BLIND SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25343, 26 October 1945, Page 6

BLIND SOLDIERS

THE FIBST TRAINEES,

HOME AT MAUNGAKIEKIE [ The home at Maungakjekie for blinded j ex-servicemen—to be known as the New j Zealand St. Dunstau's—has received its first trainees. It is not yet completed and the men who have so far been admitted are urgent cases. An official opening will be held next month. At present seven men are living-in and four ate attending during the day. 'When the home is in full operation it is expected that about ten men will live-in and 15 will, attend daily. The home', which is under the control of the Blinded Servicemen's Trust, an agent of the Rehabilitation Board, was formerly the clubhouse of the Maunga,kiekin Golf Club. It was extensively altered and converted into a convalescent home for United States troops stationed in the Auckland district, but was never used for that purpose. It was later decided that it would be used for the training of ex-servicemen who had become wholly or partially blind. Ex-servicemen carpentry trainees have been employed making the alterations for the conversion of the building into a home for the blind. Braille-reading rooms, study rooms and rooms for recreation have been provided. Initial training will be given m Braille and touch-tvping and subsequent training will be determined when the ; qualification!! and aptitude or the ""trainees h«i\*B been Ascertained. During ■the training period, the disability pension will be paid, in addition to the allowance for a man's wife and children A training allowance of to os a week will also be received from the trust bv each trainee. Board at ~1 will hp arranged for those whom the hostel can accommodate. Trainees will be given the option of securing private accommodation or living at the hostel if there is a vacancy. . The director of the home is Mr .lames IMav, who lost his sight during the North I African campaign. Formerly an accountl ant. in Wellington. Mr May left New I Zealand as a private in the I'irst Echelon. He later gained a commission land was wounded at Marble Arch, near Tripoli, in December, 1912. As a result lof his wounds he lost his sigh t, Since his return to New Zealand Mr May has taken a keen interest in the rehabilitation of wholly or partially blinded exservicemen.