INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25284, 9 September 1947, Page 5

INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND

YEAR’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED Extensive use had been made of the institute’s library system during the last year, when 6325 braille and Moon volumes and 48,500 talkfng books had been distributed, states the annual report of the director of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind (Mr E. W. Christiansen). The library service was greatly appreciated by the blind throughout New Zealand, he said, and the Wellington Braille Club, a group of voluntary workers, had transcribed a large number of volumes for the library’s use. The homecraft scheme which was inaugurated last year had expanded rapidly throughout the country and a wide variety of articles was being made. The scheme had achieved its ends, said Mr Christiansen, since there was now an occupation available to any blind person who wished to make use of his or her leisure hours. Various social clubs set up in the main towns had done much towards fostering the spirit of close relationship between the institute and the individual blind people. The last year had been one of progress, said the report of the chairman (Mr C. I. Nathan), and the institute had received generous treatment from the public and the Government. Outstanding evidence of progress during the year was the opening of the “Sunrise” home for babies, the occupation of Nathan House for blind youths and boys, and the acquisition of premises in Wellington for the branch there. “Sunrise” was opened in July, 1946, said the report, when six blind children were admitted. Some of these children did not know how to eat or to stand at the time, but the home was remedying these defects and the children were being taught to be useful citizens. In the report the Government was thanked for. its generosity in giving £2500 towards the purchase of and renovations to “Sunrise,” and for its promise of another £5OOO towards the renovation of the main institute building at Parnell.