CLUB FOR THE BLIND

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 21, 25 July 1939, Page 14

CLUB FOR THE BLIND

THE YEAR'S ACTIVITIES

Mrs. Knox Gilmer, president, presided at the fourth annual meeting of the Wellington Social Club for the Blind. There were 30 members of the club present, and the following were elected to the committee for the coming year:—Mr. C. La Hogue (manager), Mr. D. H. Ridley (secreItary), Mr. M. Tovey (treasurer), Mrs. Wilson-Downes (recording secretary), Mrs. Vrede (hostess), and Mrs. Russell, Miss O'Shea, Mr. Jennens, and Mr. Hayes. It was stated in the annual report that the executive felt the club had justified its inception. Finance, naturally, played an important part in meeting the club's obligations. The executive had no regular income, but had to depend on donations, grants, sub-letting of the club rooms, art unions, etc., for its necessary funds. The art union promoted by the executive committee had been a great success, £94 6s lOd having been received. Thanks were extended to those who had helped with this effort, and also to the trustees of the T. G. Macarthy Trust Fund for making another grant of £30, and to the Red Cross Society, which, coupled with the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, makes a donation of £10 every six months to the club funds. SOCIAL FUNCTIONS. The most successful function held during the year had been the annual Christmas luncheon, continued the re- j port. Guests had included members of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, who were passing through the city on their annual holiday, and the Hon. Peter I Fraser, who gave., a very interesting address. The acting director of the New Zea- j land Institute for the Blind had visit- j ed the club one afternoon and had ] told of the woi-k done at the institute. Members of the Wainui-ofmata Women's Institute had co-operated with the club in making the February picnic outing a great success. The talking book and ordinary bookreading classes had • been held every week with great success, and gratitude was expressed to the ladies who were regular readers. NO MEMBERSHIP FEE. The blind people of Wellington are to be given a membership card and requested to carry it with them when attending any function connected with the club. Any new blind person may have one of these cards if his or her name is nominated by another member and the name given to the executive. Unlike most other clubs, a membership fee is not charged. PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. In conclusion, the report expresses the executive's thanks, to all those who have helped the clvb —readers, donors, helpers, firms, the Press, and 2ZB. "The executive wishes particularly," states the report, "to place on record its thanks to the various theatres for passes which have been granted unhesitatingly to the blind people and their escorts whenever a request was placed before them; to the staff of these theatres -for their courtesy to the blind; to the Wellington City Council for tramway concessions and the courtesy of their employees; the various vaudeville and opera companies who have granted passes; the firms and friends who have done so much to assist the club and lighten the lot of blind people generally; and to the members of the Braille Club and the Red Cross for their co-. operation." ARTS AND CRAFTS LEARNT. Very satisfactory progress was re r ported by the entertainment arid arts and crafts committee. Members, it was stated, meet in the club room every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Bead work had been successfully taught to many \ of the members, and a number of useful and ornamental articles had been made. Under the direction of Mrs. Wilson-Downes, the making of woollen mats has proceeded steadily. Two large mats are being made at present, and one is nearing completion. The attention of the committee had been drawn to the possibility of weaving by Mrs. Knox Gilmer, who, on her return from abroad, had presented to the club two hand-woven tablecloths which had been made by blind people in London. A hand loom had been obtained from Christchurch, but it was j found to be too difficult for blind people to operate. Recently, however, another loom had been tried with greater success.