PARTY FOR BLIND

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28767, 12 December 1958, Page 2

PARTY FOR BLIND

About 400 Guests Entertained

The Canterbury Advisory Committee of the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind entertained 380 members of the foundation and their escorts at a Christmas party held at the Caledonian Hall yesterday. The guests, who were transported to and from the party by a group of voluntary drivers attached to the foundation's centre in Christchurch, were welcomed by Mr G. F. C. Ashdowne, Christchurch, branch manager, and Mrs Ashdowne. Several blind children under school age attended the party. Gifts were distributed to the guests by Misses N Enright and Miss Margaret Bain, members of the advisory committee. Mr N. G. i Pickering, M.P., paid tribute to 'the magnificent work dhne by the branch for the blind.

Successive Governments had tealised that the blind had an important part to play in the affairs of the - Country and many prominent New Zealanders afflicted by blindness had given outstanding service to the Dominion. The present Government would do all it could to assist the foundation in its work, Mr Pickering said. Mayor’s Greetings Greetings were conveyed from the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Maiming) and from citizens of Christchurch by Mr L. G. Amos. The deputy-chairman of the advisory committee (Mr A. Robertson) thanked voluntary helpers and staff members for their help during the year. Messages of good wishes included telegrams from Auckland from the Director of the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind (Mr E. W. Christiansen) and the board of trustees.

Mrs L. Cole, aged 98, cut the Christmas cake. A musical programme was presented by the Santa Rosa Players, under the direction of Mrs Madge Waterson.

Guests of honour included the following:—Sir Ernest Andrews and Lady Andrews; Mr H. Sweney, a former chairman of the advisory committee, and Mrs Sweney; Mrs J. G. Collins, representing the Clothes Shop; Messrs N. G. Pickering, L. G. Amos, E. D. Queree, architect for the new South Island hostel for the blind; and Mr A. E. Romeril, a trustee for the Commercial Travellers Blinded Servicemen’s Fund.