CARE OF THE BLIND

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 100, 25 October 1916, Page 8

CARE OF THE BLIND

A question has arisen which may havo an important bearing, dealing with the care and instruction of returned soldiers blinded as a result of the war. Correspondence hae passed between, the Government and the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland, and that institution has promised all possible assistance when the necessity arises.

_ The Institute is already well established, . and is managed on most modern lines as to teaching the blind. Us annual report, just received, shows that among the subjects taught *are carpentry, pianoforte tuning and repairing, baskat-making, typewriting and shorthand, sewing, • and hand and machine knitting, massage (for which the blind can _be particularly well qualified), music (both practical and theoretical). In order to give the blind of New Zealand an opportunity to become organists as they axe in other countries, Mr. Henry Brett gave to the Institute th<? pipe organ which he purchased from the Auckland Choral Society, also £100 for the expenses of removing and overhauling the instrument. In making his gift Mr. Brett wrote that the had long felt a desire to do something to bring greater happiness into the Hves of thos» suffering tinder one of .the saddest of human afflictions. He recognised the great power of music in bringing comfort to sad hearts, and trusted that his gift would become for many years a source of pleasure to the inmates. Mr. G. W. Alkop, F.R.1.8.A., as honorary architect, gratuitously prepared plans. for the additions necessary to accommodate the organ.'