CARING FOR THE BLIND

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 61, 6 December 1926, Page 12

CARING FOR THE BLIND

WORK THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND One of the most useful departments oi the Jubilee Institute for the Blind is that which cares for the blind iu all parts of the Dominion by means of' the special revenue provided by the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund. Established in 19-22, its capital now amounts to £62,000, and its mam purpose is, by making grants and loans of from a few pounds to £4OO or £5OO, to enable the blind to become established iu permanent and useful occupations; and, in addition, to provide them with facilities which will add to their enjoyment and usefulness in life. At the request of the trustees of the institute in Auckland, Mr. Clutha Mackenzie recently spent a fortnight tn meeting the institute’s Advisory Committees in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and in inspecting the position of the blind in those districts. His reports reveals a satisfactory situation. . ' “The financial assistance given by the board.” he savs, “has in practically every case been most worthily used, and has undoubtedly resulted in many, who would otherwise have been able to achieve little or nothing, becoming permanently established in useful occupations.” , • The committees in the three southern centres had. arranged enoyable gatherings, at each of which he had z met about thirty blind people, in addition to which he had visited many personally in their homes. They looked forward keenly to these gatherings, winch had become annual events, tor it eu abled them to meet others handicapped bv the same physical loss, to talk over ' their difficulties, and their accomplishments, and to find encouragement and help. The one spirit he had encountered, was cheerfulness and courage. He could not speak too highly of the splendid heroism they had exhibited iu their battle to make good; and he had told them that they could feel that the trustees were behind them—not to dole out charity—but to give practical help in all worthy cases. Mr. Mackenzie referred in detail to a number of the cases he had investigated of basket-makers, musicians, masseurs. a piano tuner, a shell and grit grinder, and others who had been put on their feet in suitable businesses, and in some cases rescued from absolute poverty. Mr. Mackenzie spoke also of the way in which blind women, unknown to the general public, were carrying on bravely in their homes, doing the lousehold work and caring for children. The arrangement for the supply of literature, free of charge, and of ytpewriters, Braille writers, and tools at low cost was stated to be satisfactory. He submitted a number of recommendations for financial assistance in cases into . which he had looked. He reported having found several blind children requiring education, whom it would be advisable to admit to the institute.

Mr. Mackenzie spoke of the invaluable assistance given by the advisory committees. The Mayors of Christchurch and Dunedin acted as the local chaiimen, and dealt personally with a number of the cases. The Rotary Clubs and the Red Cross Society, top, were ready at all times to give what help they could. He felt sure that Lady Pearson, when she visited New Zealand next February, would be delighted with the success of the work which had been initiated by the blinded soldiers of New Zealand; as a tribute to her husband’s memory.