CARE OF THE BLIND.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 81, 5 April 1923, Page 10

CARE OF THE BLIND.

I COMMITTER OF IXQUIRV. ll'.y Telenraph.--Press Association.) WELLIXGTOX. 'Wednesday. Cabinet Ims appointed Messrs. •!. Cuitgliley. director of education, C'lutha Mackenzie, .1. XV. Tibbs, ex-headmaster of ihe Auckland Grammar School, unci Robert Nolan, of Auckland, as a committee to inquire, inter alia, into the present condition of the blind in New Zealand and the means available tor their education and industrial or professional training, and to make recommendations. The committee will commence its work at Auckland on April Its, and will take evidence of all persons interested. It will have powers to call for all papers and reports.. The only institute in the Dominion for the education and vocational training of the blind is the Jubilee Institute for Blind at Auckland, managed by an electiie hoard of trustees, including three Government nominees. Its finance is founded on n trust fund formed from private sources, the Government subsidising the education of blind children to the extent of £25 for each pupil annually. Certain doubts have been expressed recently whether, in view of the improved methods and wider fields of training adopted elsewhere since the win", the course of instruction at the institute was as eiTieient as it should he. Moreover, it is desired to co-ordinate the work of tho institute as far as possible with that of the trustees of the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund, now approaching £22.0011. largely raised by the efforts of Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, for vocational training and the after-care of the blind. The latter trustees have, certain suggestions to mako as to improved curricula. Interviewed by the Minister of Kdueation cm the matter, the trustees of the institute welcomed tho suggestion tint an inquiry be held and at the Minister's request nominated Mr. Tibbs as their representative on the committee.