PARTY FOR THE BLIND

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23448, 1 October 1941, Page 2

PARTY FOR THE BLIND

DISPLAY OF HANDWORK Yesterday afternoon, at the City Council-Chambers, the blind of the city were the honoured guests at. a reception given by the Christchurch committee of the Sir Arthur Pearspn memorial fund. These pleasant social gatherings are held at .intervals three or four times a year, but added importance was given to the party yesterday because, in conjunction with it was held an exhibition of handcraft done by the blind, an exhibition that would have done credit to the most skilful of workers who enjoy good eyesight. The exhibit included a pull-over done in cable stitch by a blind girl in Greymouth, who followed the directions in Braille: a dainty white shawl made fay a blind Chinese girl; natural-looking artificial flowers made by a woman of 70 years; a woollen suit, knitted cardigans, and jumpers, beadwork, bed socks, broom covers, crochet work done by a woman of 96 years: dolls and knitted dolls’ clothes, golliwogs, picnic towels and dusters, babies’ knitwear, hot-water bottle covers, several pairs of socks, a basket, a baby's bonnet knitted by a blind child, a cushion, balaclavas, knitted quilts, and a display of a method of writing with the aid of lines. The exhibition aroused great interest, and all the goods were much admired. Mr H. Holland, chairman of the committee, who was accompanied by Mrs Holland, welcomed the guests of honour at the party and expressed pleasure at the presence of the Mayor, Mr E. H. Andrews, and the Mayoress, Miss E. Couzins. A short programme was given by Miss Gwyn Webster, instrumental items, Mr George Campbell (songs), Miss Muriel Stanley (pianoforte solo and accompaniments), Mrs W. H. Cbllins (elocutionary items). Miss Nonie Enright read a poem composed by Mr J. McLay, one of the honoured guests. Tea was served by the women members of the committee—-Mis J. G. Collins, Lady Acland, Mrs W. S. Bean, Miss N. Enright, and Mrs J. K. Hardy. ENGAGEMENT The engagement is announced of Ruth Naomi, youngest daughter of Mrs Nat Woods, and the late Mr Nat Woods, Fendalton, to Leading Aircraftsman Brian Cecil, third son of Mr and Mrs Arthur Heaps, Merivale. The engagement is announced of Bryan Fowler, son of Mrs Cook and the late Mr A. E. Cook, of Loburn, to Nan, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ronald Macdonald, Waikuku. Divorces in Los Angeles.—lt was announced to-day that for the five years ended June 30 there were three divorces in every seven marriages in Los Angeles County. A total of 115,271 marriage licences were issued, and 48,278 divorces were granted. : —Los Angeles, September 29.