CLUB FOR BLIND

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 145, 22 June 1938, Page 20

CLUB FOR BLIND

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

FUNCTIONS DURING YEAR

Although the Wellington Social Club for the Blind has only just completed its third year its activities have increased and the annual report, which was recently presented to a general meeting of members, shows that a great deal has been done during the past year to help blind persons in Wellington, Twenty-two blind persons and'twelve others Interested in the work of the club attended the meeting. Mrs. E. M. Knox Gilmer, the president, presided.

When the club was formed some doubted if it would be able to carry ' on, the report stated, but the three years since its formation had proved that it was filling a great need. The blind persons were not expected to contribute to its finances and revenue had been secured by sub-letting the club premises, art unions, card tournaments, grants, arid donations. The club had now a good balance, £30 having been received from the T G Macarthy Trust Fund, £16 from 'two concerts organised by the Aeolian Choir, £78 6s from an art union, £10 from the New Zealand Institutefor the Blind, and the Red Cross Society, and £80 from'parties organised during the year. " OUTINGS EMOTED. Social functions-arranged during the year included afternoon teas, a Christmas luncheon, two birthday parties for elderly members, a welcome to the president, and a picnic at Wainui-o-mata, land all were successful and proved enjoyable outings for members. The talking book and ordinary book reading were continued every week, two ladies attending regularly to read to club members,

Discussing the report, Mr. J. Spence (a vice-president) said that while the club was getting a considerable amount of revenue from sub-letting the rooms the committee must always give first preference to the requirements of blind members. The rooms were for the use of members and as the finances were now quite satisfactory the primary function of the club must not be overlooked.

Several members referred to the | need for a hostel where blind persons ;now living in rooms could get accommodation and where visitors could be entertained, and Messrs. B. Sutherland (patron of the club) and C. Carnegie were requested to secure information regarding a will which provided for an amount to be held in trust for the erection of a hostel.

The thanks of members were ex- [ pressed to all who had helped to make the social and other functions a success, and the Christmas party was stated to have been the largest function of its kind ever held in Wellington, about 150 blind persons having been present.