APPEAL FOR THE BLIND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16734, 16 May 1922, Page 6

APPEAL FOR THE BLIND.

SYMPATHY OF CHURCHES. The claims of tlie Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund for the blind were placed before the Christchurch Council of Christian Congregations at- its meeting last night. The deputation was beaded by the Mayor of Christchurch, Dr Thacker, M.P. The Mayor said he wanted to stress that the ie push ” was not for returned soldiers. It was intended to assist the civilian blind of the Dominion. Tho object was to raise £45,000, and the North Canterbury quota was £7OOO. It was tho duty of the whole of the citizens not afflicted with eternal darkness to give all sympathy and monetary support possible. The City Council were going to head the subscription list with £IOOO. The idea was tliut each year two or three men should be sent Home to St Dune tan’s to be instructed in piano-tuning, bas-ket-making, etc. I>r Thacker urged the great claims of the fund which was intended to relieve in some small* measure those who had been bereft of their sight for all time. On June 2nd, a Blind Day was to be held in the City and he hoped that all tho Churches would join in and assist the movement. Mr H. Holland supplemented the Mayor’s appeal. It was a reproach and stigma on the fair name of the Dominion that in the past its citizens had done so little to alleviate tlie lot of the blind in their midst. Every blind person could lie put in a position where he could be of use—where he could be active and self-supporting. It had been said that the intention was to spend some £50,000 in putting up buildings, but that was not correct at all. Nothing was to be distributed in the way of charity. The money was to go towards the purchase of typewriters, and train teachers who would vie it the homes of the blind and put them through a course of training by which they would make themselves self-supporting citizens- It had been reliably stated that the blind made best masseurs because of their fine touch. Tlie £45,000 when secured would be subsidised by tho Government to bring it up to £IOO,OOO. The Mayor mentioned that there were about 550 blind in the Dominion. Replying to a remark that the charge of the blind should be made part of the educational policy operated in the Dominion, Dr Thacker said ho agreed. Tie said that they should also be given a pension apart from what was being done for them in an educational way as was intended by the Arthur Pearson Fund. The Rev S. Lawry, after the deputation had withdrawn, considered that tho Churches should make special endeavours to assist the fund. It was decided to refer the matter to the ex ecu ti vo of the Council.

APPLICATION TO TRAMWAY BOARD. An appeal for a. donation towards the Blind Fund was received hy the Tramway Board yesterday, and on the motion of Mr J. A. F.lesher, referred to the Works and Traffic Committee.

LYTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. Messrs D. G. Sullivan M.P. and 11. D. Martin waited on the Lyttelton Borough Council last evening and made an appeal on behalf of the Civilian Blind Fund. The Mayor (Mr W. T. Lester) said that the case of the blind made a strong appeal to the council and he felt certain that a contribution would be made.