First Social Centre For Blind Opened In Timaru

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30588, 3 November 1964, Page 14

First Social Centre For Blind Opened In Timaru

The first of its kind in New Zealand, and the second of its type in the world, there being one in New York, an attractive social centre for the blind was officially opened by the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) at Timaru on Saturday.

At the ceremony, which was arranged by the Timaru Advisory Committee, were the director of the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind (Mr E. W. Christianson, of Auckland), the South Island manager (Mr G. Ashdowne, of Christchurch), the deputy-chairman of the Board of Trustees (Mr W. Bryan, of Auckland), the chairman of the local committee (Mrs L. G. B. McAlister), the Mayor (Mr C. E. Thomson) and Mayoress, and Mr and Mrs C. C. Lennon, who pioneered activities for blind persons in Timaru.

The minister congratulated the people of Timaru and the advisory committee for the “tremendous” amount of work in providing facilities for social activities and occupational therapy. Timaru possessed the first “pure” social centre in the country, the Minister said.

“Blind people do not want to be molly-coddled. They want the provision of certain amenities that are going to help them to help themI selves,” he added.

The Minister expressed the

wish that those who made use of the building would find much enjoyment and happiness in the activities to be carried on, and that th" centre would play its full part in helping the blind people of the community. Mrs McAlister said that, over the years, the subbranch had “gone from pillar to post,” but it now had a centre it could call its own. She thanked the Minister for his interest in the blind, and in the planning of the new centre. She said that numerous organisations had given money towards the furnishings, and assisted in many other directions. She also paid a tribute to the chairman of the Christchurch branch (Mr Ashdowne) and his staff for the courtesy, tact, and understanding shown in connexion with the project Mr Bryan, who was deputising for Mr A. Robertson, of Christchurch, trustee for the region, said the board was conscious of the needs of blind persons throughout New Zealand. The problem was to do everything it would like to do. Thanks were due to the

people of South Canterbury in providing such a social club. Without Government help, the foundation would not be able to provide any measure of the assistance it was able to offer the blind. The Timaru social centre was the latest project engaged upon by the foundation, the biggest being Homai College, near Auckland, a residential school on a par with standards anywhere else in the world. Mr Christianson told the gathering that he was proud of the new venture in Timaru. Not only was it the only one of its kind in the Dominion, but it compared very favourably with that in New York, hitherto the only one in the world, he said. The Mayor congratulated the foundation and the centre on its enterprise and vision. Timaru was greatly privileged to have such a social centre for the blind, and it was a standard which other centres throughout New Zealand would endeavour to emulate. Mr Thomson said.

The new centre, situated on the comers of Elizabeth street and Grey road, was constructed by C. Lund and Son, Ltd. It occupies an arqa of 1250 sq. ft., and comprises a hall, kitchen and toilet facilities. Built of concrete blocks, with a ramp leading to the main entrance, the building has a generous expanse of glazing. The architect was Mr O. W. MacDonald.