The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-06-29 00:00:00

THE BLIND OF GREAT BRITAIN.

The Duke of Teck presided at the annual meeting of
the Association, for promoting the General Welfareof
the Blind, which was held in London last Satur-
day, at St. James's Hall. His Serene Highness
was supported by the Archbishop of York, the
Bishop of Carlisle, the Dean of Westminster, the
Earl of Chichester, Mr. Beresford Hope, Ml'.,
and Mr. T. Hughes, M.P. A goodly collection
of the specimens of the work of the blind persons
who have acquired a means of livelihood through the
instrumentality of the association was on view, and
many of them were of such a superior character as not
alone to attract much attention, but to secure pur-
chasers also. Mr. Summers, a blind professor of music,
was in attendance, and performed in a very admirable
and effective style several pieces of music on the piano-
forte. The proceedings having been opened by prayer,
the Duke of Trek said :
My Lords Ladies, and Gentlemen—fl am much gratified in
having been called upon to preside at this meeting, matt-
culnrly because bliniiiess is an affliction for which every body
ought to hive, and I hope we all have, a lively sympathy.
I presume that there is a general desire that the poor
people who are afflicted with blindness should be sup-
plied with all possible means of alleviating their sad con-
dition. (Hear, hear.) I do not think it ia as well known
BB it ought to be that there are as many as 30,000 blind
persons in omooo Britain and Ireland. I am Informed that
1500 of these reside in the nu tropolic Various institu-
tions have been established for the purpose of making the
condition of these 30,000 sadly afflicted people as comfortable
and happy as their serious deprivation will allow them to be.
The society in support ot which we are assembled today Is
one of them. The means adopted by this society to dairy
out the laudable objects for which it was established are, I
think you will admit, very excellent. They are those

,
Employment is given to the blind at their own homes, the
full selling prices being paid for the an idles produced.

- - - -
" Trades are t alght to those uho, from being above the pre-
scribed age, are ineligible for admission to many other in-
stitutions.

" Educational classes are organized, and pensions are granted
to the blind who are unable to earn their own living, 172
persons being now benefited by the society."
These operations make large demands nu the resources of
the association, and the committee are therefore anxious to
reduce the expenditure for management as far as possible,
with which view they seek to purchase permanent premises,
to order that the annual outlay of £295 for rent may be
saved. Having no fonds for this purpose, the committee are
desirous of raising a special sum of £5,000 to enable them
to carry out the object ; and, as the leases of the premises
now occupied by the association will expire in two
years, it Is hoped limit the amount may be obtained
efore the end of that period. 1 am told that there
are as many as 300 lihnd persons applying far help to
the association, and that they cannot be assisted in conse-
quence of a want of funds. I hope you will agree with nie,
ladies and gentlemen, that this Is a very regrettable state of
all des. It is sod to reflect on the fact that these 300 persons
are in the 817118 wretched condition as the many who have
already reaped the advantage of the beneficent influences of
he association, and yet that they has-a to remain in their sail
state for want of pectudary aid. Ido not know, ladies and
gentlemen, that there could be much more admirable objects
then those iii the I urtherano of which this association is en-
gaged. I hope that no woM of commendation from me are
necessary to recommend such objeuts to you. (Loud ap-
plause.)

. .
The Rev. C. B. Reid, secretary to the association,
then read the annual report. It stated tat the total
number of blind men and women now receiving benefits
in various ways from the society amounts to 178, of
whom 35 are supplied with regular work At their own
homes, 36 are instructed and employed at the work-
shops of the association, and 25 are engaged in
selling goods for the society. Pensions, varying from
£5 to £l5 12s. per annum are granted to 17 blind per-
sons who are unable to earn their own living; and
65 men and women, in addition to obtaining occasional
empioyment and pecuniary aid, participate in the
educational and religious advantages conferred
by the association on those connected With it. Of
the total number of men and women climb Ted at their
own homes and at the workshops, eight earn from
to £1 53. per week, 16 from 16s. to kl per week,
13 from 12s. to 153. per week, 16 from 6s. to its, per
week, and 43 from is. to 53. per week. Of the total
number of persons assisted, about 62 were married,
and have more then 80 children dependant on them for

support. Of those employed at their own homes and
at the 'society's workshops, 32 are women, who earn
respectively from 4s. to lOs. per week.. The receipts
during the year have been £7,081 10s. 4d., and the ex-
penditcre £7,680 101. sd. An idea of the extert of
the operatioks f the association may be gleaned from
the fact that its operations extend ortr 20 counties in
En .zland.

Oa the motion of the Archbishop of York, seconded
by Dean Stanley, the report was adopted.
The Bishop of Carlisle moved a special resolution,
pledging the meeting to support the committee in its
efforts to obtain the £5,000 necessary for the erection of
a permanent home for the association.
Air. T. Hughes, Dl.!'., seconded the proposition, and
su2gested that the improvement of the condition of
2,500 or 3,000 blind people of the metropolis would be
much bettsr provided for if the 30 societies in existence
in London suppos, d to be devoted to their welfare
were amalgamated, and if they tecidcd upon unity of
action. _

Mr. Beresfurd Hope proposed, and the Earl of
Chichester seconded, a vote of thanks to the Duke of
Teck for presiding, and the proposition was carried
with acclamation.

The Duke of Teek : My Lords, Ladles, and Gentleme—
I really do not know that I am entitl. d to the very
cordial vote of thanks which you have passed to me. I
sincerely thank you, however, not for your kind vote of
thanks alooe, but for the great indulgence you have shown
towards ma as well. As I have already intimated, I came
here with particular satisfaction on account of the admirable
nature of the institution, and I am well pleased at hating
been able to take a small share in the proceedings of tmday.
I only hope that the meeting may attain its object, and that
the appeal which has been made for Increased means may
meet with that ready response which, I ant happy to say, lit
always to be fotmd among Englishmen.