Delay In Building School For Blind “Frustrating”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29784, 29 March 1962, Page 17

Delay In Building School For Blind “Frustrating”

The Government's decision to delay the building of Homai College, the proposed school for blind children in Auckland, was a frustration

for committees of the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind throughout the Do-

minion. said the chairman of the Canterbury Advisory Committee of the foundation *Mr L D. Wood) at the annual meeting yesterday. Although the services to the blind community in Canterbury and the West Coast had been increased and undertaken with success last

year, the Canterbury committee janch regretted the t's decision in relation to the national work of the foundation. "I trust

the Government will see fit to reconsider its decision at an early date,” he said. Lack of accommodation for elderly blind men in Christ-

church was becoming a major problem for this area, Mr Wood said. He hoped that something could soon be done to cater for these cases. A progressive move In Christchurch had been the establishment ot a committee of parents of blind children. Members had already been ot great assistance to one another and to the foundation, Mr Wood said. Incalculable service had been rendered during the year by the auxiliary of the Christchurch branch of the foundation. said the manager of the branch (Mr G. F. C Ashdowne). These voluntary helpers now numbered 227, he said. The auxiliary provided readers daily at blind institutions, hospitals, and private homes. Six . jaders were at present recording textbooks on magnetic tape for a student at Canterbury University. Drivers torn the auxiliary took blind persons to classes, clubs, social functions, and medical appointments, and on ordinary outings, Mr Ashdowne said. Though not all drives were recorded, more than 1200 of these trips had been noted since April, 1961. There had been a marked increase in the number of blind persons attending various classes, Mr Ashdowne said. Adult education classes for Braille, Moon (a system of reading similar to Braille), and typewriting-had been attended by 129 pupils last year. A pottery class, recently introduced. had proved most successful. A new tape talking book had been obtained for the library, and this should result in a great increase in the number of blind readers, Mr Ashdowne said. But outings and visits to various women’s organisations in the country had been extremely popular, and many blind persons had benefited from association with others at these functions, said Mr Ashdowne. More members had attended the men's and women's club®, and indoor bowls was becoming an increasingly popular sport, he said. The Christchurch club won the Friendship Cup at

the annual Dominion tournament for blind bowlers.

The number of blind persons registered with the branch was now 501, said Mr Ashdowne. "I regret that there has been an increase in the incidence of child blindness, but, as always, most new cases have been from toe upper age group,” he said.

Eight persons had been admittedly permanently to Fern wood, the foundation’s hostel in the South Island, and 24 had been given temporary accommodation during holidays or to convalesce after eye operations in the Christchurch Hospital, said Mr Ashdowne. Officers elected were:—

President, Mr 1 D. Wood; deputy-chairman, Mr A. Robertson; committee, Mrs S. Mair, Miss N. Enright and Messrs W. G. V. Fernie, A. Miller, and J. B. Williams.