CARE OF THE BLIND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20560, 10 May 1930, Page 12

CARE OF THE BLIND.

VICE-REGAL INTEREST.

FIRST VISIT TO INSTITUTE.

GIFT FROM THE WORKERS.

An intimation that ho intended to continue the interest taken by his VicoRegal predecessors in the Jubilee Institute for the Blind was gi\en by Ihe Governor-General, Lord B'cdisloe, during his first visit to the institution yesterday. In company with Lady Bletlisloe he made a thorough inspection of every department, watching the adult inmates at work and tho children and their school work. Their Excellencies were met on their arrival by tho chairman of trustees, Mr.' A. J. Hutchinson, Mr. N. A. Nathan, chairman of tho ladies' comrnittco, tho director, Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, and Mrs. Mackenzie, tho matron, Miss C. Swanston, and the secretary, J. E. Broadfoot. After the institute band had played tho National Anthem the party proceeded to the workshop, where the blind workers wero making baskets, strawberry and grape chips, doormats, nets and hammocks, wicker chairs and pci ambulators, and other articles of commercial utility. His Excellency talked for some time with a number of blind ex-soldiers and a man who lived 22 years ago near his Gloucestershire estate. The residential quarters were then inspected, after which a visit was paid to tho schoolroom, where children were learning Braille, typewriting and arithmetic.

On adjourning to the assembly hall, Lady Bledisloo was presented by little Miss Avis Bnr.nct with a beautiful basket bouquet and a speech of welcome was made by one of tho boy scholars, Jack Short, who handed His Excellency a iunch hamper made by tho blind workers. Replying to tho welcome extended by Mr. Hutchinson, who referred to tho kindly interest in the institution taken by previous representatives of the King in New Zealand, Lord Blcdisloe said he certainly intended paying another visit, probably at no distant date. If- it were reasonably possible to manage the engagement, ho hoped to accept tho invitation of the trustees to lay tho foundation stone of tho extensions which were to be made to the workshops in the next month or so. Both ho and Her Excellency took very keen interest in the welfare of the blind.

"Thero is probably no other institution for the blind in the British Empire that is more admirably administered and where tho inmates are more comfortably' attended to than here," said His Excellency. "Not only shall we enjoy from time to time purchasing your handiwork, but we will also do our best to induce others to do the same."

Speaking of tho work carried on in tho institute, Lord Blcdisloe said he was very pleased and interested to hear from the lips of one of the blind men that his life had been made infinitely happier since ho had begun to read Braille. That was readily to be believed, for tho reading of good literature opened up new avenues of thought; nor was the best Book that had ever been written to bo forgotten, for after all a man's religion was the foundation of his life.

Tho Vice-Regal visit was brought to a close wjth the singing of the National Anthem and "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows."