BLIND PERSON'S

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 16, 18 July 1940, Page 16

BLIND PERSON'S

BIRTHDAY

THEIR EXCELLENCIES

ATTEND

Their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Galway, attended by Major Stuart French, A.D.C., were, present .at, a happy party given yesterday afternoon by the members of the Blind Social Club at their club rooms,, in. honour.of. Miss E. Biddle, whose eightieth birthday was celebrated. Miss Biddle, who has been blind and deaf for. sixty-four years, was the recipient of many gifts, including one from the Blind Institute, Auckland.

Mrs. Knox Gilmer, president of the Blind Social Club, Mr.. Spence, vicepresident, and Mrs. Spence, received their Excellencies. Lady Galway, who wore a navy blue tailored suit and hat with a brown fox fur, was presented with a sheaf of flowers. Miss Biddle also received a .floral spray. Mrs. Peter Fraser, who wore with her black coat and upturned black hat, beautiful red camellias, was also welcomed.

Others in the official party were Mrs. D. Israel (president), Mrs. J. Boyd (secretary), Mrs. J. Gordon, and Miss R. Van Staveren (members of the Braille club executive), Mrs. Wilson Downes, and Miss Lissington (Red Cross representatives), Mrs. Basham, Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, and also club committee members, who included Mrs. Vrede (hostess), Mr. La Hogue (manager), and Mr. D. Riddley (secretary).

More than 100 members and friends of the club were present, and in introducing their Excellencies to the blind members, Mrs. Knox Gilmer gave a verbal description of Lord and Lady Galway. She also said that the club, which was now five years old, filled a long-felt want in Wellington. The Ipunge, which was always open, was equipped with radio, gramophone, piano, and talking book for the entertainment of the members. Socials were also held there once a month.

Lord Galway congratulated Miss Biddle on her birthday, and addressed the blind people. "Just as you have overcome your darkness, so we will triumph over the pall that has settled over the British Empire," he said, "and the spirit that animates you will help us all towards ultimate victory. The courage and mutual aid practised by the blind people is remarkable, and is the spirit we are fostering iri the Empire today."

Brief addresses were given by Mrs. Israel, Mr. Scrimgeour, and Mr. La Hogue (manager of the club).

At afternoon tea, a birthday cake, made and presented by Mrs. Vrede, was cut by Miss Biddle, assisted by Lord • Galway.