To New Life By Touch

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 1

To New Life By Touch

A bearded White Russian immigrant, Mr Zatey Ganovicheff, aged 50 years, who has been blind since birth, at Harewood Airport last evening felt his way into a new life and a new country with his fingertips. He gently tapped his fingers on the customs counter as he ushered his wife, Maria, six daughters, two sons and grandson through the customs barrier. A Carpenter His daughter-in-law, Evdinia, who daily reads him the newspapers, gave him a running verbal commentary, of what their new land looked like. Mr Ganovicheff is a carpenter. Neither he, nor his family speak a word of English. Through an interpreter he said that he looked forward

to their future and new home in Invercargill. His family was among 36 White Russian Old Believers who arrived in Christchurch from Hong Kong to go on to settle in Southland. With Mr Ganovicheff came his most treasured possession

—his box of carpenter’s tools. In it, carefully packed, were his saw, plane, hammer, chisels, and rasps. “I hope in my: new home to make Russian tables, chairs, beehives and boxes,” he said, through an interpreter. “My blindness does not affect the quality of my work. “In Hong Kong, while my family was waiting to come to New Zealand, I made camphorwood boxes.” Mr Ganovicheff’s children range from his youngest daughter, Feodosia, aged five, to his married son, Ilarion, aged 21. Also with him,, is his mother, Havronia, aged 80. Siberian-Born He was born in Siberia. Bebecause of his blindness, he did not attend school and could not help on the family farm. He moved into China in 1929 with his parents, and in June 1964, went to Hong Kong. Mr Ganovicheff’s wife was born in Siberia, and his children in the Sinkiang district of China. At their home in Invercargill, Mr Ganovicheff said that he hoped to get to know New Zealand by taking long walks. His family would show him the way, and describe the beauty of their new home as they walked along. “I am grateful to New Zealand for having me, a blind man with a big family.”