£20,000 MORE WANTED

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 120, 6 February 1923, Page 8

£20,000 MORE WANTED

PEARSON FUND FOR BLIND MANY CASES TO BE DEALT WITH BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Christchurch, February 5. Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, who promoted the New Zealand Pearson Memorial Fund for the blind, explained the present position of the fund to tho Christchurch Committee to-day. He said it was hoped that tlie final objective would be reached within eight or nine months. Thero was evidently some misapprehension concerning the disposition of the fund. There had been no departure whatever from the original intention. There were a great many cases to be dealt with, and these fell into at_ least three classes: (1) Children who were born blind : these needed a specialised institute for instruction. (2) Adult blind ; many of these would require to be taught at their own homes bv voluntary teachers, and others would have to go to a proper school. (3) The aged blind; these would require to be taught at home. Special committees could supervise the arrangements for voluntary teachers. He hoped that these would be blinded soldiers and civilians assisted by others who took an interest in the work, When a blind person was sent to the' Auckland Institute for tho Blind it did not mean that the Pearson fund was called upon to bear the expense. The amount was paid bv tho institute’s own fund, and this should be very clearly understood. The Auckland Institute had be»n long established, and it would not be economical to establish another institute. Onlv severity-five people attended the Auckland institute. Fortv-five of these wero adults, most of,whom did not reside in the institute.

Mr. Mart’n moved a heartv vote of thanks to Mr. Mackenzie, whoso statement would greatly assist the committee in raising the rest of if’ quota. Mr. Fa’rbnirn. who seconded the motion. said that ho felt the greatest sympathy with-the noble work done bv Mr. Mackenzie.

Air. Mackenzie, who w,as received with serialise, thanked members for the’- he’p to the fund. Tho approval of Canterbury had procured supnort for the movement throughout New Zeebnd and he felt that the additional £29,030 required would be raised.