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Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 82, 7 April 1943, Page 4

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BLIND IN NEW ZEALAND

FINE WORK OF INSTITUTE

"This year has been an extraordinarily trying one, owing to war difficulties, but has been successful in every way," stated the report of the director at the annual meeting of contributors to the New Zealand Institute for the Blind yesterday. The report added that the total number of blind cases throughout the Dominion, registered at the institute, had increased from 1083 to 1176, but the roll had decreased from 199 to 191. There were 27 pupils at the school. The conduct had been excellent and the standard of progress high. An increased output from the workshops had produced a total of £31,336. "Many things which we did not think could be clone in this department are being done, and well done," said the report. v The National War Funds Council had co-operated with the institute splendidly in dealing with the cases of soldiers who had become blind after the last war. The extra assistance given to these men had been highly appreciated. The director added that he was pleased to state that they had already trained one soldier blinded in the present war, a second was commencing his training and a third would be coming to the institute after Easter. Altogether 24 bequests were received during the year, ranging up to £1400, t and totalling £5290. Subscribers had been generous and the amount collected for the year was £15,350. The Government subsidy amounted to £5723. The deputy-chairman's report made reference to the Government's action in allowing a free radio license to all certified blind people in New Zealand. This gift was valued at over £600. The following trustees were reelected unopposed: Chairman, Mr. A. J. Hutchinson; deputy-chairman, Mr. C. I. Nathan; trustees nominated by contributors, Messrs. C. I. Nathan and H. C. McCoy.