ANOTHER HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 177, 29 July 1939, Page 10

ANOTHER HOME.

FOR BLIND PEOPLE. ELDERLY WOMEN'S NEEDS. NAMED AFTER THE CHAIRMAN. Another milestone of progress in the growth of tlie New Zealand Institute for flie Blind will be reached on August 7, when there will lie opened in Titoki Street, Parnell, '"Hutchinson Home, - ' a home for elderly blind women. This is a much-needed addition to the organisation. In making (his announcement to-day, Mr. .1. K. Broadfoot, acting-director of the institution, reviewed the number of buildings now in u-o and stated that tin l new building—an old house belonging to tin- institute—had been thoroughly renovated and further additions made. It was in an ideal position for the purpose intended, being sunny and some distance from the traffic. In addition, it was surrounded by line open (■round's laid out in lawns and flowerbeds and there was easy aece.-s to the Domain. It should prove a boon to blind women drawn from the ieuytii and breadth of the Dominion. •'lt should be remembered that the New Zealand Institute for th.' Blind is tin: headquarters of the only organisation in whose care is the welfare of the blind throughout the Dominion," said Mr. Broadfoot. '"There are committees in all the leading cities, and a large body of voluntary workers in close touch with the board of trustees. During the past J2 months more, than 3000 people from all over the Dominion visited the institute, and it i* regrettable that so few Auckland residents take advantage of the opportunity, or know the great work that is being carried on, especially as the premises are open* from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m." The new home, he said, is to be called the '"Hutchinson Home," at the special request of fhe Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, under whose Department the institute is carried on by the board of trustees. Mr. A. -T. Hutchinson has been associated with the work for the blind in the Dominion for many years and his enthusiasm has been an inspiration to many during his 13 years as chairman of trustees. The board of trustees has taken a great personal interest in the institution and fortnightlv meetings are held. In an interview to-day Mr. Hutchinson said that the progress that had been made would have been impossible without the co-operation of the voluntary workers, who had devoted their energies to what must be one of the "reatest movements in the Dominion. He paid a special tribute to the Government, which had helped so generously. A special appeal was hein<r made for assistance in the furnishing of th" home which would cost about £f>oo. and a generous response had been received, though the special fund was still below requirements. There are some 1200 blind men. women and children in the Dominion. Tt is interesting to note that during the pest two years in various districts in Auckland there have been built 24 homes for married blind people, the policv of the board having been to distribute these afflicted people between the residences of normal people. It is stressed bv the institute that citizens are cordiallv invited to attend the opening ceremony in connection with the new home on August 7.