PEARSON MEMORIAL FUND.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1922, Page 9

PEARSON MEMORIAL FUND.

STEADY PROGRESS AND GOOD RESPONSE. At the fifth, meeting of the New Zealand Committee of the Pearson Fund to aid the blind people of the Dominion, the chairman, Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, M.P., reported that steady upward progress continued, and that the amount of money known to have been collected in various centres was on August 31 £20,207. an increase of £2,710 on the previous month. Temporary and permanent investments were being made as speedily as suitable stock offered. The final constitution of the fund is being drawn up with the trustees of the Jubilee Institute for the blind, and the benefits of the endowment, for the active assistance of the blind, should start being available by the middle of next year.

All the districts which have been so far organised have contributed most generously. the majority giving well beyond their quota and in some cases doubling and trebling it. Masterton ( £812) and Whangarei ( £748) were the principal additions of the month.

Nearly all the districts which have not yet instituted an active campaign have indicated their willingness to do so as soon as it may be convenient for th? chairman to pay an organising visit. The general willingness of everyone to assist has consistently marked the appeal, and the New Zealand committee is most grateful for all that has been given and done.

Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Mr. Charles Rhodes and Mr. John Fleming have been added to the committee, and. the Rev. James Ings has resigned. Preparations are being made for the complete registration of all the blind people in the Dominion, together with the full circumstances of their cases. This is a necessary preliminary to the proper supervision of the blind.