consequently there should be little, if any. opposition to tho Bill. We may add that the land asked for is very rough scoria, and will take a large amount of labour to make it available for recreation purposes, but MrUdyand others say that voluntary contributions of labour and money will be forthcoming to make tho ground suitable for recreation purposes.