for WELLINGTON BLIND

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 146, 16 March 1939, Page 4

for WELLINGTON BLIND

Guest From Institute At Social Club Afternoon

The Blind Social Club, Wellington, had as a special guest at the monthly afternoon tea yesterday Air. E. J. Broadfoot, acting director of the Blind Institute, Auckland. Other guests were Mrs. E. A. Israel, Mrs. McCracken, Mr. Al. S. Galloway, Dr. J. H. Beaumont, Mr. B. O'Brien and Air. Asquith.

Mrs. Knox Gilmer, who presided, said that the main function of the club was to provide comfort and make life a little happier for those deprived of their sight. The club did not. wish to trespass on any other work being done for the blind, but tried to provide something in the way of personal contacts and social intercourse, which meant so much to these people. The club was always open for the use of members, and social gatherings and entertainment was provided right through the winter months.

A card of membership had now been Issued, which members could present at theatres or other places of entertainment.

Mrs. Gilmer expressed the club's pleasure in having Airs. Israel with them again, and spoke of the time and work she had given to the Braille Club.

In reply, Airs. Israel said bow happy she was to be with them again. “We are all allied in one cause," she said. “All united to bring happiness to the blind."

Air, Galloway paid a tribute to Mr. Broadfoot, saying there was nobody better fitted to Took after the blind. Any requests placed before the Red Cross, he said, were given their earliest attention, and the society did the very best it could to help these people. Air. Brorrdfoot’s talk on the Blind Institute was listened to with close attention by the blind members. He told how the institute took children from as early as six years to teach them braille while their fingers were still supple. He explained the methods of teaching and said that, those who started early, when their lingers were supple and sensitive, often became as quick at reading as any sighted person. The older a person was the more difficult was the task of learning braille, because of the lack of sensitiveness in touch.

The many phases of life at the institute were touched on, showing the opportunities in such a place for training the blind for a place in the normal world.

Music, said Air. Broadfoot, was a very successful subject among , the pupils. - After six months all inmates were given the opportunity to learn the piano, or another instrument. The success of the institute band and orchastra was well known, and singing and piano pupils had made names for themselves.

This year the institute was training two blind children for matriculation, and they already had three bachelors of arts and four masters of arts among their ranks. Home for Blind. Bledisloe House, the new home for the blind, was' described by Mr. Broadfoot as "the best thing yet.” He described it in detail for his blind listeners. “At tlio institute we have now got our members into the happy state of beinjr able to go out confidently, without guides,” lie said. One man even undertook a hiking holiday in the north on his own, with great success. “We are doing our best for the blind of New Zealand,”, continued the speaker, “and the members of the institute all wish you well.” Miss Clarice Brown, a blind member of the club, gave some delightful recitations and a most amusing impersonation sketch witli Mr. Asquilh.

Mrs. AlcCracken and Air. O’Brien gave solos which were received with much applause.