Publications Archive

1930/31 RNIB Annual Report

Summary: RNIB annual report for year ending March 31, 1931

Prefatory Note

This Report has been compiled with the express purpose of arousing or stimulating interest in the welfare of the 55,000 blind people of England and Wales. It is, therefore, something more than an account of a year's activities; it is a full, illustrated narrative of the work of the National Institute for the Blind, written with the past in memory and the future in view, and forming, it is hoped, a picture in outline of a striving, progressive community. Only personal observation Call supply the colours, tones and shades of that picture, and the Institute's Executive Council trust that all readers of the Report will sooner or later inspect for themselves the Institute's work. Special facilities for inspection are provided on Wednesdays - Visitors' Day - at 2.45 and also on Mondays and Fridays at the same time. The blind staff are not at work on Saturday morning.

Certain coloured forms are inserted in the Report for the convenience of those who wish to show their sympathy with the Institute's objects. These are:

1. (Blue.) A bankers' order form by which annual subscriptions can be paid direct through a bank; and on the other side--

2. (Blue.) A simple subscription or donation form

3. (Pink.) A covenanted subscription form (see page 11).

4. (Yellow.) A form of bequest, and a form of codicil to a Will.

A copy of this Report is being sent free of charge to those who have generously supported the Institute in the past. They will render additional service to the Institute if, when they have finished with the Report, they will pass it on to friends whom they think it will be likely to interest. Further copies can be supplied at 1s each, post free.

The National Institute For the Blind: A Brief Sketch of its Growth and Functions

The foundation of the National Institute for the Blind was laid in 1868, when the British and Foreign Blind Association came into being, under the direction of Dr TR Armitage, who, by bringing about the adoption in England of the Braille system of reading and writing, rendered the sightless people of this country inestimable service. The Association became a centre for the supply of embossed books and music, maps and apparatus, and in 1902 was transformed from a semi-private undertaking into an incorporated society.

The work was gradually developed until the erection of new premises became necessary. In 1914, Sir Arthur Pearson succeeded in raising the necessary amount of money, and the present Headquarters were Opened by Their Majesties the King and Queen, the Association being re-named the National Institute for the Blind.

From 1914 to 1920 was a period of intensive growth, when many of the activities described in the following pages were begun or more widely developed, and when the foundations were laid for a truly national policy. The direct furtherance of local work for the blind was considered to be a most important part of the Institute's functions as a national institution, and large sums of money were distributed annually by the Institute as grants to Local Agencies for the Blind.

In 1020, however, the Blind Persons Act was passed and necessitated many changes in existing and contemplated activities. The Act, in addition to granting old-age pensions to the blind at the age of 50 instead of 70, imposed a duty on all County and County Borough Councils to make arrangements for the promotion of the welfare of the blind resident in their respective areas.

The National Institute, and Agencies for the Blind generally, recognised and welcomed the great advance marked in the Blind World by the passing of the Act, and sought to co-operate with County and County Borough Councils in evolving some means by which national and local services could be dovetailed one into the other so as to form a comprehensive scheme for the national welfare of the blind.

Prior to the passing of the Act, the National Institute had accomplished much important work in connection with the relief of the blind poor, and the home teaching of the blind throughout the country. The Schemes of the County and County Borough Councils made under the Act transferred these and similar strictly local services to Local Agencies for the Blind, leaving the Institute free to supplement them when necessary and to extend its activities in other directions, such as the increased publication of embossed books and music, the initiation of new Braille periodicals, the provision of additional homes for blind babies and a national convalescent home, the development of wireless facilities for the blind, and research work in connection with apparatus and employment.

In 1925 the relationship between the National Institute and Local Agencies was strongly reinforced by the re-constitution of the Institute's Council on a more representative basis. To the 19 existing members of the Council were added 17 members representing other national bodies and Local Agencies, and the Scheme for the Unification of Collections (see page 11) was initiated. The financial success of this Scheme was one of the first beneficial results of national co-operation, and in general the re- constitution of the Institute's Council led to the betterment of the relationships between Agencies for the Blind in all parts of the country.

The present year - 1931- has witnessed an even bolder step forward in the same direction.

The Institute's Council has again been re-constituted. It will in future number 62, and be predominantly a representative body directly elected by organisations for and of the blind throughout the country.

This step is singularly opportune, as it should strengthen and consolidate voluntaryism in work for the blind at a time when municipalisation is much ill the foreground. It should be clearly understood by the general public that purely official action cannot produce what their blind fellow citizens need. They do not wish to subsist at the public expense, but claim the fight of being self-reliant and self-supporting men and women.

The services rendered by the National Institute to the blind of this country are described in detail in the following pages. Every one of those services is essential to the welfare of the blind; every one depends for support upon voluntary contributions; and every one fits in with, or supplements, the services rendered by the Local Agencies.

National and Local Agencies for the Blind, State and Local Authorities, are to-day working in unison and concord, and it is hoped that the next decade will not only rival but surpass the past decade in the extent and value of its achievement for the 55,000 blind people of this country.

As a most honourable Corollary to its national work, the Institute has a duty to fulfil towards the blind of the British Empire, and recent developments of Imperial work are related on page 61.

Blindness constitutes a world-wide problem, and to solve it the Institute is working in co-operation with welfare work for the blind in all parts of the world.

Mr EV Lucas, the distinguished author, paid a visit to the Institute during the past year and described, in his " Wanderer's Notebook ", his impressions of " that marvellous building in Great Portland Street." He concluded his account with the following words: "It is stimulating and comforting to reflect that beneath the surface vulgarity, commonness, sensationalism and noisy clamour of modern life, all this quiet work for the blind is going on; and I came away with the thought that if ever a benevolent institution was worth support it is this one."

Report of the Executive Council of the National Institute for the Blind for the Financial Year ended 31st March, 1931

Constancy of Supporters

The year ended March 31st, 1931, has been a time of general industrial depression, but we are thankful to report that, despite this fact, the services rendered during the year by the National Institute for the Blind to the sightless people of this country have been fully maintained.

This is entirely due to the unfailing generosity of the loyal friends who have helped us continuously for years past, and to the enlistment of many new supporters. However hard the times may be, our appeals for the blind always meet with a ready response, and the year under review has been no exception to the rule. To old and new subscribers alike we offer our deepest thanks.

Our deepest thanks are also due to the thousands of people who year in, year out, assist us to carry on our work by indefatigable personal service in connection with the many money-raising activities organised in aid of the Institute.

Gratitude of the Blind

In offering our thanks, we wish it to be understood that we are speaking for the blind themselves. Their gratitude is heartfelt. The assistance afforded them is as gratefully received as it is graciously given, and they axe showing their sense of its value in the best possible way - by helping themselves with courage and industry.

Benefits of Legacies

A source of income which has greatly helped us in overcoming the financial difficulties of the year is the legacy. The total sum bequeathed to the Institute during the period under review amounted to £20,637, and we give below details of each legacy received:

 

£

s.

d.

Allan, Mrs Jessy Constance

9

0

0

Baldock, Miss Lilian Maud

568

5

4

Blundell, James John

1000

0

0

Butler, Mrs Sarah

500

0

0

Burton, Frank Clement

100

0

0

Berry, John William

100

0

0

Bowden, Mrs Emily Jane

5

0

0

Brand, Miss Sarah Caroline

90

0

0

Campbell-Walker, Mrs Constance

150

0

0

Chapman, Robert Henry

250

0

0

Chapman, Miss Mary Ellen

50

0

0

Clarke, Mrs Florence Jane

1,765

3

0

Cockshott, Sidney

898

8

8

Collbran, Mrs Margaret Blair

750

0

0

Carried Forward

6,235

17

0

 

£

s.

d.

Brought Forward

6,235

17

0

Dangerfield, Mrs Lucy Elizebeth

500

0

0

Davies, Miss Margaret Elizebeth

100

0

0

Delamere, Mrs Christina

400

0

0

Duncan, Mrs Malcolm

73

1

5

Evans, Mrs Margaret

100

0

0

Etty, Miss Mary Lucy

32

3

5

Fare, Frederick William

25

0

0

Gordon, Lady Esme

1,475

0

0

Gough, Henry Powell

250

0

0

Gilbertson James

29

15

11

Hammond, Miss Jane

100

0

0

Carried Forward

£9,320

17

9

 

£

s.

d.

Brought Forward

9,320

17

9

Howard, Charlie

359

4

8

Holdron, Harry Thomas

100

0

0

Hutchinson, Mrs Charlotte

75

0

0

Haslop, Mrs AJ

5

0

0

Jones, Mrs Elizebeth

90

0

0

Jackson, Mrs Fanny Radley

1000

0

0

Long, Mrs Mabel Edith

21

5

3

Lyntham, Edward

3,166

5

10

Minet, Miss Annie

50

0

0

Meharry, Mrs Martha Roberta

100

0

0

Murray, Mrs Isabella

120

0

0

Olley, Miss Ethel Violet

100

0

0

Pittard, Ebenezer

10

0

0

Pearson, James Winder

400

0

0

Carried Forward

14,917

13

6

Brought Forward

14,917

13

6

Pearson, Miss Ann

125

0

0

Pickard, Miss

50

0

0

Packham, Mrs Phoebe Elizabeth

50

0

0

Penn, Mrs EG

150

0

0

Rundle, Miss Emma

2,014

2

0

Stephenson, Thomas

86

1

3

Sykes, George Burkinshear

100

0

0

Samuel, Edward

131

15

3

Tennant, John

50

0

0

Thrower, Herbert Samuel

2,597

13

1

Tucker, Miss Louisa Susannah

200

0

0

Western, Mrs Hannah

44

19

6

Williams, James Ralph

120

0

0

 

20,637

4

7

In addition, legacies amounting to £4,542 were bequeathed to the Institute during the year for specific purposes, as detailed below:

De Jong, Miss Constance

4322

4

11

 

£

s.

d.

Location

Bowers, Mrs Madeline

100

0

0

Sunshine House, Southport

Huggett, Henry Edwar Vaux

100

0

0

Sunshine House, East Grnstead

Wilson, William Henry

20

0

11

Sunshine House, Southport

It is surprising how regularly the Institute has benefited, for many years now, from the sympathy which is not terminated by death. There is immortality in human kindness, and today blind people are helped to pass useful and happy lives by people whose lives have ended long ago. In times of financial stress, the very unexpectedness of a legacy adds to its value, and in expressing our gratitude to the benefactors who are no longer with us, we venture to hope that their example will be followed by those who recognise that the work of the Institute is not work for a single generation but has its springs in the past and its fullness in the future.

Gravity of Present Position

The future depends, however, on the present, and although deeply thankful for the help we have received during the past year, we feel it is our duty to emphasise the gravity of the present position. We have successfully weathered rough seas, but we fear that there are rougher seas ahead, and we earnestly beg all our present supporters to continue to help us. It has frequently been remarked that although poverty can be relieved and sickness cured, there is no end to blindness. The blind are always blind, and however much blind people may progress the handicap of sightlessness will always require some form of assistance.

Value of Annual Subscriptions

We have pointed out in previous Reports that one of the most valuable forms of help is the annual subscription, and we hope that everyone who has sent a donation to the Institute during the past year will become an annual subscriber this year. We also hope that all regular subscribers will become subscribers of covenanted subscriptions.

How to Increase Annual Subscriptions without Cost

Apparently it has not yet been fully realised that by signing a Covenant agreeing to pay a subscription for seven years, subscribers can considerably increase the value of their subscriptions to the Institute without additional cost to themselves. Such an agreement enables the Institute to reclaim from the Inland Revenue Authorities the mount already paid in Income Tax by the subscriber on the amount of the subscription. Let us take an example: A subscriber who sends £1 per annum to the Institute has to pay 4s. 6d., as Income Tax on that £1, to the Inland Revenue Authorities. But by signing a seven years' Covenant he enables the Institute to reclaim the Income Tax on his contribution. In other words, the Covenant enables him to give something like twenty-five shillings' worth of benefit to the blind for the £1 which he contributes. This is so obviously to the advantage of both the blind and the subscriber that we hope that all our annual subscribers will sign the covenanted subscription form inserted in this Report (pink form, No. 3). It should be noted that the death of a subscriber automatically terminates the Covenant.

We shall be pleased to send full particulars of covenanted subscriptions to our readers if they will kindly apply for them.

Insurance Policies

A rather novel method of providing a legacy to the Institute is to take out an Insurance Policy in favour of the Institute for a capital sum payable at the death of the donor; in most cases this would have the effect of reducing the donor's liability for Income Tax. Full particulars of the necessary procedure will also be sent on application.

National Council of Social Service

We also again point out the usefulness to subscribers of the National Council of Social Service, 26, Bedford Square, W.C.1, which undertakes to distribute subscriptions to any list of Societies selected by the subscriber and to recover Income Service Tax on the subscriptions given. We venture to hope that present subscribers to the National Council will include the Institute on their list.

More Personal Service Needed

We shall be very grateful to receive further offers of personal service in connection with the organisation of functions and entertainments in aid of the Institute's funds. Many people modestly imagine that the financial results of their own efforts in these directions may be too small to be useful, but we can assure them that this is not so; the smallest sum is welcome, and we ask every one who is willing to help, to get into touch with our Headquarters or with one of our Branch Secretaries, whose names and addresses are given on page 3. The Institute's officials will do all they possibly can to assist every individual effort.

Unification of Collections

Here is no doubt that work for the blind throughout the country has considerably benefited during the past year from the Scheme, approved by the Ministry of Health and adopted by us in 1925, for the Unification of Collections. The Scheme is working satisfactorily, and approximately three-quarters of England and Wales is now covered by agreements eliminating competition in collections:

The agreements are between the National Institute and the National Library for the Blind on the one part and Local Agencies for the Blind on the other part. Collecting agreements have been made with 88 Societies (see list on pages 79-80), including Societies in the Metropolitan area who are parties to the Greater London Fund for the Blind, a central Fund initiated by the Institute in 1920.

Developments During the year

During the year two new areas, Stockport and Preston, have come into the During the Unification Scheme. The agreement with the Bradford Royal Institution for the Year Blind has been terminated, owing to the fact that the municipality has now taken over the responsibility for all services to the blind in the Bradford area, while the incorporation of the Cardiff Institution for the Blind and the Newport and Monmouth- shire Blind Aid Society ha the South Wales and Monmouthshire Counties Association has led to one agreement with the latter Association instead of three separate agreements with the three organisations.

Happy Results of Unification

The British " Wireless for the Blind " Fund.

As an example of the satisfactory working of the Unification Scheme we quote the following extract from a report received from the South-Western Area:

"The happy relationship existing between the National Institute and the County Associations for the Blind of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, together with the Institutions of Exeter and Plymouth, has been well maintained. For nearly three years the South-Western Counties Collecting Committee, comprising representatives from all these agencies, has functioned with growing satisfaction. Regular quarterly meetings axe held promoting a better understanding of the difficulties besetting individual organisations. The financial arrangements give equal pleasure, one Society stating that 'whereas a few years ago they talked in shillings, they now operate with pounds. The Committee is have to the value of cooperative effort, and its members contribute their quota of service to the fund-raising activities.

Warm appreciation of the efforts of the National Institute's Branch Secretary has been expressed and placed on record."

The Year's Allocations and Grants

The allocations and grants made by the Institute during the year ended March 31st. 1931, amounted to £19,803. Of these, tile allocations under percentage agreements to Local Agencies in areas where the Institute collects amounted to a total of £18,485, and are shown in detail in a table appended to this Report (see page 78). The fixed and special grants (indicated in the table by an asterisk) made by tile Institute irrespective of agreements amounted to a total of £1,318.

Amongst the latter, of special interest are the grants made to the Union o5 Counties Associations for the Blind for work relative to the prevention of blindness; to Worcester College for the Blind for tile placement and after-care of boys educated at the College; and to the National Union of the Professional and Industrial Blind to assist in meeting the expenses of a deputation sent by the Union to examine the conditions of blind musicians and pianoforte tuners in France and Germany.

The allocations received by the Institute from Local Agencies in areas where the Local Agencies collect, and from the Greater London Fund, amounted to a total of £13,969.

Allocations made by the Institute to the National Library for the Blind as a party to all collecting agreements amounted to £4,078.

The British “Wireless for the Blind” Fund

The success of the British " Wireless for the Blind" Fund is another example of what unification Call do. This Fund was initiated at Christmas, 1929, with the object of providing every blind person in Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a wireless set. It was estimated that 20,000 blind people were unequipped with wireless sets and had no means o5 obtaining them. To date the sum of £36,500 has been raised and 13,000 sets have been distributed; and by the time this Report is published we hope that every one of the 7,000 blind people who are without sets, as we write these words, will possess or be about to possess them.

The success of the Fund, as we have indicated, is undoubtedly due to the fact that it has been presided over by a Committee, of which Captain Sir Beachcroft Towse, VC, is Chairman, and Captain Ian Fraser, CBE, Vice-Chairman, representing all Societies for the Blind throughout the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

That Committee has appealed for tile necessary funds only to wireless listeners. No widespread appeals have been made except through the microphone. The wireless listener and the wireless trade have subscribed the money, and the general public, except as listeners, have not been pestered by "yet another appeal." Furthermore, the Committee has utilised to the full the services of the Counties Associations and Local Agencies for the Blind in collecting data as to wireless requirements and in distributing tile sets. There has been unification and co-operation all round, and as a result, in less than two years the Fund will have fulfilled its object, not by over- whelming other appeals and by being oblivious of other needs, but by continually bearing in mind those needs and always being considerate of other appeals.

We desire to place on record our deep appreciation of the wholehearted assistance of Agencies for the Blind and the most generous support of the listening public afforded to a Fund which we were instrumental in establishing. Special mention must be made of the invaluable assistance of the President of the Fund, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, whose personal appeal at a dinner, given in the Spring by the Clothworkers' Company, was broadcast throughout the country; of the Right Hon Winston Churchill, whose broadcast appeals on Christmas Day, 1929 and 1930, secured a large proportion of the money; and of the British Broadcasting Corporation, whose officials have devoted so much time and "energy to the Fund.

Embossed Books, Newspapers and Magazines (See Plate I.)

The main object of the founders of the British and Foreign Blind Association, the parent body of the National Institute, was the production of literature and music m Braille, the embossed type which is read by the fingers of the blind. They began in a very small way, but the foundations of a national publishing house for the blind of this country were wisely and surely laid, for to-day the National Institute is the largest publishing house for the blind in the world, and the total number of its embossed publications is rapidly approaching five millions.

The Year’s Braille Production

The number of books and periodicals published during the year by the Institute was as follows:

Bound Volumes, General Literature 27,136

Pamphlets 15,203

Magazines 234,688

Newspapers 345,812

Literature Plates stereotyped (books, magazines and newspapers) 22,636

The output for the year is, on the whole, greater than it has been for many years. Compared with the previous year's figures, the most notable increase is in the number of bound volumes produced 27,136 compared with 17,257. This is mainly due to the installation of the Rotary Press, reported last year.

Success of Rotary Press

The Institute's Rotary Press is the latest type of Braille printing press and can print 16,000 pages per hour as compared with the 3,200 pages per hour of the Institute's other presses. Of recent years, the number and circulation of Braille periodicals have greatly increased, and before the installation of the Rotary Press the printing of periodicals seriously interfered with the printing of books. The Rotary Press, by concentrating on the printing of Braille periodicals with large circulations, has now freed the other presses for the printing of thousands of books for which plates had already been stereotyped with the Braille characters, and to-day our Printing Department is able to meet, without delay, the normal demand for Braille literature of all kinds.

To prevent congestion in future, we have authorised the purchase of another Rotary Press whenever there are signs of undue pressure in the Printing Department.

All kinds of books published

The choice of works to be published in Braille is a difficult task, as the literary tastes of the blind are as varied as those of people with sight. We have always had the great advantage, however, of the advice of the distinguished literary men who serve on our Literature Consultative Committee (see page 2), and of the men and women with a special knowledge of the Blind World who are co-opted on our Publications Sub-Committee (see page 2), and we believe that the following titles, selected from the hundreds of Braille books issued during the year, show that our publications are not confined by the limits established by the personal tastes of a few individuals.

Religious - Boys and Girls Life of Christ, (Paterson-Smyth), What Christ means to Me (Grenfell).

Classics - Discourses of Epictetus.

Educational - The Human Geographies

Belles Lettres - Autobiography of a Super-Tramp (Davies), Saki’s Bowl (Blatchford)

Literary Criticism – Swinburne (Nicholson), Shakespeare Criticism

Humour – The Bab Ballads (Gilbert)

Poetry – Hyperion (Keats)

History – Short History of Western Civilisation (Hattersley)

Natural History – Natural History of Selborne

Translation – Honey Bee (Anatole France)

Classical Fiction – Sylvia’s Lovers (Gaskell), Old Mortality (Scott)

Current Fiction – Limehouse Nights (Burke), Crusade (Byrne), The Return (de la Mare), The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Wilder), The good companions (Priestley), Mr Standfast (Buchan), The arrow of Gold (Conrad), The Forsyte Saga (Galsworthy)

Thrillers - No Other Tiger (Mason), Dope (Sax Rohmer), The Viaduct Murder (Knox).

Books passing through the press include works by the following:

Classic Authors - Robert Herrick, John Milton, John Dryden, Jane Austen, George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, Alexandre Dumas.

Modern Authors - Charles Whibley, Edward Thomas, Stanley Weyman, A Conan Doyle, WJ Locke, Rupert Brooke, Arnold Bennett

Living authors - Stephen Leacoek, Raphael Sabatini, Rudyard Kipling, HG Wells, Eden Phillpotts, Joan Sutherland, AP Herbert.

All authors, publishers and other owners of copyright, invariably grant us permission to issue Braille editions free of all copyright fees.

New Educational Books

We have always considered the production in Braille of the latest educational books as a most important feature of our work. Many new educational works are well in hand, including a series of readers, beginning in uncontracted Braille, gradually introducing the various Braille contractions, and culminating in the fully contracted Braille used in the majority of the Institute's publications.

Large Demand for Braille Editions of the Bible

In our Report for 1928-9 we stated that the new compact edition of the authorised version of the Bible had been completed and that 4,000 separate volumes had been printed and distributed. It is gratifying now to report that since then a further 2,680 volumes have been distributed, bringing the total number of volumes distributed to 6,680. The publication of an edition of the revised version of the Bible in the same format has been begun this year. The final portions of the Bible in Arabic, which has been produced for the British and Foreign Bible Society, have been finished. Nearly 1,200 volumes of this work were produced during the year and many reprints of various portions have been necessary--points of interest, as they prove the value of issuing Braille editions of books in foreign languages and encourage us to continue in a work which is gradually enlightening the ignorance of the thousands of blind people who, in backward nations, are still in a mental darkness infinitely more pitiable than their physical darkness.

Several publications of the Scripture Gift Mission have been produced for that body during the year, and Braille editions of many miscellaneous devotional works are in hand.

In this respect it should be noted that our policy is entirely non-sectarian ; we endeavour to meet the religious needs of the blind irrespective of the Church or Sect to which they belong.

“The Universe Around us”

"The Universe Around Us," by Sir James Jeans, that scientific "best-seller," is being produced in Braille and will be extensively illustrated with embossed diagrams. The making of the necessary drawings for these is a long, costly process, but every effort is being made to expedite publication.

Revision of Braille Instructional Books

The various primers and instructional books in Braille have been in course of Braille revision throughout the year and will shortly be published. They are in accordance Instructional with the revision of the rules of Braille, also made during the year by the Braille Books.

Uniform Type Committee, on which our own Braille experts serve. We have sought to ensure the permanence of this Committee and the continuity of its work by offering our help in all possible ways, such as the provision of secretarial assistance, accommodation for meetings, etc.

When the Braille Primer is published we have agreed to issue inkprint and Braille editions in South African Dutch for the use of the Deaf and Blind Institute, Worcester, Cape Province.

Revised Catalogue of Braille Books

We issue each quarter a Supplementary Catalogue in inkprint containing details of all new literary and musical publications in Braille and Moon types and additions of Braille to the three Students' Libraries--Literature, Music and Massage (see list of catalogues Books on page 20). These details are also printed in Braille in a free monthly Supplement to all our Braille periodicals, and appear every month in our inkprint periodical "The New Beacon." But in view of the great number of new publications we considered that it was necessary to issue a revised edition of the complete Catalogue, not only in letterpress but also in Braille. The work of revision has involved a considerable mount of labour, and to make the Catalogue of real value to the blind reader brief descriptions of each work have been included. We hope that by the time this Report appears in print the new letterpress Catalogue will be available and that the Braille edition of it will be well on the way towards completion. The latter will be an expensive production but we hope to issue it at a merely nominal charge.

In this connection, it is of interest to note that during the year we published for the New York State Library a Braille edition of the complete catalogue of books in British Grade II, Braille contained in that Library.

Embossed Periodicals

The total number of periodicals published in embossed type by the Institute is 20. Of these 11 are issued and published by the Institute, two are published by the Institute in conjunction with other bodies, and seven are published by the Institute for other bodies (see list of periodicals on page 17).

New Periodicals

We have undertaken the publication of two new periodicals during the year: "The Braille Rainbow," a quarterly magazine for the Deaf-Blind, published jointly by the Institute and the National Deaf-Blind Helpers' League; and "The Royal Normal College Old Students' Guild Bulletin," published three times a year for the Guild by the Institute.

Increasing Circulation

It is most satisfactory to report that the circulation of all our own publications has risen during the year and, to judge from the hundreds of appreciative letters received, their value and interest to readers has been steadily maintained. The rapid success of the Braille edition of " Punch" and of "' The Venture," a magazine for blind Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, which has recently been increased in size, has been remarkable, while the "Braille Radio Times" is becoming more and more a necessity to every blind person possessing a wireless set. We have already anthorised an increase in the size of the" Braille Radio Times" so that more detailed programmes can be given and articles of interest to blind listeners included, and we hope that it will not be long before the paper is issued in its new form.

Increasing Demand for Braille

We have also considered the enlargement of the "Braille Mail" or alternatively its issue twice instead of once a week as at present. It has been a surprise to us that the demand for the " Braille Marl" has steadily increased, as we rather feared that the dissemination of news by wireless would gradually reduce the demand for the Braille newspaper in which only a summary of news is possible. There is evidently, however, a big and growing demand for newspapers in Braille, and a large number of people would like to see an independent daily newspaper published in Braille. Many difficulties, however, would have to be overcome to render this possible. For instance, a Braille daffy paper would necessitate constant night work and the employment of a night staff; despatch would have to be made by vans to all parts of the country or by special railway and postal arrangements; and to warrant publication, the circulation would need to be larger than that of any Braille periodical published to-day.

Notwithstanding, or perhaps because of these difficulties, we venture to suggest that the project forms a magnificent opportunity for a philanthropist who is seeking a unique method of benefiting thousands of blind people for years to come.

Appreciations of Periodicals

The following extracts from the letters of appreciation which we have received periodicals from readers of our periodicals illustrate the warmth of the interest of the blind in the efforts which we make to provide them with good literary fare:

"The very best."

It is my good fortune to have at hand a number of periodicals which arrive at my door month by month, but it is simple justice to say that those which are issued from the presses of the National Institute are of the very best not only as to material but as to make-up and expert consideration of the needs of those they seek to serve. There are those equally desirous to serve but evidently less expert both in the choice of material and in the manner of its presentation. Permit me to voice my hearty approval and grateful thanks."

"It gives me my sight."

"Every time I read “Progress” it gives me my sight."

" Deepest thanks."

"I wish to express my deepest thanks for “Channels of Blessing.” I also very much enjoy reading “Punch.””

"Helpful and interesting."

"I enjoy “The Venture” ever so much. Its contents are helpful and interesting."

"Sources of pleasure and delight."

"You are able through the 'Literary Journal' to bring us into contact with many and various kinds of literature, and these are helpful sources of pleasure and delight."

“A tribute to the intelligence and intellect of the blind.”

"I have always admired the high standard of workmanship and contents displayed in your magazines. You are turning out a splendid piece of work and your magazines and books are a tribute to the intelligence and intellect of the blind."

"I am happy though blind to see pictures."

"I should like to tell you how extreme is my enjoyment of “Punch.” Each month as the date of publication approaches I count the days before its probable delivery. The picture descriptions are worthy of the highest praise. With all my heart I thank the good friend who takes such pains in drawing these pictures pleasure to the sightless. I am happy though blind to see pictures. As a provoking and wit-sharpening publication, “Punch” is the best."

" I get a lot of good."

" Old “Progress” is the finest publication yet printed in Braille and I get a lot of good out of the ' Massage Journal."

"Reader of School Magazine - over 70 years !”

"I found a very enthusiastic reader of the “School Magazine” in this town. He is now over 70 years I So enthusiastic was he that I have made a note to secure copies for the School library."

" He has done a great thing for us."

" I have not enquired who originated the suggestion that "Punch" should be put into Braille, but I feel that that person has earned the gratitude of a large section of the blind of England. He has done a great thing for us. Also I cannot help admiring the descriptive skill of the artist who writes the pictures and cartoons. Though well aware of the difficulty of the task, I think it is admirably, sometimes daringly, done."

Title

Date of Publication

Description of Contents

1. Braille (a) Edited and published by the Institute
    

Braille Mail

Friday

The week’s news arranged in sections – home, foreign, sports, etc – and selected “leaders.”

Braille Radio Times

Friday

Resume of all programmes broadcast from the BBC stations with technical and general supplements.

Progress

Monthly, 1st

Popular magazine, general articles, fiction matters of the moment, prize competitions, correspondence, chess, home supplement.

Literary Journal

Monthly, 10th

Literary, scientific, artistic and political review

Braille Musical Magazine

Monthly, 20th

Deals with all matters of interest to blind musicians and tuners

School Magazine

Monthly, 15th

Reading matter for schools. Instructive and amusing. Competitions. Supplement “Comrades” in Grade 1 Braille. No issue in August each year.

Massage Journal

Monthly, 10th

Devoted to professional interests of chartered masseurs and masseuses

Punch

Monthly, 5th

Selections from each weekly issue of “Punch” descriptions of cartoons and pictures

Channels of Blessing

Bi-monthly from Feb

Devotional magazine. Supplement for Sunday School Teachers.

Published by the Institute in conjunction with other Bodies

    

The Braille Rainbow

Quarterly from June

Official Organ of the National Deaf-Blind Helpers’ League

The Venture

Monthly 15th

Notes and articles of interest to Boy Scouts and Girl Guides

c) Published by the Institute for other Bodies

    

Weekly Summary

Wednesday

Short summary of the world’s news

Braille Packet

Monthly, 20th

General articles, chiefly political

The Light Bringer

Quarterly from March

Theosophical magazine

The Seeker

Quarterly from January

Christian Mysticism and Comparative Religion

The Tribune

Monthly, 25th

General and official organ of the National Union of the Professional and Industrial Blind

Royal Normal College Old Students’ Guild Bulletin

Three times a year

  

2. Moon (a) Edited and published by the Institute

    

Moon newspaper

Wednesday

A resume of the world’s news under countries with American supplement. News of the Blind World.

Moon magazine

Monthly, 1st

Short articles, light fiction, humour

b) Published by the Institute for other Bodies

    

The Lutheran Herald

Quarterly

Lutheran devotional magazine

3. Inkprint (Edited and published by the Institute)

    

The New Beacon

Monthly, 15th

Deals with all subjects relative to the welfare of the blind

The production of Braille

Each book is dictated by a sighted reader to a blind stereotyper, who transcribes the words into Braille characters oh metal sheets.

The basis of Braille

The Braille characters are embossed on both sides of each page, the dots on one side falling between the dots on the other side.

When each plate has been proof- read by the blind, as many copies as are desired are, printed from the metal sheets on special presses. The press is such that the paper is inserted between the metal plates.

The Rotary press is used for printing magazines and newspapers with large circulations. The paper passes between two cylinders around which the metal plates are folded.

Books and periodicals

Braille Music is produced in the same way. Periodicals are stitched, by a machine, but books are bound in, paper or cloth covers. The blind also assist in binding. When all the pages of a book or periodical have been printed, the pages are Collected together and collated. The blind assist in this work.

The average novel fills four large volumes of Braille, measuring 14," by 11" by 21/2". In the above photograph, the Braille characters in the two large pages represent, the print enclosed in black lines.

Braille books published by the Institute circulate all over the world. They are sold throughout, the Empire at one-third the cost of production, while the blind in foreign countries are charged cost price' only; Many Braille books and periodicals are presented free to the blind.

Literary Competition for the Blind

To many of our magazines, especially “Progress”, the blind contribute themselves, Competition and at the beginning of this year an announcement was made of a Literary Competition for the Blind. We had decided to run with a view to the encouragement of literary ability amongst the blind. The competitors were divided into two Classes - Class A, adults over 18; Class B, juveniles under 18, and we offered prizes amounting to £45 to the senders in each Class of (1) the best lyric, (2) the best essay, (3) the best review of a book from three selected titles. Mr. Frank Whitaker, Acting Editor of "John O'London's Weekly," kindly consented to act as judge. The competition closed on June 30th. Many entries have been received to date, but we shall reserve our comments on the results until next year's Report.

Publication of Books in Moon Type

The Moon Society, which is a branch of the National Institute, is the only producer of books in Moon type in the world. Moon type is a simple embossed variation of Roman type. It occupies more space than Braille, but it is easily learned by those who lose their sight in old age and who find it difficult to acquire a knowledge of the more intricate Braille system.

The Year's Moon Production

During tile year under review tile production of the Moon Society was as follows :

Bound Volumes (general literature) 6,762

Pamphlets, alphabets, etc 25,156

Magazines 5,030

Newspapers and Supplements 34,759

Pages of type set 9,409

The output of previous years has been maintained.

Need for Increased Orders

We have continued the policy of printing limited editions of new publications, particularly of fiction, which was introduced six years ago in order to effect a saving of 25 per cent in the production cost. It is receiving the steady support of all the libraries for the blind at home, in tile Colonies, and in America. Many of tile libraries are very keen to receive their copies immediately they are published, as readers are always eagerly awaiting new books. The small size of the editions of new publications - averaging less than fifty copies - must be inadequate to supply the demands of the many thousands of English-speaking Moon readers throughout the world, and we earnestly appeal to tile libraries to increase their orders, as by so doing tile high production cost would be reduced, and further concessions in, prices could be allowed.

Recent Publications

The 10th and 11th Series of Moon Limited Editions included the following books:

The House that Whispered (Emery). 5 vols.
The Courtship of Mortice Buckler (Mason). 6 vols.
Vice Versa (Anstey). 7 vols.
The Road to Avalon (Dawson). 6 vols.
Penny Plain (Douglas). 6 vols.
Freckles (Porter). 6 vols.
The Broken Halo (Barclay). 7 vols.
The Hundred Days (Pemberton). 5 vols.
Jane Eyre (Bronte). 12 vols.
Madame Luxuron (Kennedy). 3 vols.
The House of Dreams Come True (Pedler); 7 vols.
Fairy Gold (Mackenzie). 12 vols.
Under the White Cockade (Sutcliffe). 4 vols.
Another Part of the Wood (Mackail). 6 vols.

A number of short stories in small volumes have also been issued.

New Moon instructional books

Special attention has been given during the year to the improvement of Moon Instructional Books. "Moon Made Easy" will be invaluable to those interested in teaching the Moon System. It has been prepared by a very experienced teacher, Miss Hilda Bradfield, the winner of numerous prizes, and is approved by the College of Teachers of the Blind. It will meet a long-felt want among home teachers for a set of lessons. The publication consists of an inkprint leaflet of Suggestions a folded Alphabet Card with contractions, numerals, etc, a small Card, a set of ten separate sheets of Graduated Exercises, and a Wide Line Reader. The set is contained in a stout envelope measuring 12 ins by 9 ins, at the specially reduced price of one shilling per copy to any purchaser the world.

A lesson book in Giant Moon Type, consisting of some of the exercises " Moon Made Easy," and a set of Moon letter blocks, Giant size, characters and numerals, have also been published.

Catalogue of Moon Books

The Moon Catalogue contains a large variety of works of biography, devotion, essays, fiction, history, etc. There is an embossed edition of the Moon Catalogue and supplementary lists of additions are distributed with the Moon periodicals, so that readers are able to acquaint themselves at first hand with all the latest titles.

Periodicals in Moon type

The circulations of tile " Moon Magazine" and the "Moon Newspaper" are increasing. News of the Blind World" Supplements are occasionally issued with the newspaper, and we have begun a series of quarterly supplements to the " Moon Magazine' of "Classics Re-told as Short Stories. This series is very popular with readers, who doubtless read many of these books in days gone by. The monthly issue of chapters from Dr. Miller's well-known book entitled " Things to Live For " has been begun. The same author's " Making the Most of Life" has been completed and can be supplied bound in volumes.

The " Lutheran Herald for the Blind" (quarterly) is published for the Board of Missions for the Deaf and Blind of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States. The Editor, the Rev. O. C. Schroeder, who takes a keen interest in the dissemination of Moon literature generally, kindly supplies many Moon readers in the British Isles with free copies of the paper, and is always most happy to receive fresh applications.

Discounts Allowed on Embossed Books

All Braille and Moon books published by the Institute are sold to the blind of the British Empire at one-third the actual cost of production. In other words, a volume costing 6s. to produce is sold at 2s. The discounts allowed to individuals are also allowed to Libraries for the Blind throughout the British Empire. The blind in foreign countries are charged cost price only. Many books are distributed free of charge, and all books are sent post free to residents in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Some idea of the amount of literature which can be given to a blind reader by a friend for the modest sum of £1 can be gathered from the following typical selection:

 

Cost Price

Purchase

Utopia (Sir Thomas More)

18

6

The Blind in Industry (Purse)

9

3

Pelleas and Melisande (Maeterlinck)

5/6

1/10

The Parson’s Pigs (Bingley)

1/3

5d

The Progress of Science (Huxley)

6

2

Wireless Telegraph (Fortescue)

9/9

3/3

The Greatest Thing in the world (Drummond)

2/9

11d

The Life of Dr T R Armitage (Hirst)

2

8d

Poems of the Great War

1/3

5d

First steps in Chess

1/3

5d

Handbook on Whist

2

8d

Esperanto Grammer

1/3

5d

 

£3 for

£1

Students Library and manuscript braille books (See Plate II.)

The higher education of the blind is one of the most important features of the Institute s work, and for many years we have devoted sums of money to the payment of special education and training fees. We soon realised, however, that blind students did not simply need money; of equal importance was their need for books in Braille, for without them their studies were seriously handicapped. Indeed, at the present time it is difficult to imagine that there ever was a time when students, studying from books, had to rely solely on the Services of a reader. There are now about 7,000 volumes in our Students' Library, and in some cases a blind student may borrow from the Library as many as 200 volumes at a time and retain them for many months. To a large extent, therefore, a blind student may now dispense with the services of a paid reader. He has only to ask for a Braille copy of the special work he requires; if it is in the Library, it is lent to him ; if it is not, a Braille transcription is at once put in hand, and despatched to him as soon as it is ready. In this way our Students' Library has been formed.

The Year’s Production of MS Volumes

During the year the production of Braille manuscript volumes by voluntary Braille writers and the circulation of the books to students have both steadily increased. 860 volumes have been produced, as increase of 88 on the previous year. The following list of some of the new volumes gives a good idea of the difficult nature of much of the work undertaken:

Economics of Everyday Life (Penson).
Historical English Grammar (Wright).
History of the English Courts (Carter).
Principles of Mercantile Law (Charlesworth).
Conflict of Laws (Dicey).
Stocks and Shares (Withers).
Charters (Stubbs).
Pro Milone (Cicero).
Letters (Pliny).
Siecle de Louis XIV (Voltaire).
Souvenirs d’ Enfance (Renan).
The Mysterious Universe (Jeans).
Principles of Physiology (1McKendrick).
Confessions of St Augustine.
The Books of the Apocrypha (Oesterley).
Anthropology (Kroeber).
Biology by Discovery (Green and Potter).
Henry VIII (Hackett).
Oxford Book of German Verse.
The Apple-Car (Bernard Shaw).
Blenheim (England Under Queen Anne) (Trevelyan).
Ecclesiastical History (The Venerable Bede).
Shakespeare's England (Raleigh).
Byron (Maurois).
History of Labour (Stone).
History of the Modem Church (Wand).

One of the most difficult sections of the Library is the Law section, as legal works are very large and take many months to transcribe. Sometimes, before the Braille copy is ready, an enactment of Parliament will make the edition being copied out-of-date and a revised edition has to be put in hand; this especially applies to books on the laws concerning real property. Yet this section is perhaps the most widely used in the Library, for not only do blind students require the books for examinations, but qualified blind lawyers borrow them continually in order to keep up-to-date in their profession.

Circulation

During the year 3,059 volumes from the Library were lent to students, compared with 2,868 volumes lent during the previous year. On very rare occasions we have sent books to students in the Colonies and the United States of America, but only when we have known that tile particular books requested were not wanted by our own students. At the moment we do not propose to internationalise the Library, because only one copy of each work is available. We hope, however, that later on, wel1 the new Pyke Duplicator (see page 30) is producing regularly six copies of standard works in Braille, it may be possible to extend the facilities of the Library, in some small degree, to blind students overseas.

We now have on our register the names of nearly 200 volunteers who not only give their services as Braille writers but generally provide the special paper on which the Braille transcriptions are made, and in some cases pay for the binding of the books. Their work consequently involves much expense as well as labour.

Voluntary Writers

Were it not for the help of this devoted band of volunteers, the Library, in its present flourishing state, could not exist. The record number of volumes produced by one writer this year is 36; Mrs. Du Val was responsible for this really wonderful achievement. Mrs. de Vere Brooke came next with 30 volumes, and Mrs. Jackson third, with 26 volumes to her credit. Many other volunteers have transcribed between 10 and 20 volumes.

Mr. H. Malim and Mr AA Kennedy carry on Unceasingly their specialised work of making Braille diagrams, embossed maps; etc., and are kept very busy with the many technical books which have to be transcribed. Miss Ainsworth and Colonel E. T. Wright have given valuable assistance in the revision of the Braille instructional books--an important work completed by the Department during the year.

Training of Braille Writers

During the year, 77 candidates sat for the Institute's proficiency test in Braille, but only 36 were successful. As the books we put into the Library are generally difficult to transcribe into Braille, it is most necessary to maintain a high standard of accuracy.

The training of Braille writers is generously undertaken by Colonel WP Saunders, who has trained practically alt the volunteers attached to the Library. Personal lessons are very kindly given by Colonel W Elliott, CB, who has also trained many people threatened with loss of sight to read with their fingers.

Magazine and newspaper articles required in Braille for the reading-rooms of Schools and Institutions for the Blind provide beginners with the practice required before embarking on a long book.

Voluntary Readers

Volunteers are also engaged in the proof-reading of Braille manuscripts. For many years we have employed six blind proof-readers to check, word for word with the printed copy, the Braille transcriptions sent in by the voluntary writers. Each blind proof-reader requires a sighted reader and originally we employed, as in the Stereotyping Department, a paid staff for this purpose. Owing, however, to the serious reduction in our funds a few years ago, we were obliged to dispense with paid readers and since then volunteers have undertaken the work.

The value of library

We give below some extracts from hundreds of appreciative letters received during the year "A tremendous help."

" I am returning eight volumes of German you sent me. I cannot tell you how glad we have been to have them nor how much we have enjoyed them. The Vocabularies are a tremendous help."

" An immense boon."

" Thank you very much for the four volumes comprising 'The Law of Procedure,” and “All you need for the Bar Final,” which gives a good bird's-eye view of the field of study. I return Gibson's Conveyancing in sixteen Braille vols. ; I am most grateful for the use of these books which have indeed been a great help. Would you be so kind as to lend me the “Life of Reason,” by Santayana, and “Creative Evolution,” by Bergson? Enclosed is a cheque as a small contribution to the Students' Library which is such an immense boon,"

" Your wonderful help."

" I cannot express the great appreciation i feel for your wonderful help in permitting me to use the heel, s. Will it be possible for you to send me Homer's Odyssey, Books 1, 2 and 3?

"Able to secure my BA through you."

"I am returning “Agricola” and “Germelshatlsen.” I am unable to express in words my gratitude to you for your kindness. Next Spring, when I graduate from this University, I shall remember that I have only been able to secure my Bachelor's Degree of Arts through your kind consideration."

"Timely assistance."

" You will be interested to learn that in the recent examination based on Menzies “History of Religion,” which you so kindly loaned me, the standing given was 82 per cent. I do not know that I could have taken this subject without your co-operation, for I had no reader who was competent to read the work. Please accept my sincere thanks for the timely assistance which you gave me."

"Opened up a wonderful field."

"I can never express my gratitude sufficiently to the Library, for it has opened up such a wonderful field of reading and thought to me."

Braille copies of examination papers

The preparation of Braille copies of examination papers for the various Universities and Colleges continues to be an important feature of the Department's work. For Examination one examination alone, 69 sheets of Braille were transcribed, of which 54 sheets were in foreign languages. The following letter received from the Secretary of one College "proves the value of the work:

" I beg to thank you very sincerely for your promptness in sending me the examination papers for --. He found them a very great help ill that he was thereby put on almost the same basis as the other men. Your excellent Institution is doing great service in overcoming the initial handicap of the blind."

Correspondence

Braille copies of private correspondence have also been made by the Department during the year, and at Christmas time many greetings were embossed in Braille on Christmas cards.

Free Postage on Braille Paper

In view of the fact that tile cost of postage on paper used by blind persons for writing in Braille is considerable, we asked the Postmaster General to receive a deputation requesting that concessions should be made as to the postal rates on the special class of paper used exclusively by the blind. The Postmaster General was sympathetic towards the request, but stated that it could not be acceded to without legislation. He promised, however, to consider the whole question carefully, and we are extremely grateful to Commander Southby, M.P., for continuously pressing the matter in Parliament. Meanwhile, as far as the Institute is concerned, we are malting no charge for the carriage or postage of Braille paper to our own customers.

Embossed Music and Blind Musicians (See Plate VI)

Exactly 60 years ago, the British and Foreign Blind Association--now the National Institute--began its labours by the publication of a pamphlet on Braille Music Notation. It is fitting that the Diamond Jubilee of Braille music in this country should be celebrated by some outstanding event, and no event could be of greater importance to blind musicians in every country than the arrangement by which all the principal Braille presses of tile world agreed that from April 1st, 1931, all their Braille music publications should be embossed in accordance with the decisions of the International Congress on Braille Music held at Paris in April, 1929. Henceforward, each of the signs used in Braille music notation will, as in ordinary staff notation, have only one recognised meaning, and Braille music, in whatever country it is produced, be intelligible to blind musicians in every land. One great advantage of this arrangement will be the large increase in the number of musical works available in Braille for study or for recreation. Another advantage will be the stimulation of the spirit of co-operation amongst blind musicians of all nationalities, and in this direction we hope for far-reaching developments.

Publication of Braille Music

The Institute's output of Braille music during the year under review was as follows:

Bound Volumes 1,158

Pamphlets (equivalent to sheet music) 10,730

Music Plates stereotyped 1,364

The figures are, in the aggregate, slightly lower than those of the previous year. This is mainly due to the transfer of music readers from work on new publications to the preparation of books for inclusion in the Music Students' Library. All sections of our Music Catalogue, e.g., Piano, Organ, Vocal and Dance Music, etc., have, however, been added to. The selection of representative pieces has been made after consultation with the many eminent musicians who constitute our Music Consultative Committee (see page 2), and who take such unfailing interest in this branch of our work.

Catalogues of all musical works published in Braille by the Institute are available in inkprint and Braille. All Braille music publications are sold to the blind resident in the British Empire at one quarter of the catalogue price, which represents the actual cost of production, and to the blind in foreign countries at cost price only.

Permission to reproduce musical works ha Braille has been given without exception by publishers, composers and other owners of copyright who, by so doing, have earned the gratitude of every blind musician and lover of music.

Appreciations from Musicians

Appreciation of this branch of the Institute's work is expressed in many letters, from which the following extracts are typical:

"Grateful for the careful selections."

Mr Thomas Marshall, A.R.A.M., L.R.A.M - "I am sending you a programme of my next Concert (Grotrian Hall). I am ending up with the second movement from the Turina Suite that was brallled just in time for me, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you and the NIB, for the careful selections that have been made lately as to the pianoforte works which one wants for Concerts."

"What an achievement”

Mr Claude Aveling, MA, Registrar, Royal College of Music - "Many thanks for the marked copy of your fine Catalogue; what an achievement the latter is!"

" Only means of learning a special piece."

Mr. Samuel Kerry, F.R.C.O., L.R.A.M.: " I found it very difficult to get up Mendelssohn's “Hymn of Praise” which we did at our Church. Had it not been in Braille, I should have been unable to learn it. I should like to see more cantatas brailled, as they are very useful to small choirs."

" A great work."

Mr Fred Turner, Professor of pianoforte Playing, Scottish National Academy of Music, Glasgow - "You are all doing a great work at the NI.B, and I hope that it may go from strength to strength."

A most touching appreciation

A Blind Teacher of the Violin in Cairo, Egypt - " God keeps you for us as the daylight."

Music Students’ Library

This lending Library of musical works in Braille was founded in 1925. It consists of Braille manuscript copies of works which for various reasons cannot be included in a general catalogue of musical works, but which are needed by professional blind musicians and advanced students of music.

Sixty-two works, in 188 large Braille volumes, were added during the year to the Library, which now comprises nearly 300 works. They have been prepared by the skilled blind transcribers employed by the Institute, with the assistance of 13 voluntary readers with sight, who devote their time and musical knowledge to a difficult and exacting task. Their only reward--and it is the only one they seek--is the knowledge that their labours are enabling blind musicians and students all over the country to have direct access to works which are essential to the development of musical knowledge and practice.

Competition for Young Blind Composers.

To encourage young blind composers, a prize competition was organised last year for the best musical compositions received from blind music students under 20 years of age. The successful competitors were Mr John Edward Robinson and Mr. Charles Edwin Yates, both of whom were completing their musical training at the Royal Normal College for the Blind, Upper Norwood. The works submitted by them were highly commended by the adjudicator - the late Mr William Wolstenholme, Mus.Bac., FRCO, the world-famous blind composer.

Blind Organists Bureau

The Bureau for Blind Organists which we established last year is fulfilling a useful purpose. A list of highly qualified men, most of them holding the diplomas of the Royal College of Organists, can now be inspected by clergy and others, who are asked to bear the blind organist in mind when seeking to fill vacancies. The Secretary of the Bureau will, free of charge, make every endeavour to find competent and suitable candidates. Recommendations are made solely on merit, just as though each person nominated were a person with sight. There are over 150 blind organists holding Church appointments in this country, many not merely with success but with distinction.

We also have a list of thoroughly reliable qualified blind pianoforte tuners. Many orders for tuning have been received during the year. Contracts can be arranged if desired.

Musical Competition Festivals and the Blind

A successful effort has been made during the past year to link up more closely the blind musicians of the country with the greater Musical Competition Festivals which are now so important a feature of musical activity everywhere. Hitherto it has been extremely difficult for the blind to ascertain what test-pieces in any particular Festival were available in Braille.

A representation made by us to the British Federation of Musical Competition Festivals resulted in the insertion of a special notice in the current Year Book of the Federation suggesting that:

"most Festival Secretaries would probably find it convenient to send a printer's proof-sheet, giving the titles of Test-pieces, to the Secretary of the National Institute's Music Department, requesting that a tick be placed against each item published in Braille " ; and adding--" We commend this matter to the attention of all Festival Secretaries as something which should not only benefit~ the blind, but also add many new and worthy competitors to the list."

The principal Musical Academies and examining bodies have agreed to adopt the same plan in their syllabuses, so that this old and serious disability is rapidly being overcome. Further, an increasing number of the examining bodies are now asking the Institute to make Braille copies of their theoretical examination paper, in order that blind examinees may share the advantage of those with sight of having the actual script before them.

General interests of Blind Musicians and Music Students

In addition to the activities specified above, there are many other ways by which we try to promote the general interest of blind musicians and music students. We publish through Messrs. Ryalls and Jones, Birkenhead, an edition of the Works of British Blind Composers in staff notation; we endeavour to procure engagements for talented blind vocalists and instrumentalists; we allow blind candidates for the examinations of the Royal College of Organists free practice on the Institute's organ, a replica of that at the Royal College; Mr HV Spanner, Mus Bac, FRCO, LRAM, continues to give half-yearly recitals of pieces drawn exclusively from the current syllabus of the Royal College, thus providing blind candidates with an actual demonstration of the capabilities of a skilled blind organist; and we have prepared a register of blind musicians and organists to whom we are ready, if the need is manifest, to lend pieces of Braille music required for professional purposes. Blind instrumentalists and singers are engaged as often as possible for the Concerts and Recitals organised by the Institute.

Concerts and Recitals

During the year, 52 Recitals, Concerts and Lectures were given. These provided 43 engagements for blind artistes, while pieces by 10 blind composers, independently of those drawn upon for Concerts, found a place on Organ Recital programmes.

The Lectures included addresses at Rotary Club luncheons in different parts of the country. Members of the Clubs were much interested to hear how blind musicians overcome their handicaps; as hitherto, the nature of these difficulties had been very imperfectly understood.

The monthly Concerts in the Armitage Hall, held from October to April, have provided opportunities for five blind pianists to contribute solos. One, in addition, acted as accompanist to a well-known singer.

Provision of Apparatus and Technical Research (See Plate III.)

Our Sub-Committee on Technical Research has been very active during the year, not only in the examination and remodelling of existing apparatus and in the investigation of new ideas and inventions, but also in the formation of a Museum of "Blindiana."

A Museum of “Blindiana”

Our object in establishing the first permanent Museum of " Blindiana" in this country at the Institute's Headquarters was to provide a means by which investigators: “Blindiana” from all parts of this country and from other countries could obtain a thorough knowledge of the evolution of technical and scientific means of overcoming the handicap of blindness. A great number of the exhibits are from a collection made throughout its existence by the Institute itself, but this has been supplemented by many rare examples of embossed books and pieces of apparatus lent or given by Societies for the Blind and individuals in all parts of the world.

The museum was officially opened by the Right Hon. Lord Blanesburgh, Chairman of the Ministry of Health s Advisory Committee on the Welfare of the Blind. It is our intention to keep it up to date for the use of our Technical Research Sub-Committee, which is continually examining new inventions and pursuing new lines of research, and for the use of those members of the general public who are ready to be interested in the technical means devised from time to time to overcome blindness. We hope that, in one direction, the Museum will stimulate the imagination of inventors, and in another, induce the blind themselves by its proximity to acquire " the museum habit," and visit the great national and local collections.

Encouraging the Museum Habit

With the latter object in view, we invited Mr. JA Charlton Deas, MA, Curator the Museum of Sunderland Museum and Art Galleries, to speak on "The making of museums”, more available to the blind," in the Institute's Armitage Hall during November, When the exhibits were first displayed. His lecture was attended by many blind people and by a large number of educationists and representatives of museum authorities, and aroused wide interest. As a result, several museum authorities have offered to conduct parties of blind people through their museums, to explain the exhibits to them, and to allow them to feel the outlines of the exhibits with their hands.

Improved Braille Apparatus

Special consideration has been given during the year to Braille writing machines and the machines used for taking down shorthand notes in Braille. A new model of the Braille Writing Machine is now being constructed and we hope that it will be in every way an improvement on the existing machine. In that machine, the Braille dots are impressed on the paper by a downward movement which necessitates writing from right to left on the reverse side of the paper; whereas, in the new model, the dots are impressed by an upward movement enabling the operator to write Braille exactly as though he were writing ordinary script on the surface of a piece of paper. This arrangement has the additional advantage of permitting the writer to refer to what he has written without having to turn over the paper. A back spacer, as on a typewriter, is also provided, and the machine is constructed in metal throughout. The Braille Shorthand Writing Machine has also undergone considerable changes, and machines to an approved design are now under construction. A lighter and cheaper case for the machine is also being made. This, no doubt, will be much appreciated by blind shorthand-typists who have to carry their machines about with them for taking down shorthand notes at meetings, etc. Improvements have been effected in the design and construction of the guides used when writing Braille with a stylus.

No efforts have been spared to perfect the many pieces of apparatus which are used in the education of the blind and to invent or discover new devices to mitigate the handicap of the blind student.

Arithmetic and algebra are taught to the blind by means of metal flames, punctured with star-shaped holes with eight angles, in which pieces of double-ended metal type are inserted. The different positions of the type indicate the different figures and mathematical signs. As complaints were received that students' hands became abnormally dirty because of the rubbing of the type metal against the fingers, experiments were made with a harder metal. Supplies of this new type will soon be available, and we believe that, in future, mathematics will provide students with little or no excuse for soiled fingers!

For some time past specially designed thermometers, marked in Braille characters, for taking room temperatures, have been available, but recently enquiries have been made for thermometers to take the temperatures of liquids. These are mainly required by blind masseurs who ill the course of their work frequently heat liquids to definite temperatures. Considerable difficulty was experienced in designing the instrument, but a suitable design has now been produced and from test results it appears that it will prove successful.

A new type of geometry mat has been invented, whereby the student call draw and feel the lines on the upper surface of a piece of paper without having to reverse the paper between the processes. We believe that this mat will be in great demand in Schools for the Blind, as it is cheap, and easy to manipulate.

Two new games

Two new games have been added to the many games which we have adapted for the use of the blind. The new games are "Dekko" and "Clocko." "Dekko " is a modified form of draughts. The pieces are cut to the shape of triangles, squares and circles, and the game is played on a chess board with sunken squares. Clocko is a game resembling "Snakes and Ladders," except that the board is in the form of a clock and that moves are made by turning the clock hands to the number, the numbers varying according to the throw of dice. The board consists of two clock faces, so that the game may be played by two persons.

Improvements have been made in the design of dominoes and chess-boards. Sighted people when playing dominoes with blind people found that the all-black design of the embossed dominoes strained the eyes. The new dominoes have a black base with red embossed pips. The new chess board is a solid board with alternate raised and sunken squares, provision being made for pieces not in use; it is considered a great improvement on the old model.

The Blind Man’s Atlas

Several new maps have been added during the year to our series of embossed maps which, when completed, will give the blind a complete Atlas of the World. Two maps are given of each country, one shewing the physical features, the other the towns and political divisions. Both maps are accompanied by a guide in Braille forming a kind of “running commentary" on the progress of a blind man's finger around the coasts, up the rivers, over mountains, and across country. There has been some delay ill the preparation of maps due to the death of Mr AW Boyle (see page 65), but we hope that the work will proceed normally at an early date.

Increasing Demand for Apparatus

The demand for appliances and apparatus continues to increase, especially the demand for Braille writing machines, 390 being supplied during the year.

The orders received are not merely for appliances listed in our Catalogue. For instance, we were asked to supply a second-hand bicycle exerciser and went so far as to secure an option on a machine, but unfortunately it did not exactly suit the taste of our correspondent. Such all order we can try to execute, but to fulfil requests for "Braille knives and forks " or " Braille scissors for cutting nails " is beyond our powers.

We introduced during the year a concession on postage which has been much appreciated. We now pay for the postage on all appliances supplied to customers ill Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Several Shipping Companies continue to convey goods to Institutions for the Blind within the Empire either freight free or at one half the usual rates.

Exhibits of apparatus and embossed books have been sent to Exhibitions, Conferences and Sales of Work in various parts of the country.

The New "Pyke" Duplicator

Last year we reported that the new model of the Braille Duplicator was nearing completion and gave a full description of its mechanism. This year we are pleased to be able to announce that the constructi6n of the Duplicator has been finished, that the machine has successfully passed all tests, and that it is now being set up for use. Some idea of the nature and value of this achievement can be obtained when it is realised that every country throughout the world has been searching for many years for some means of producing a limited edition of a Braille book from paper master sheets, thereby eliminating the need for metal plates. We believe that all interested in Braille production will join us in offering the heartiest congratulations to the members of our Technical Research Sub-Committee and to Mr EJ Pyke, M.A., the Institute's Technical Officer and inventor of the machine, on the successful termination of a long and difficult task. Tile machine has taken two years to build in tile Institute's workshop and does very great credit to tile skill and patience of the engineer in charge. We are unable at the moment to state its potential output, but we have every reason to hope that it will come up to expectations. It should be clearly understood that the machine will not take the place of a stereo-typing machine nor be used in the publication of new books; it will be solely used for the reproduction of certain works in our Students' Library for which the demand is so large that it cannot be met by one manuscript copy alone." It will reinforce our Manuscript Department not our Publication Department.

Employment and Employment Research (See Plate IV)

In carrying on our work for the blind of this country we have always employed as many blind people as possible. The number of our blind employees is now 114, and last year the sum of £13,073 was paid to them in salaries and wages, etc. They are engaged in many different capacities, from the direction of Departments and Sections to stereotyping, canvassing, telephony, and secretarial work. Apart from employing the blind ourselves, two important features of our work are research into all types of employment for the blind, with a view to developing existing and creating new employments, and the placement of blind men and women in occupations which we have found to be suitable for them. In carrying out these duties, we have the invaluable assistance of the many eminent business and industrial experts who serve on our Placement and General Research Sub-Committee (see page 2) and on our Appointments Board (see page 3).

During the year- research work connected with the employment of the blind has been undertaken into (a) trades at present carried on in Workshops for the Blind, (b) the determination of the most suitable proportion between the number of blind and of sighted workers in Workshops for the Blind, and (c) the education of the blind.

Investigation of Workshop Conditions

Last year we reported that the National Institute of Industrial Psychology had been engaged to examine into the conditions prevailing in Workshops for the Blind. Throughout the year under review the principal workshops in England and Scotland have been visited by investigators, collecting and analysing data relative to (1) suitability of the blind for particular trades; (g) the general lay-out of workshops, including the position of tools and equipment, the allocation of space to each worker, ventilation and lighting; (3) processes employed, covering sub-division of labour, the lay-out of raw material, and mechanical devices to assist the blind in their special work; (4) supervision; (5) finishing; (6) welfare; (7) canteens.

These headings suffice to shew that the task of the investigators, which is now almost completed, has been laborious and thorough. Their findings will be given in a bulletin, now being prepared, which will deal with the investigation as a whole.

Ratio of Blind to Sighted in Workshops.

In every Workshop for the Blind there is a certain ratio between the numbers of blind workers and sighted workers employed, which, when established, will enable the workshop to employ the maximum number of blind persons and to produce a maximum output of maximum quality. To ascertain the principles which govern the establishment of the correct ratio, a questionnaire was sent, at our request, by the Association of Workshops for the Blind to its members. The resultant data are now being considered and a report will shortly be available.

Investigation of Educational Methods

During the year we came to the conclusion that the present time, when every aspect of education is under close and continuous investigation, is ripe for a complete survey of the whole field of the education of the blind. As the solution of all the main problems affecting the employment of the blind have their roots in the educational methods adopted during the early stages of blind life, we considered that the most useful research work to follow the investigation of workshop conditions would be the investigation on similar lines of the conditions attending the education of the blind.

Accordingly, in conjunction with the College of Teachers of the Blind, we have formed a joint Committee, composed of members of the College and members of our Education and Research Committee, to undertake a research survey of blind education. The Board of Education and the Ministry of Health will be represented on this Committee. The investigation will cover all educational work, but particularly affecting employment questions will be the investigation of manual training, vocational training, and instruction ill commercial methods, while matters of more indirect though equal importance, such as the association of the blind with the sighted during the period of education, will also receive attention. We hope that by this time next year a mass of information will have been collected from which valuable suggestions as to the adaptation of educational methods to employment requirements may be made and put into practice.

Placement of the Blind in General Industries.

Industrial conditions have certainly not been advantageous to our endeavours to place blind workers in factories employing sighted labour. Most of the placements effected during the previous year have, however, been retained and several new posts have been obtained. This is fairly satisfactory progress, in view of the fact that most firms, during the year under review, were concentrating on decreasing their staff and were unable even to consider the engagement of fresh hands. Improvement in trade conditions will at once provide us with further opportunities for assisting the blind to earn an economic wage by placing them ill thriving industries.

Placement of Blind Shorthand-Typists.

A considerable advance has been made in the placement of blind shorthand- typists. A definite number of girls are sent from the Royal Normal College for the Blind, Upper Nolavood, which undertakes the training of shorthand-typists, to the Institute, where we provide them with further instruction in office routine. When we are satisfied that a girl is fully competent we try to find her regular employment in Government offices and firms with sighted employees. During the year, shorthand-typists were placed with HM Office of Works, Messrs Freemans, the General Electric Co, and Messrs Wells and Co.

An Experiment with Kiosks

The great success in the United States Of America and in Canada of the placement of blind people as salesmen of newspapers, confectionery, tobacco and stationery, in kiosks or concession stands established in streets, hospitals and large office buildings, induced us to consider the possibilities of similar experiments ill this country. Accordingly, we gladly availed ourselves of the generosity of the Aldwych House Estates Co., Ltd., when they presented us with a kiosk in the entrance hall of their building, and we placed a blind man in charge. Up to date, the experiment has been entirely successful. The stallholder has proved to be quite suitable for his job. He has laid the foundations of a sound business, and with the assistance of the customers who so kindly support him, he is sowing the seeds of what may prove to be a congenial and remunerative occupation for many blind people.

It should be clearly understood that the management of a kiosk does not come under that class of occupation which, known as "a little business," offers so simple a solution to placement problems, but which so often ends in bitter disappointment and bankruptcy. "It is not an isolated individual business prospector but an agency for the blind, such as the Institute, who selects the sites, carefully chooses the salesman, retains the ownership, and controls the administration. The two first points require the most careful consideration, particularly the choice of the right type of man, as salesmanship demands enterprise, intelligence, adaptability, and some education. As we are anxious to extend the scheme, we have decided to adopt a standard design for the kiosks which may come under our management. Mr. Oliver P. Bernard, L.R.I.B.A., the well-known architect decorator, has very kindly given his services in this connection, and has produced a design which is striking from the point of view of the public, and practical from the point of view of the blind salesman. We hope that the scheme will develop widely during the coming year and that the public will support, whenever they see them, the " NIB" kiosks.

An Appeal for Kiosk Sites.

We wish to emphasise the fact that the cost of running a kiosk successfully is considerable. In the first place, the man placed in charge must be able to hold his own with competitors and must adopt all the latest methods and devices for stimulating trade; secondly, construction, decoration, upkeep, and the rental of a site are all heavy items of expenditure. We should be deeply grateful, therefore, for the presentation of suitable sites, and we very much need the active interest of those concerned in the management or letting of hotels, large blocks of offices, factories, etc.

Employment of Blind Teachers

Last summer the Education Committee of the London County Council recommended that no more blind teachers should be employed by its Schools for the Blind, and the recommendation was adopted by the Council. This surprising decision was very strongly criticised by those most intimately acquainted with the education of the blind, and we expressed our opinion that this decision, which was taken without consultation with any official bodies concerned in the education of the blind, was disastrous, and advised action with a view to the reversal of the decision. A deputation representing the Institute, the London Teachers' Association (the London Branch of the National Union of Teachers), the College of Teachers of the Blind, and the National Union of the Professional and Industrial Blind, waited on the Teaching Staff Sub-Committee of the LCC, and put forward a very powerful case.

It advocated the judicious employment of fully qualified blind teachers side by side with sighted teachers--in fact, the continuance of the present system which has produced excellent results--and emphasised the following points: that blind teachers have an excellent record behind them of securing academic distinctions for their pupils; that blind teachers have-a more intimate knowledge than sighted teachers can possibly have of the special difficulties of blind pupils; and that constant contact with successful blind teachers gives blind pupils invaluable and otherwise unobtainable encouragement.

The decision of the London County Council has not yet been communicated.

Personal Services to the Blind (See Plate V)

The National Institute renders, in co-operation with the responsible Local Authorities and Agencies, and in accordance with the regulations issued by the Ministry of Health and designed to eliminate overlapping, certain personal services to the blind which are grouped together in one Department.

Hundreds of letters are received each year by this Department, testifying to the value of its work--work which is the more appreciated because the assistance which it affords comes in times of urgent need.

Grants for training and education

The grants made by Local Authorities to cover professional training and education cannot, in all cases, supply the special requirements of individuals whose circumstances and abilities warrant further training and education. Such cases are therefore helped by voluntary Institutions, and during the year we expended the sum of £934 on extra fees for training and higher education.

Grants and gifts for relief

Similarly, we co-operate gladly with local organisations in assisting to meet the requirements of certain relief cases which do not come within the category of unemployables. During the year we expended the sum of £3,665 on this form of personal service, while the sum of £118 was provided from the Bailey Bequest for the purpose of assisting those persons who are suffering from some physical disability in addition to blindness.

Help of Gardener’s Trust

In connection with these individual cases, which, if assisted at all, must be substantially assisted, we have to express our gratitude to Gardner's Trust for the Blind for its customary whole-hearted and generous co-operation. With the Trust's assistance, we have been able to start, or re-start in life, a number of blind people who, otherwise, would have had to depend on a weekly grant for subsistence.

Christmas Parcels

Another form of personal service to the needy blind undertaken by the Institute is the distribution of parcels of groceries, etc, at Christmas. Particularly notable in this connection is the distribution of Christmas parcels to the blind in the South- Western Counties. This is made in conjunction with the Local Agencies for the Blind, and last Christmas the eleventh consecutive annual distribution took place, when 660 well-filled hampers were sent to the poorest blind people resident in these counties.

Fund for Blind Ex-Service Men

The blind ex-Service man is cared for and trained by St. Dunstan's. There are certain cases, however, of ex-Service men who have lost their sight since the War. As their blindness was not attributable to, or aggravated by, war service, these men do not receive pensions and are not eligible for training at St. Dunstan's.

To relieve this class of blind ex-Service men we founded some years ago a special Fund. Under the personal direction of our Chairman, Captain Sir Beachcroft Towse, VC, the Fund has been most successful and last year much valuable work was accomplished. A sum of £2,060 was expended, mostly in providing training and maintenance charges and partly in granting regular weekly sums to men who have reached all age when they cannot be expected to embark on new means of earning their living.

Whenever possible our grants are substantial enough to set a man on his feet. For instance, a sum given to improve the letting value of a boarding house kept by a blind man's wife should make the family independent for life. It was an ex-Service man whom we placed in charge of the kiosk described on page 32, and we hope that other ex-Service men may be afforded similar congenial and remunerative employment. Another ex-Service man has been trained as a telephonist and is now employed by the Ministry of Pensions.

New cases have been constantly brought to our notice, especially through the medium of a letter signed by our Chairman and kindly circulated to branches of the British Legion by the Chairman of the South-Eastern, Metropolitan and Home Counties areas of the Legion.

It is extremely probable that in the future there will be several cases of blindness incident to old age amongst men who served in the Great War. As a precautionary measure we have therefore invested a sum to provide relief to such cases immediately it is needed.

The Fund continues to receive the financial support of the Admiralty, the Army Council and the Air Council, and of serving units of His Majesty's Forces, to whom an appeal signed by several distinguished officers is annually addressed.

Holidays for Blind Children

During the year we were able, thanks to the co-operation of the Children's Country Holiday Fund, to send over 100 blind children from the London County Children.

Council Special Schools for the Blind for a holiday. The children had a most enjoyable time, the arrangements being carried out with perfect ease and facility. The success of the Holiday Camp on the Norfolk coast was largely due to Mrs Bergel, a member of the Fund's Committee who generously gave her services.

Bus Passes for the Blind

The Advisory Committee on the Welfare of the Blind, Ministry of Health, was asked by us to take up the matter of providing free passes for blind people on buses, but we regret to report that so far its efforts have not been successful.

Dog Guides for the Blind.

For some time there has been a movement in this country to supply dogs as guides to the blind, and early this year we received a deputation from those interested in the scheme, consisting of Lady Kitty Ritson, Mrs R Bond, Miss ME Crooke, Captain AJ Sington, and Mr. Humphrey, manager for Mrs. Eustis, who controls the Swiss organisation, "L'Oeil qui Volt," which has so successfully trained dogs to act as guides to the blind on the Continent and in America. As~ a result of this conference, we have accepted affiliation of a special Fund for conducting an experiment in this country, and we shall generally give assistance to an experimental school which is to be opened at Wallasey, in charge of technical instructors from" L'Oeil qui Volt."

Dogs suitable for guides are not those of the police type, but those which have the protective instinct strongly developed. They must, as it were, be capable of giving orders rather than of receiving orders. When a dog is a blind man's guide it is the dog and not the man who is in command of the situation. Alsatians being the sheep dogs of the Alsatiall peasantry, four Alsatians and two Scotch collies will accordingly be obtained for the experiment, and each will be educated with its future owner, as man and dog have to go to school together.

Augmentation of Blind Employees’ Wages

Under the heading of " Personal Services " it is convenient to deal with the of Blind endeavours we make to provide for the welfare of our own blind staff. We have frequently expressed our opinion that the wages paid to blind people should be sufficient, not only to establish a decent standard of living, but to compensate in some degree for the handicap of blindness. All our blind employees are paid an economic wage, that is, a wage based purely on the output of work. But owing to the handicap of blindness this wage, in most cases, is insufficient, either under piece-work conditions of employment or hourly rates of payment, to enable blind workers to live in comfort. Accordingly, we make extra allowances, and during the year we expended the sum of £7,580 in augmenting the wages of our blind employees.

Pension Fund.

A further benefit to our blind employees, as well as to those with sight, has arisen during the year. We have established a Pension Fund on the contributory basis, to which the Institute liberally subscribes, special provision being made for older members of the staff for past services. This enables all our employees to look forward to an independent old age, free from financial worry. When the Fund was established, it was left to the discretion of all employees at that time as to whether they contributed to it or not, but in future contribution to the Fired will be a condition of employment.

Works and Office Council.

The regulations governing the Pensions Fund were framed in consultation with our Works and Office Council. This Council, on which all grades of the Institute's staff are represented, was formed two years ago to give all our employees, blind and sighted alike, closer acquaintance with the nature and scope of the Institute's work, and to provide them with an opportunity of expressing their views and exchanging ideas. Apart from the Pensions Scheme, the Council have had under discussion matters such as the Staff Restaurant, Holidays, etc.

Social Welfare of Blind employees

The social welfare of our blind employees has been fostered in many other ways, notably by the establishment of a five-days' working week for blind employees only. This was tried as an experiment during the previous year but the year under review has witnessed its success. Although the workers have two complete days of leisure, output has not been adversely affected. Rather, the tendency, as we expected; has been towards better work and increased output.

Dances, whist drives, outings and similar amusements have frequently been organised with much success during the year. In all these forms of entertainment our blind employees take a keen interest, and an achievement worthy of considerable praise in which they have taken a part has been the successful establishment in London of a Sports Club for the Blind.

Sports Club for the Blind

Last year we reported the initiation of a Sports Club for the Blind, with the object of providing sports and social facilities for the blind of London at the most reasonable rate possible. A small nucleus Committee was formed in July, 1930, and Lieutenant-Colonel FD Henslowe undertook the duties of Honorary Secretary. At the end of March, 1931, a fully representative Committee had been formed and the membership of the Club was as follows Blind 62, Sighted 23, Honorary 33. The annual membership fee is 2s. 6d.

The Club is much indebted to Mr. C. E. Rose who, from the outset, volunteered to act as Rowing and Sculling Coach and has given much time to this work. Practices have been held throughout the year at the Regent's Park Lake, where special facilities have been given by the Boating Superintendent.

The following gifts have been made to the Club: A tub-4 from Worcester College for the Blind ; 12 oars (which by good fortune exactly fit the tub-4) from Eton College Rowing Club; and a Sculling Machine from the Maidenhead Rowing Club which has proved most useful in instructing beginners.

Swimming practices are held during the season at the St. Marylebone Baths, the small first class bath being hired by the Club. Mr C Kedwell has undertaken the duties of swimming coach.

Dancing classes have been held weekly, and were most popular throughout the winter months. A number of dances have been organised by blind members of the Club during the winter in order to raise funds. One evening a week is set aside throughout the year for indoor games such as chess, draughts, cards, etc. Members of this section are hoping to arrange chess matches against other Social Clubs for the Blind. A programme of Rambles is arranged for the summer season.

Sighted volunteers are required, and it is hoped that any friends of the blind living in London who would be Mlling to assist in any of the Club's activities will send in their names to the Honorary Secretary.

The Club colours, which are Oxford blue and cream, were chosen by blind members of the Committee. Enamel Club badges are now available, price 6d each.

Homes for Blind Babies (See Plate IX)

Last year We reported that we had purchased a house at East Grinstead, Sussex, to receive the blind babies who had been temporarily moved to Court Grange, Abbotskerswell, South Devon (see page 50), when the Home at Chorleywood, Harts, was destroyed by fire in 1929. The structural alterations were completed in the Autumn and just before Christmas the babies were removed to the Home at East Grinstead, which was officially opened in the Spring by the Lady Adelaide Colville.

The New Home at East Grinstead

The situation of the new Home is ideal, on the slope of a hill, overlooking the open country in a south-easterly direction. There are wide lawns for the children to play on and where, in the summer months, they can take their kindergarten lessons. The Home itself has been equipped with every modern device for securing hygienic conditions, and the simple decorative schemes adopted in the rooms have the effect of accentuating sunlight and fresh air. The babies are, as it were, enveloped in light, not only in the light of love and experience, but in the actual light of bright colours and spotless cleanliness. The walls are white or orange or lemon yellow; the friezes are picked out in gay tints; the clothes of the babies are lively in hue ; and around them all in the gardens are the flush of bloom and the freshness of the country air, alive with the notes of birds. These may seem strange details to give of a Home for babies who cannot see, but they are essential details, for in the future all men and women who have been blind from birth should be able to look back for constant inspiration to a childhood spent amongst beautiful surroundings, to the years when their characters were moulded in the flagrance and peace of the countryside.

A National Need Met

Needless to say, the principles of suitable environment applied at East Grinstead have only followed those adopted at our two other Sunshine Homes, that at Southport, Lancashire, and that at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and we are happy to report that the three Homes provide accommodation for practically all mentally normal blind babies in England and Wales today.

Specially Observed Cases

There are, unfortunately, many blind babies whom we cannot receive into the. Homes-babies not only blind but mentally defective. It would obviously be unwise to bring up babies such as these unfortunate little mites side by side with babies of normal intelligence. Great care is therefore taken in the examination of all babies for whom application for admission to the Homes is made. There are some babies, however, whose deficient mentality may be improved, if not cured, under careful training in suitable surroundings, and for these cases an Observation Ward has been included in the new Home at East Grinstead.

 

Abbotskerwell now at East Grinstead

Southport

Leamington

Number in Homes on 31st March 1930

29

29

24

Add Admissions during year

12

6

9

 

41

35

33

Less Discharges*

12+

6

7++

Totals on 31st March, 1931

29

29

26

*Transferred to Residential or Day School for the Blind or discharged as unsuitable for further retention--mental and physical disabilities.
+Including one death
++Including two deaths

Satisfactory Health of the Babies

Despite the fact that most of the babies when admitted to the Homes are in a poor and sickly condition, the health of the babies has been very satisfactory during the year. A rosy complexion and firm dimpled limbs have been acquired by many a poor little weakling at the Homes, and eye operations have been generally successful in relieving discomfort. In one case, at Leamington, an operation on a baby born with cataract of both eyes has resulted in giving the child enough sight to distinguish large objects, and we wish that every supporter of the Homes could witness the joyful difference this has made in one child's life nowadays. That alone, we believe, would give them complete satisfaction.

The “Sunshine” Days of Childhood

We could fill our pages with vignettes of infant life at the Homes--each one affording an insight into the souls of these lovable little children, so unhappy in the circumstances of their birth, so happy in the circumstances of their training.

At Leamington, the children planted a row of cauliflowers. They were so interested in the progress of the plants, that only one survived the investigations of many little hands, and one day that one wag cut and carried with great excitement to the kitchen to be cooked. Since then, every time a cauliflower appears for dinner there is a most animated discussion as to when it grew, how it grew, and what it grew into, and on one occasion, when asked to name some of the things we have to thank God for making to grow, they shouted as with one voice "Cauliflowers ! "

A puppy named "Paddy "" was added to tile collection of pet animals. One small girl became lost in thought. And then asked solemnly: " If Paddy cannot sing ' Baa, baa, Black Sheep' now because he is a baby puppy, will he be able to sing it properly when he grows up ? "

The children revel in the gardens. They love watering the flowers, filling their small cans themselves from the tap, carrying them to the beds, and plentifully Watering hands and clothes as well as plants to be sure that the flowers are not left thirsty.

And according to the babies there's nothing so sweet to eat as cress--sown, tended, and eaten all by oneself! As for bulbs, there is a constant progress to and from tile house to see and report how fast they are growing!

How the Babies are trained

Kindergarten methods adopted at the Homes include general training, speech training, Braille reading, counting, handwork, observation, music, dancing, and physical exercises.

The general training includes muscular control, by means of building, threading, modelling, etc; the development of taste, touch, hearing and smell; the encouragement of independence by dressing dolls, making doll's beds, fastening buttons, tidying, etc; and the development of initiative and imagination by free play with other children or alone.

The Braille alphabet is taught with pegs on a board, and every child is taught to speak correctly. It is surprising how well many of these children can speak; i their pronunciation is clear and musical.

Handwork soon seems easy to the busy, searching little fingers, and the children appear to acquire a knowledge of the rhythm and time of music with equal facility. Their powers of observation develop quickly. They are always asking questions and they must have particulars of all that is going on around them in the great unseen world.

The children leave the Homes at the age of five or seven years, when they are transferred to the Elementary Schools for the Blind, where they almost invariably take good places. We consider that all children should be retained in the Homes until the age of six, arid that exceptional cases should be retained, as at present, for another year.

Visit of HRH Princess Beatrice

All supporters of the Homes were much encouraged by the visit to the Head- quarters of the Institute on November 6th, 1930, of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, President of the Homes, who came to receive the proceeds of the Blind Babies Flag Days.

Manuscript Braille Books for Students

Single copies of Braille text-books for students are made with Braille writing machines by voluntary writers in their own homes, while voluntary readers dictate the original work to blind proof- readers, who indicate any necessary corrections.

From the Students Library so formed books are lent gratis, not only to students but to professional blind men and women. The Rev. Canon CE Bolam, the Institute's blind Chief Chaplain, finds the Library of great use in his work.

Appliances and Apparatus

The blind mathematician is able to work out geometrical problems from Braille diagrams on a special board with special compasses, rules, and other mathematical instruments. A rubber mat enables him to draw diagrams on paper and to feel the raised outlines without turning over the sheet.

Science and invention have come to the aid of the blind, and these pictures illustrate some of the many means which have been devised to overcome the handicap of blindness.

Many games have been adapted for the use of the blind. They play their favourite game of chess, in which they excel, with special pieces on a board with alternate raised and sunken squares. One of the most recent games to be adapted for the blind is Corinthian bagatelle; the value of the enclosures and holes is indicated in Braille.

The "Pyke " Duplicator, a recent invention, has solved a problem of great importance--the reproduction of Braille from hand-made Braille sheets. The completed machine is shown with its inventor, Mr EJ Pyke, the institute's Technical Officer.

The Institute's Museum of Blindiana, opened this year, illustrates the evolution of embossed printing, apparatus, and appliances for the blind. This is the first museum of its kind to be opened in this country.

Employment of the Blind

Fully competent blind shorthand typists are employed at the Institute, in Government offices, and in many businesses. They take down dictation in Braille shorthand on a paper tape, from which they transcribe their notes on an ordinary typewriter.

Blind telephonists are widely employed: The picture shows one of the blind telephonists at the Institute, Operating a board of four lines and sixty extensions.

Blind men are being established with success as managers of kiosks in office buildings, selling tobacco, confectionery, stationery, etc.

The Institute employs many blind people in carrying on its work, and secures employment for the blind in various trades and industries. A thorough and extensive survey of all present and possible occupations is now being made.

The employment of the blind in industries generally employing sighted labour is progressing slowly but surely.

The pictures show blind girls engaged in sweet-wrapping, fly-press work .in a toy factory, and in soap-wrapping.

The blind are fully capable of occupying bit executive positions. The photograph shows the Head of the Institute's Services for the Blind Departmental work in his Office.

Leisure Hours of the Blind

Blind men and women "fours" practising on Regent's Park Lake. They are members of the Sports Club for the Blind--colours, Oxford blue and cream.

Reading the Braille magazines and chatting at the Institute's Hostel for Blind Women.

Listening to the wireless programme, with the "Braille Radio Times " for ready reference.

A round of whist. The playing cards used by the blind are marked in Braille at the corners.

The blind love music, and a gramophone with banjo accompaniment provides an excellent open-air promenade concert.

Serious amusement; a knotty point in politics, or perhaps a discussion on the coming football season and the merits of favourite teams.

Tea and talk in a shady, corner of the garden

Braille Music and the Blind Musician

Special musical works required by blind musicians and music students are copied into Braille by hand. The picture shows a blind man writing music with a stylus.

General musical works are produced in the same way as Braille books. Here, the Braille proofs of a piece of music are being checked by a blind reader from dictation, prior to printing.

A blind organist "looking over " a piece of music from the Braille copy in his lap.

By means of the Braille Music Notation System, the simplest melody and the most compli- cated orchestral score can both be transcribed into Braille.

Chorleywood College for Blind Girls (See Plate XI)

Chorleywood College for Girls with Little or No Sight, at Chorleywood, Herts, completed its 10th year last January. At the birthday celebrations, the roll of past and present members of the College was read and all who heard it were able to congratulate the training staff on the fact that so many girls, handicapped with blindness or defective sight, have been launched on happy: and prosperous careers. These successes form the outstanding proof that the College is meeting a real need--a need for the education on Public School lines of blind girls who, otherwise, would have very little chance of developing their intellectual gifts and following useful careers in the progressive society of to-day.

A Year of Steady Progress

The year under review has been one of steady progress. At the top of the School, two girls moved on at the end of the School year--one with a scholarship to Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford; the other to St. Francis College, Sudbury Hill, to follow a course of study in Social Service. The School Certificate has been the immediate aim of the pupils in the main School, but gardening, poultry keeping, the Crafts' Guild and other voluntary enterprises have claimed time and energy. Several matches in Sport X--the game invented specially for the pupils--have been arranged and won, while the netball tennis, for partially-sighted girls only, has reached a good standard. The number of “deep end” swimmers has increased, and the arrangement of swimming competitions with other Schools will soon be possible.

Every February the School gives an entertainment of which every item is original and in which every member of the College takes part. This year's programme included two three-act plays, musical, instrumental, and vocal recitations, and dancing, and provided plenty of evidence that the School does not lack vitality, enterprise and talent.

Wide Interests and Activities of the pupils

A good idea of the wide interests of the pupils and of their increasing activities can be gathered from an editorial note in the last issue of the College Magazine:

" The functions to be recorded include a lecture on the League of Nations at Harrow High School, a visit to the Children's Theatre, an entertainment given by the School on behalf of the Girton Building Fund, attendance at a performance of " The Gondoliers," the Fancy Dress Dance, an entertainment arranged by the School for the workers on the estate, a talk on Coal, home-grown Charades, a recital by a string quartet, and an At Home to friends in the neighbourhood."

At present there are 33 pupils at the College. There is accommodation for 45.

Successful Old Girls

Encouraging reports have reached us from old girls. Four pupils who qualified in teaching last year have been appointed to good posts; the two Froebel students at the Mand Grey Training College have gained good certificates; one old student has passed at the Royal College of Music the ARCM (piano teaching), including harmony and counterpoint; another, in her first year at St. Andrew's University, has passed three subjects towards the Degree; the Chorleywood College girl at Girton has completed her Honours Degree in English, and is now beginning work for the theological Tripos at Cambridge. One girl, who came to the College to save her sight, has completed the certificate of the SSTI, and has been appointed as Staff Nurse at the County Sanatorium. Both the School Teachers' and Home Teachers' Certificates of the College of Teachers of the Blind have been gained by another old student, who has also been awarded the Macgregor prize for the best scheme for teaching Braille and Moon.

These details reflect honour on the pupils and training staff alike. They shew that blindness is no insuperable handicap to academic honours or distinguished careers. Blind men have proved their capabilities in the professions for many years now, but it is only recently that Chorleywood College has been able to illuminate new paths through the darkness for talented blind girls.

Massage School and Settlement of Blind Masseurs. (See Plate VII)

The Institute's School of Massage, Medical Gymnastics and Medical Electricity is the headquarters for the training of blind Massage students of both sexes in Great Britain, and is recognised by the Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics and approved by the Board of Education. The training of blind students in Medical Electricity (comprising the following subjects: Faradism, Galvanism, Sinusoidal Current, Radiant Heat, High Frequency) is also recognized by the Society of Apothecaries, by whom a special diploma has been issued to blind students who successfully qualify in the Electrical examinations.

The Training Staff

In addition to the Principal and assistant teachers attached to the School, there are two visiting lecturers, Surgeon-Commander G. Murray Levick, MRCS, LRCP, who is in charge of the Medical Electricity section, and Mr P Jenner Verrall, FRCS, who lectures on Modern Orthopaedics and gives valuable assistance in connection with the Massage Library. Mr CC Worster-Drought, MD, MRCP, is Honorary Medical Consultant to the School. A special course of instruction ill Educational Gymnastics is included in the training, and this class is taken by a sighted Chartered Masseuse (Chelsea Physical Training College), a member of the Ling Association.

Massage students, during their training, attend at three of the large London hospitals, in order to gain clinical experience on patients under medical supervision-- by courtesy of the Hampstead General Hospital (men), St. George's Hospital (women) and the National Hospital (both sets of students for Electrical work).

The Year’s Results

During the year ended 31st March, 1931:

27 students attended the School
12 students presented themselves for examination in Massage, Medical Gymnastics and Medical Electricity, successfully qualified and duly passed out.
1 student took Post-graduate Course in Medical Electricity and successfully qualified.

Of students who passed out -

9 have started in private practice and opined private clinics of their own. They are all making satisfactory progress.

3 have returned home overseas--one to South Africa, where he has made a markedly successful start; one to Canada, who only arrived recently and has already made a start; and one, who has only just returned to New Zealand, where he hopes to get settled very shortly.

1 settlement at present being handled.

7 students have benefited from the full number of Scholarships awarded by Gardner's Trust for the Blind.

14 students are at present in training, including one South African, two from Scotland and one from Wales; three are former Worcester College boys, and two from the School for the Blind, Craigmillar Park, Edinburgh.

It is of interest to note that an increased number of students from overseas are applying and being accepted for training.

Of the 27 students who attended the Massage School during the past year, 13 have been assisted by Local Education Authorities, four by the Blind ex-Service Men's Fund of the National Institute, and seven by St. Dunstan's.

An Advanced Course of Electro-therapeutics

An interesting experiment is at present being carried out in the School in connection with an advanced course in Electro-Therapeutics. Four totally blind candidates--two from the National Institute and two from St. Dunstan's—were specially selected to undergo this experiment, the results of which will largely determine Therapeutics whether the present syllabus of Medical Electricity shall be augmented to include additional treatments. In connection with this course, several interesting devices have been made by a firm of electrical instrument makers, to enable blind operators to carry out these treatments with ease and efficiency.

Settlement of Blind Masseurs and Masseuses

Signal service is rendered to blind masseurs and masseuses in practice by the Massage Department, which handles the settlement of students at the end of their training. In addition to watching over their interests in every aspect of their and professional work, all possible steps are taken to secure work for them and to bring their names prominently before the medical profession and the public generally. Personal letters are sent out to all the medical men practising in the districts of a newly established blind masseur or masseuse, advertisements are inserted in suitable journals, and every opportunity is taken to arrange for articles describing their work to appear in both medical journals and the lay press.

The purchase of Massage and Electrical appliances and accessories to enable the blind masseur to carry out his professional duties receives ever-increasing care and attention, and arrangements have been effected whereby the purchasing cost is considerably reduced. Close on 1,000 orders were placed on behalf of blind masseurs and masseuses during the past year.

The "Massage Journal" (in Braille) and the Massage Library of Braille text-books, etc. (to which many valuable additions have been made recently), are both available to the blind student after qualifying, and form a valuable link between the Massage Department and post-graduate students.

Association of Certified Blind Masseurs

This Association, which is registered under the Board of Trade and licensed annually by the London County Council as an employment agency, is a professional body which represents and safeguards the interests of blind chartered masseurs and masseuses.

The Association, which is under the presidency of Sir Robert Jones, KBE, CB, FRCS, etc, continues to work in close co-operation with our Massage Department and School, and also with St Dunstan's Massage Advisory Committee; in conjunction with the latter body, the Association has handled several matters during the past year, affecting the interests of both civilian and war-blinded masseurs.

Gratified Students

Below we give extracts from the many letters received during the past year from blind masseurs and masseuses -

" A new lease of life."

" It hardly seems just over three years since I was settled in private practice here by the National Institute. Time passes very quickly when one has interesting work to do, and my practice has shown such rapid strides that I have very little time to think of anything else. It is good to be at work again! I seem to have taken on a new lease of life since I started my Massage training. The clinic is looking splendid and patients often remark on the restful colour scheme. Before closing, I should like to thank the National Institute for all they have done for me, the ACBM for the great assistance I have received from time to time since I have been in practice, and, last but not least, your Department for all the practical advice and cheerful encouragement which you have never failed to give me in time Of need."

" Good friends--such as the Massage Department."

" May you long be spared to carry on the good work on our behalf. The blind have a hard struggle before them to get a footing in the seeing world, far harder than a good many realise, but with a few good friends behind us, such as the Massage Department, we can do far more than we should ever accomplish on our own."

A thank-offering of £100 from a blind masseur.

" For some years I have been saving whatever money I could set aside from my work.... I wish to give £100 as a gift to the National Institute in recognition of the valuable training I received in the Massage School and my subsequent settlement in private practice by the Massage Department. I shall be glad if you will be good enough to take what steps may be necessary to have this amount of £100 specially earmarked for the use of the Massage School and Department, for the purchase of new apparatus for the School or any other purpose which you can suggest for the furtherance of the good work in the Massage world. As an old student I know only too well that every penny will be put to the best advantage in the welfare of the blind students that pass through the School. I know that without the help that has always been given to me in all my difficulties, I could have made half the strides in my profession that I have done. Perhaps you do not know it, but I do, and the hope of every student past and present is that the Massage Department and School will live for ever to guide and steer the destinies the people in the Massage world."

"I am now firmly established."

" I feel I cannot let any longer lapse of time take place without writing to tell you the benefit my removal to larger premises has been to my work. My practice has increased to almost double what it was a year ago, and the conditions under which I now work are practically unequalled. My patients appear very interested in the development of my practice, and have often expressed their admiration for the start which the National Institute gave me. It gives me great pleasure to be able to send you this very cheerful account of my work and success, and to be able to tell you, after all you have done for me, that I feel I am now firmly established."

Homes and Hostels: (See Plates V and VIII.)

The following Homes and Hostels, in addition to the Homes for Blind Babies, are maintained by the Institute.

Home for Blind Women, Brighton.
Home for Blind Women, Clifton, Bristol.
Guest House for Aged Blind Women, Leamington Spa.
Convalescent and Holiday Home, St Leonards-on-Sea.
Hostels for Blind Women, London.

Homes for Blind women

The Homes at Brighton and Clifton have been practically full throughout the year. The women have plenty of interesting occupations, such as knitting, raffia work and basket making, while many are able to read the Braille and Moon periodicals. The wireless programmes are thoroughly appreciated by everyone. Gardening is very popular with some of the younger women. Parties, concerts, outings and other forms of entertainment have been organised during the year, and much pleasure has been afforded by the visits of friends who come regularly to read aloud to the women, to take them for walks, and otherwise amuse them. The proprietors of Cinemas, Theatres and Concert Halls have been very generous in the distribution of free tickets for concerts and shows.

There are 17 women in residence at the Brighton Home, some of whom are over 70 years of age. At the Clifton Home there are 12 women in residence.

The Guest House

During the past year the health of the guests has, on the whole, been good, apart from an epidemic of influenza in the early part of the year. The increasing infirmity of the older guests, coupled with their blindness, gradually takes from them the sense of independence which is so dear to them, but in spite of this they maintain a very cheerful outlook and fully appreciate ally little episode which appeals to their sense of humour--a blessing which never fails them. The younger women are able to enjoy daily walks and various concerts and entertainments, to which they are escorted by local visitors, who are always ready to help ill every possible way. There are a regular number of dally readers and visitors, including some musical friends who are very popular with the guests. One afternoon a week is specially devoted to music, and it is good to hear the voices of these blind women full of spirit as they join in singing the old songs of their youth, and the more modern songs, which they never fail to learn.

Various alterations and redecorations have been made during the year in which the guests have taken a great interest. It is interesting to note how sensitive are the blind to their surroundings and how much they realise the comforts and beauty of home.

The Guest House was formerly at Hoole Bank, Chester, but was removed a few years ago to the more central position at Leamington. Several propositions for the future use of Hoole Bank are being considered.

Seaside Convalescent and Holiday Home

During the year the following were admitted to this Home:

Women 205; Men 226

Of them 124 Convalescents, 268 Holiday guests, 39 Sighted Guests. Total of 431.

The Dickens Fellowship presented this Home to the Institute, and the: spirit which prevails in it would have delighted Dickens himself. One can imagine the pleasure he would take in reading the hundreds of letters received by the Matron from visitors, and their relatives and friends, after visiting the Home, and no description can equal the vivid portrayal of life at the Home which these letters give.

The following extracts are typical -

Most enjoyable holidays.

" I should like to thank you and the rest of the staff for the most enjoyable holiday. I hope I shall see you again next year."
" I thank you all for your great kindness to them. They have had a most enjoyable holiday and look ever so well."
" I do not think it is possible for me to enjoy a holiday like that again."

" The food was splendid."

" Father enjoyed himself immensely, and he said everything, including the food, was splendid. I can assure you that it was one of the jolliest Christmas times I have ever spent, and I hope it shall be repeated another time."

" Thank you ever so much for your many kindnesses."
" Everything was wonderful."
" Thank you and all the staff for all the nice things and the splendid time you gave me.

“Everything was wonderful."

" It has been a lovely time to think about."
" My husband cannot speak too highly of the Home. The change at St. Leonards has been great, for he seems so much happier."

" I can never repay you."

" Please accept our heartfelt thanks for the lovely flowers you so kindly gave to uncle. You were all so kind and yon made him so happy. Everyone would think he had everything in the world to be thankful for. I can never repay you."
" I feel so grateful for the good food, so varied. How I enjoyed every meal, the general comfort and the kindness of you and the staff. The kindliest greetings to you and all the girls."

" That wonderful sense of freedom."

" We could not possibly have felt more at home anywhere. Joe, like the rest of us, felt that wonderful sense of freedom. Isn't that grand?"
"Our doctor is delighted with the improvement in her health. He says it speaks well for your home."

We are tempted to continue these quotations, as they throw so strong a light on the sterling qualities of the blind generally--their patience, their good humour, their keen appreciation of the right kind of kindness, their sincere gratitude. Not the least to be encouraged by these charming letters of thanks will be the many visitors and voluntary helpers at St Leonards, who devote so many hours of their leisure to helping the blind guests. They, we know, will be amply repaid by letters which show how deep is the gratitude for true sympathy, exemplified so many thousands of times in all work for the blind.

Hostels for Blind women

The Hostels for 7 and 12 blind Women respectively at 8 and 9, Oval Road, Gloucester Road, Regent's Park, NWI, have been successfully continued during the year. They provide lodging and breakfast; otherwise the blind women, mostly our own employees or students, keep house for themselves in single or double bed- sitting rooms….

A new home for Retarded Blind children

In 1929, when our Blind Babies Home at Chorleywood was destroyed by fire, the late Rev AT Dence presented to the Institute a house named "Court Grange," at Abbotskerswell, South Devon. The babies occupied this house until the new Home at East Grinstead was ready for them (see page 35). We have now decided to use "Court Grange" as a Home for Retarded Blind Children between the ages of 7 and 16 who are considered to be educable. It will be the first Home of its kind in this country and will meet a long-felt need. It is impossible to expect the individual attention and special experience which such cases require in ordinary Elementary Schools for the Blind. Yet without such attention and experience it is possible that the retarded child may definitely become the mentally deficient adult. The object of the new Home is to reverse the process by transforming the abnormal child into the normal adult.

Structural alterations have been put in hand, and we hope to open the Home next year. It will be available for retarded blind children in all parts of the country, but no cases of certified mental deficiency will be admitted.

The establishment of this Home will, of course, entail heavy expenditure, and we make an earnest appeal for funds to cover the initial cost. We believe this appeal will not be in vain, because the new Home will open vistas of hope before children whose future is now dark with the shadows of complicated sorrows, and whose only chance in life lies in the light that can touch and quicken the source of the inner vision.

The Blind Home Workers' Scheme (See Plate X)

In all parts of the country Blind Home Workers' Schemes are in force. Their object is to assist the many thousands of blind men and women who, obliged for various reasons to work at home, are engaged in various handicrafts, such as mat, brush and basket making, knitting, chair caning, etc. Tools and equipment are provided; raw materials are supplied at cost price; the handwork is supervised by experts and instruction given when needed; orders are Secured and goods are marketed.

The Depot at Reigate

We are responsible for the Home Workers' Scheme operating in the metropolitan district south of the Thames and in the counties of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. It is administered from Reigate, Surrey, where the raw materials are stored and supplied to workers as required, and where the finished articles are received for distribution. From this Depot the supervising visitors proceed each day on their journeys to various parts of the area, and travelling vans begin their tours through the counties; and here every article received from home workers is carefully examined prior to despatch to fulfil an order or for exhibition at bazaars and sales of work. This procedure does not interfere with the marketing of goods by the blind workers themselves. Initiative in obtaining orders personally is always encouraged.

Number and Nature of Workers

The number of home workers in this area is at present 267 and they are engaged in occupations as follows:

Machine Knitting 60
Weaving 2
Hand Knitting 13
Basket Making 45
Chair Seating 24
Mat Making 18
Pianoforte Tuning 79
Wood Chopping 8
Music Teaching 7
Carpentry 2
Boot Repairing 6
Brush Making 3

Workers’ Earnings

The total earnings of home workers during the year amounted to £11,703, representing an increase of £1,596 on the total earnings in the previous year. In addition the County and County Borough Councils, on whose behalf we conduct the Scheme, made grants in augmentation of earnings amounting to a total of £5,453.

The Year’s sales

The total sales of finished goods to the pubic and of materials to home worker amounted to a value in cash of £15,042, representing an increase of £965 over the previous year and establishing a record. The sales of finished goods amounted to £11,512, and the sales of materials to home workers and other blind persons amounted to £3,530. The Institute purchased finished goods to the value of £7,530 from home workers.

Travelling Sales Vans

Our motor sales vans, stocked with every type of goods made by the blind home workers, make periodical tours through the counties, visiting all the towns and the villages, even those in remote districts where their arrival is always welcome. A new motor van was purchased during the year to cover Hampshire.

Exhibitions and Sales Work

Many Exhibitions and Sales of Work have been organised. Their results show a slight falling off from those of the previous year, but this is probably due to the prevailing industrial depression which has reduced the purchasing powers of almost everyone. Renewed efforts to stimulate sales are being made, and we hope that these will receive the sympathetic support of local residents in the districts covered.

Price List of Goods Made

During the year we have issued a Price List Of household and other goods made by the blind, and we shall be pleased to send a free copy to any applicant. The necessity for regular customers is urged in the prefatory note to this Catalogue, and emphasis is laid on the fact that the blind handicraftsmen are kept fitly acquainted with the latest designs and market requirements. The Catalogue contains clear illustrations and full particulars and prices of the various goods offered for sale:

Dog Baskets
Letter Baskets
Doll's Chairs
Garden and Flower Baskets and Hampers
Garden Chairs
Trays
Hosiery
Mats and Rugs
Waste Paper Baskets
Shopping Baskets
Domestic Baskets and Hampers
Soiled Linen Baskets
Work Baskets Stools
Tradesman's Baskets
Knitted Goods
Brooms and Brushes

Particulars are also given of chair-seating in cane and wicker; jar-casing; joinery; collapsible stools and tables; and pianoforte tuning.

Buy from the Blind

To buy goods made by the blind is one of the most effective ways of helping the blind. It encourages the industry of the blind worker; it gives him the courage to overcome his handicap by perfecting the work of his fingers; it removes him from the class of unemployables to employables ; it helps him to earn a living and not beg for a living ; it fosters self-respect and independence.

Support British Industries

The goods offered for sale are home-made, hand-made goods of high quality. The prices are slightly higher than the prices for goods of a similar nature imported from abroad; but they are superior in workmanship, individuality and finish. In buying goods made by the blind, a customer is not only helping the blind and securing first-rate articles, but is supporting British industries.

Large stocks of goods are on view at our Showrooms at 224, Great Portland Street, London; and31, Holmesdale Road, Reigate. A postcard to either of these addresses will bring a representative with a wide variety of goods offered for sale. It is of interest to note that recently the Department undertook the re-caning of some chairs for Her Royal Highness Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood, who showed her Satisfaction with the work by sending a further order.

Imperial and International Co-operation

We have always considered that no Institution for the Blind should circumscribe E its objects by past achievements or existing activities. Accordingly, while endeavouring to perfect our present national work and to extend it, we have tried--to quote from "The New Beacon " to think imperially and to recognise the existence of the millions of blind people within the boundaries of the British Empire who offer fields of philanthropic endeavour almost appalling in their vastness."

Committee Appointed for Imperial Work

Close relationships have existed for many years between the Institute and the National Institutions for the Blind in Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, and for some time now the discounts on the prices of our embossed books and music, formerly Mellowed only to residents in the United Kingdom, have been extended to every part of tile British Empire. But the year under review has produced several interesting developments in our imperial work, and to deal with these and kindred matters we have appointed a special~Sub-Committee on the welfare of the blind in the British Empire.

The Blind of Gibralter

Last winter our Hon Chief Chaplain, the Rev Canon CE Bolam, who is a member of this Sub-Committee, found time during a private visit to Gibraltar to examine into the condition of the blind in that small British Dependency. He discovered that little was being done. Later, therefore, he returned to Gibraltar on our behalf to address a meeting presided over by the Governor, and the result has been the formation of the Gibraltar Society for the Blind and its affiliation to the Institute. We are doing all we can to assist the Society and we trust that the blind in Gibraltar will soon benefit from its activities.

The Blind in the Irish State

Although the Blind Persons Act is operative in the Irish Free State, since it was passed in 1920 there has been no complete voluntary system of blind welfare work in the State. This was a matter of special interest and concern to Miss Alice Armitage, a member of our Council, whose father, Dr TR Armitage, the founder of the Institute, spent much of his life in Ireland. Miss Armitage gave much time and energy to arousing interest in the question, and at the beginning of this year convened a small private meeting in Dublin to consider the subject. At this meeting, which was attended by the Institute's Secretary-General, it was decided to set up a provisional Committee with the main object of starting a movement that will secure to every blind person in the Free State the means of leading a fuller life with greater opportunities for mental and social development. We intend to help towards the success of this movement by every means in our power.

The Blind of India

Blindness is much more prevalent in the East than in Europe, and the condition of the blind in India is blot on civilisation. Unfortunately, little can be done without a vast organisation and unlimited funds, but we considered it our duty to do what we could to minimise the extent of the problem. Accordingly, we have devoted £1,000 for the development of the prevention of blindness and for the Welfare of the blind in India, and we have every reason to hope that Lady Willingdon, the wife of the present Viceroy of India, will take special interest in this work.

A school for the Blind in Cyprus

In 1928, Sir Ronald Storrs, Governor of Cyprus, finding that nothing had been done to provide for the education of the blind in the island, formed a Committee, which raised sufficient funds to start a small School. It is a valuable experiment, and we have assisted it by financial grants and gifts of educational books and appliances.

These individual efforts to help the blind in various parts of the British Empire are not so extensive in character as we should wish them to be, but they are indicative of our desire to extend to the blind of the Empire the benefits enjoyed by the blind of the Mother-country. Our first and main duty is a national duty, but we believe that all our supporters will consider that we, as British citizens directing a British organisation, are doing right in endeavouring "to think imperially."

International Action

Rapid progress has been made during the year towards realising the ideal of establishing a permanent international body working for the welfare of the blind throughout the world.

The Institute has enjoyed, for years past, the benefit of contact with Societies and individuals working for the blind in other lands, and has maintained cordial relationship with the American Braille Press in Paris, a body founded by the generosity of Americans and carrying out valuable pioneer work in countries where the condition of the blind has been backward. Our own responsibility is primarily to the blind population of Great Britain and the Empire, but we have always kept in mind that no national action can in these days be effective without co-operation and collaboration with those who are working elsewhere for similar ends.

Following on the publication in 1929 by the League of Nations of a handbook on the welfare of the blind, steps were taken to discuss further action with the League at Geneva, and our representatives at the World Conference for the Blind, held in the Spring of this year in New York, are able to report on their return that the Conference founded a World Council for the Blind, which is to have its headquarters in Paris, maintain contact with the League of Nations, and work in co-operation with the American Braille Press and with the established organisations for the blind in all countries throughout the world.

Generous financial support for the new World Council has already been promised, in particular by Mr William Nelson Cromwell and Mr MC Migel. We have been glad to give our Secretary-General permission to serve on the Executive and Managing Committees of the World Council, and we most cordially wish it success in the important and practical task to which it has set its hand. It should do much towards ameliorating the condition of the blind and towards raising the standard of work for the blind throughout the world. Even if we in Great Britain had nothing to learn from abroad (and that is certainly not the case), the facts of blindness in the world at large make an irresistible appeal to the permissionary spirit which has always been characteristic of our countrymen. Neglect of blindness anywhere, failure to take effective steps to prevent blindness when it is preventable, and indifference towards the needs of the blind in any part of the world, is a challenge to the modern sense of world citizenship, and we hope that men of British blood will play a prominent part in the work of the World Council for the Blind which has happily now been established.

The Blind and an International Language

There are many blind people who are keenly interested in Esperanto, and we have been able to assist them in a number of ways. For years we have made an annual grant towards the publication costs of "Esperanta Ligilo," an embossed magazine for blind Esperantists, and when the ninth Congress of Blind Esperantists assembled at Oxford in August, 1930, we were glad to take the opportunity to invite the delegates to visit the Institute in order to inspect the most up-to-date methods of producing Braille literature and to examine the latest appliances and pieces of apparatus. We understand that the visit proved interesting and instructive.

Propaganda

The propaganda work of the past year has served two purposes: to inform the general public of the needs of the blind and of the means through which the blind are being helped; and to keep all Agencies for the Blind in touch with one another.

It is of first importance that those who provide the money to carry on work for the blind should be made acquainted with the effects of that work, and during the year we have distributed to the Press many details of the Institute's work and of the efforts and achievements of the blind.

The Generosity of the Press

The Press welcomes such items, and the value of the publicity given by newspapers and other periodicals to the information we have provided is inestimable of the Press. Every Pressman seems to have a warm corner in his heart for blind people, and in spite of the endless calls on Editors for space, their generosity towards the blind is equally endless. Worthy of special mention are the efforts of the local Press to do whatever can be done to promote the welfare of the local blind.

" The New Beacon"

Our principal means of keeping the various Agencies for the Blind in touch with each other is "The New Beacon," an inkprint periodical published every month by the Institute. Its policy is governed by one object only, the welfare of the blind, and it is always ready to promote that policy by giving publicity to all opinions, however diverse in detail, which have a similar object in view. During the year, “The New Beacon" has published articles expressing different points of view on many of the leading problems of the Blind World today, and we believe that this provision of an open forum for discussion and comment is serving a very useful purpose. Criticism is always useful if it is open ; it is always harmful if it is underhand.

A further object of "The New Beacon" is to link up work for the blind in all countries. Articles have been published giving accounts of work for the blind in different parts of the Empire - South Africa, Egypt, etc. ; in foreign countries--Spain, Denmark, etc. ; and one issue, preceding the International Conference on Work for the Blind in New York, was devoted to articles dealing with various aspects of welfare work for the blind in the United States.

We are happy to report that "The New Beacon" is gradually extending its circulation and its sphere of usefulness. In its new form it was an experiment; today, it is a success and as such is typical of the spirit of co-operation which now pervades work for the welfare of the blind.

A further illustration of how all Agencies for the Blind are trying to make use of each other's experiences is the constant call on our Information Department for facts and figures relative to the blind throughout the world. This Department was re-organised last year, and is now fully competent to deal with most questions concerning the condition of the blind in different countries. The language difficulty has been overcome by the help of voluntary translators, who have assisted the Department most generously by translating articles and correspondence in French, German, Itahan, Dutch, Danish, Swedish and other languages.

The Department has made special reports on the Conditions of the blind in India and on work for the blind in the United States (for tile use of delegates to the International Conference), and many new contacts have been made with Societies for the Blind abroad.

New Directory of Agencies

At present the Information Department is engaged in revising the Directory of Agencies for the Blind. Several years ago this Directory was issued jointly by Gardner's Trust for the Blind and the Institute to succeed the very useful guide compiled by the late Henry J Wilson, and published by the Trust during the time Mr Wilson was its Secretary. The revision of the Directory entails much careful work, but Considerable help is being rendered by the Union of Counties Associations for the Blind. In order to make the Directory as useful as possible, an improved method of arrangement has been adopted, and the Directory will be supplemented by various articles dealing with such subjects as Postage Rates for Braille Literature and Legislation Relative to the Blind, while a list of embossed periodicals, a concise bibliography of works on the blind, and similar details, will be included. We hope to issue this Directory and Year Book annually, and we trust that it will prove a valuable handbook, not only to Institutions for the Blind, but to general Public Libraries and to all people with blind relatives or dependents.

A History of the Blind

Another publication which is now in hand and which should prove of great of the Blind. interest and value is a Chronological Survey of Work for the Blind, with an appendix on the Prevention of Blindness, compiled by Mr HJ Wagg, a member of our Council. Mr Wagg has devoted much time and labour to this compilation, which should be essential to every Institution for the Blind and every Reference Library.

In connection with propaganda work our thanks are due, for invaluable assist- ance, to the Right Hon. C. A. McCurdy, K.C., the Institute's Hon. Adviser on Propaganda and Chairman of our Revenue Sub-Committee, and to the Rev. Canon C. E. Bolam, the Institute's Hon. Chief Chaplain, Who, as Director of our Chaplain's Department, has arranged special services in Churches throughout the country, conducted by blind chaplains or at Which blind chaplains have preached.

Henry Stainsby Memorial Fund

This Fund was founded to perpetuate the name of Mr. Henry Stainsby, who was Secretary-General Of the Institute for 16 years, and who served the blind for over 40 years. It provides watches, Braille Writers, Braille books and similar gifts to pupils of Schools for the Blind on completion of their training. The income of the Fund amounts to £64 per annum.

College of Teachers and Guild of Blind Gardeners

We have always considered that an important function of a national Institute is the provision of facilities to assist the work of all independent bodies working for the good of the blind.

Since the formation of the College of Teachers of the Blind in 1907, we have endeavoured to show our appreciation of its invaluable work by providing office accommodation and permitting an official of the Institute to act as its Hon. Registrar.

The College conducts examinations for school teachers, home teachers, craft instructors and blind pianoforte tuners.

In all important matters affecting the education of the blind the advice Of the College is sought and readily given.

As reported on page 31, we have appointed a Committee in conjunction with the College to conduct a programme of research into the education of the blind, and it is anticipated that the results, apart from their influence on employment problems, will be of very material assistance to teachers and others concerned in the education of the blind.

We have also afforded office accommodation to the Guild of Blind Gardeners, a body which is doing good work in training the blind and myopes in a healthy and interesting occupation.

Obituary

We deeply regret to report the deaths of:

HRH Princess Royal: Her Royal Highness was greatly interested in the welfare of the blind and was Patron of the Greater London Fund for the Blind, initiated by the Institute in 1921.

Miss Grace Jolly: For 13 years Miss Jolly was a most devoted worker for the blind as a voluntary reader in the Institute's Manuscript Department.

Mr. Arthur Boyle: Mr. Boyle had taken a deep interest in the welfare of the blind for many years. His father had been Secretary to Dr Armitage, the founder of the Institute, and Mr Boyle's connection with work for the blind dated from his boyhood. Mr Boyle, Senior, was the inventor of a special type of embossed map, and his son continued to carry on this particular branch of his father's work, in addition to his services as the Hon Treasurer of the Worthing Society for Befriending the Blind.

The Rev AT Dence: "Court Grange," Abbotskerswell, was the generous gift to the Institute of the Rev AT Dence (see page 50).

Mr JH Lee: MrLee was formerly Secretary of the Newcastle Branch of the Institute and later Supervisor of Branches, from which position he retired a few years ago. His colleagues retain an affectionate memory of his geniality and devotion to the cause of the blind.

Mr Chas Taylor: Mr Taylor was originally a stereotyper (hand embossing) at Cambridge Square, the first headquarters of the British and Foreign Blind Association, and became a machinist at the National Institute, where he was employed until a week before his death. He was a man of most genuine culture and was always interested in the subject matter of the plates he handled.

Mr Edward Watson: The death of Mr. Watson, head of the Institute's Music Department, is an irreparable loss to blind musicians in this country and abroad. As Music Master at the Liverpool School for the Blind, he wrote the first Tutor on Braille Music Notation. He joined the Institute's staff in 1922 and became responsible for the selection of Braille music. He was Editor of the Institute's edition of the Works of British Blind Composers, and as Secretary of the International Congress on Braille Music, he had the gratification of finding the system, in which he had taken so great an interest, adopted substantially as an international model. In addition to being a real friend to the blind musician, Mr Watson was a distinguished organist and choirmaster.

Mr FW Ubsdell: Mr Ubsdell was one of the oldest servants of the Institute. He was in the Institute's employment for 38 years, and retired on a pension about two years ago, when 78 years of age.

Mr Henry J Wilson: The appointment in 1882 of Mr. Henry J Wilson as Secretary of Gardner's Trust for the Blind marked the beginning of tong, able and devoted work for the blind. During his Secretaryship of 40 years he visited alt the principal Institutions for the Blind in this country and many Institutions abroad. He organised several National Conferences and was instrumental in founding the College of Teachers of the Blind. The Handbook which he issued in 1887 relative to Institutions for the Blind was a most important and valuable guide to the Blind World. He started in 1898 and edited for 22 years " The Blind," the first English magazine devoted to work for the blind. His advice on the affairs of the blind was frequently sought by the Government and he was the first Vice-Chairman and later Chairman of the Ministry of Health's Advisory Committee on the Welfare of the Blind.

Conclusion

The fitting conclusion to this record of the Institute's work is the expression of our gratitude to the blind and sighted members of the Institute's staff, whose devoted labours have made that work possible. Their loyalty to the Institute and to the cause of the blind is not a loyalty which ceases with the working hours; at all times and on all occasions they are ever ready and anxious to help the sightless so that their lives may be made bright with the light of true and constant friendship.

 

£

s.

d.

To Capital Accounts

      

Freehold and Leasehold Property, Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment

154,545

13

3

Investments

113,818

16

6

General Purposes: General account

45,056

19

1

Add Balance from General Charity Fund Account

1,187

13

4

Total General Purpose

46,244

12

5

Blind Babies Fund: Balance from General Charity Fund Account

2,411

8

2

Add Profit on Sale of Sunshine House, Chorleywood

2,397

15

8

Total Blind Babies Fund

4,809

3

10

Less General Account

3,040

8

8

Total

1,768

15

2

Ex-service Men’s Fund

1,640

19

1

Add Balance from General Charity Fund Account

301

15

8

Total

1,942

14

9

Total of General purpose, Blind Babies and ex-servicemen’s fund

49,956

2

4

Leeds Embossed Books Fund

141

13

8

Harry Weedon Memorial Fund

601

15

0

Sundry Creditors and credit Balances – General Account

9,645

19

9

Blind Babies Fund

1,659

9

8

National library for the Blind

873

16

11

Ex-service Men’s Fund

5

7

0

Total Sundry creditors

12,184

13

4

 

12,928

2

0

Total of capital accounts, investments, ex-service men’s fund and sundry creditors

331,248

14

1

 

£

s.

d.

By freehold property – at cost or at valuation when given to the institute, less sales and amounts written off

43,896

6

7

Leasehold property – At cost, less amounts written off

81,675

10

4

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment – At cost, less realisation and depreciation

28,973

16

4

Total

154,545

13

3

Investments: General purposes

53,172

6

9

Investments: Specifically appropriated

27,968

2

2

Endowments

32,678

7

7

Total investments

113,818

16

6

Stocks as valued by officials of the institute-publications account

25,098

12

9

Printing, propaganda, stationery etc

4,696

3

0

Electrical and Engineering

109

6

0

Home industries

3, 972

1

7

Total stock

33,876

3

4

Sundry debtors and debit balances (less reserve for doubtful debts) – general account

11,160

14

7

Blind Babies Fund

1,269

3

5

Total sundry

12,429

18

0

Cash at bank and in hand: general account

2,983

14

3

Blind babies fund

2,159

1

5

Ex-service men’s fund

1,948

1

9

National library for the blind

873

16

11

Harry Weedon Memorial Fund

601

15

0

Total cash

8,566

9

4

Cash on deposit – general account

7,870

0

0

Leeds embossed books fund

141

13

8

Total cash on deposit

16,578

3

0

Total

331,248

14

1

GF Mowatt and AJW Kitchin – Joint honorary treasurers of the National Institute for the Blind

We report that we have obtained all the information and explanations we have required and, in our opinion, the Balance Sheet at the 31st March, 1931, is properly drawn up so as to exhibit a true and correct view of the state of the Institute's affairs, according to the best of our information and the explanations given to us, and as shewn by the books of the Institute.

Jackson, Pixley & Co, Chartered Accountants, Auditors.

General Charity Fund – Account for the year ended 31st March, 1931

 

£

s.

d.

Management – salaries and wages including Insce

5,085

19

5

Printing, Stationery, Advertising and postage

960

15

10

Alterations, repairs and maintenance

1,137

7

6

Rent, rates, insurance, telephone, fuel, light and cleaning

1,038

6

11

Travelling and other expenses

1,374

11

3

Total management expenses

9597

0

11

Money raising including subscriptions, donations and collections: salaries and wages, sighted blind canavassers wages & Allices (see wages etc paid to blind employees below)

13,449

11

0

Printing, stationery, advertising and postage

5,077

2

8

Rent, rates, insurance, telephone, fuel, light, cleaning and repairs

1412

3

5

Collecting boxes, bazaars, lectures etc

2,407

4

8

Flag Days

1,604

8

7

Proportion of head office expenses charged to collecting

2,780

1

2

Total money raising

26,730

11

6

Payments to the Blind – wages etc – engaged in management

296

6

3

Engaged in money raising

7,257

16

7

Allowances – augmentation of wages paid to the blind (including wages and expenses of their sighted guides

7,580

11

10

Higher education and training fees

1,564

14

5

Assistance and other expenses on behalf of blind persons

14,094

7

8

Total allowances

23,239

13

11

Assignments and allocations to blind societies

19,803

3

8

National Library for the Blind

4.078

8

1

Amounts returned to societies conducting collections

2,209

17

1

Collections made on behalf of other societies

1,890

19

1

Total of direct payments to the Blind and to Agencies for the Blind

58,776

4

8

Expenditure incurred in the maintenance and upkeep of Massage School

3,900

18

8

Blind Babies Homes

8,435

18

6

Chorleywood College

6,323

0

4

Other Homes and Hostels

7,511

1

10

Grant to Clifton Home for Blind Women

393

0

6

Total expenditure

26,563

19

10

Net cost of publications in Braille and apparatus for the blind

6,583

0

5

Home industries account deficit

3,293

13

3

Carried Forward

131,544

10

7

Other Expenses – Benevolent Allowances

455

1

7

Audit fee, legal and professional charges

1,343

6

1

Maintenance of property at Abbotskerwell

62

4

4

Sunshine House, Chorleywood

21

12

4

Hoole Bank, Chester

206

6

6

Total maintenance of property

290

3

2

Payment under guarantee to all England sporting test

950

0

0

Pension scheme contribution

1,376

10

0

Preliminary expenses, East Grinstead

569

7

5

Total other expenses

4,984

8

3

Amounts written off freeholds and leaseholds – general account

5,231

17

0

Blind babies fund

875

10

1

Total amount written off

6,107

7

1

Depreciation – furniture, fixtures, equipment and branch cars

2,620

9

6

Blind babies fund

1,378

4

0

Total depreciation

3,998

13

6

Total depreciation and amounts written off

10,106

0

7

Balance carried to balance-sheet – general account

1,187

13

4

Blind babies fund

2,411

8

2

Ex-service Men’s fund

301

15

8

Total balance carried to balance sheet

3,900

17

2

Total expenditure

150,535

16

7

 

£

s.

d.

Legacies (see page 9)

20,637

4

7

Subscriptions, donations and collections – subscription, donation and appeals

27,209

5

1

Collections including Flag Days

57,623

9

6

Receipts on behalf of other societies - contra

1,890

19

1

Allocation from Greater London Fund

8,093

0

0

Allocation from Blind Societies under collecting agreements

5,876

11

9

Donation from Hertfordshire Society for the Blind

200

0

0

Total subscription

100,893

5

5

Dividends, interest and rents

6,940

8

10

Amounts received in respect of the maintenance and upkeep of – massage school

2,473

0

2

Blind babies homes

5,552

3

8

Chorleywood College

5,462

17

8

Other Homes and hostels

6,094

19

3

Total amounts received

19,583

0

9

Miscellaneous

2,481

17

0

Carried forward

150,535

16

7

Braille Publications and apparatus: Account for the year ended 31st March, 1931

 

£

s.

d.

To value of stock of embossed books, materials, manufactured goods and apparatus on hand – Ist April, 1930

24,532

15

8

Purchase of materials

5,119

0

9

Purchases of manufactured goods and apparatus

5,033

19

10

Total value of stock

10,153

0

7

Wages paid to Blind workers (exclusive of augmentation)

2,774

4

0

Wages paid to sighted workers

5,051

11

11

Health, pensions and unemployment insurance

203

18

5

Management and editorial salaries and expenses

3,857

6

9

Rent, rates, insurance, telephone, fuel, light and cleaning

992

2

6

Repairs and maintenance

96

11

9

Printing and stationery

463

4

5

Postage, carriage and delivery of goods

331

11

1

Depreciation on Plant

470

19

8

Sundries

17

6

10

Total

48,944

13

7

 

£

s.

d.

By stock at 31st March, 1931

25,098

12

9

Sale of embossed books etc

13,300

9

3

Less reductions allowed from cost price of books etc

7,817

6

8

Total

5,483

2

7

Sale of manufactured goods and apparatus

4,959

8

0

Total

10,442

10

7

Donations

4

13

6

Interest on Endowment

70

7

1

Grant, Local Government Act, 1929

6,555

1

6

Income tax recoverable

19

16

6

Miscellaneous

170

11

3

Deficit transferred to general Charity Fund Account

6,583

0

5

Home Industries department – Charitable Assistance Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1931

 

£

s.

d.

To Balance from Trading Account

236

2

7

Special Allowance to blind workers

24

11

6

Gifts to materials to home workers

242

9

5

Provision of tools and other expenses on behalf of home workers

604

1

11

Contributions to Sick Fund

45

7

9

Postage and carriage on delivery of raw materials to home workers

431

4

0

Towards maintenance (Including depreciation) of motors in transport of materials and collection of finished goods

500

16

9

Visiting and superintending home workers

182

15

0

Augmentation of wages to home workers

5,418

11

6

Augmentation of piecework rates

776

10

7

Total augmentation

6,195

2

1

Visitors salaries and part administration

851

0

0

Total expenditure

9,313

11

0

 

£

s.

d.

By donations

60

16

5

Grants – local government act, 1929

506

9

3

County and borough councils

5,452

12

1

Deficit, £11 11s 8d. per worker carried to general charity fund account

3,293

13

3

Total income

9,313

11

0

Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1931

 

£

s.

d.

To stock at 1st April, 1930 – manufactured goods

1,936

19

9

Materials

750

13

3

Stationery

9

11

11

Total stock

2,697

4

11

Payments to the Blind – purchases from blind home workers

6,753

13

1

Purchases from workshops for the blind

3,196

5

0

Total payments to blind

9,949

18

1

Materials purchased for use of home workers

3,577

2

7

Postage and carriage

289

4

4

Maintenance of delivery and sales van

622

12

3

Exhibition and sales expenses, hire of halls, etc

441

2

6

Sundries

84

17

6

Repairs and alterations to premises

166

17

2

Visiting and superintending home workers including use of cars

239

17

1

Printing, stationery and advertising

488

17

9

Rent, rates, insurance and telephone

258

5

7

Fuel, Light and cleaning

67

19

7

Management expenses

296

6

2

Depreciation – motor vans

183

7

1

Furniture

97

4

6

Initial equipment for home workers

246

12

5

Total depreciation

527

4

0

Salaries and wages - sighted

2,247

7

7

Blind, exclusive of augmentation

824

17

5

Health, pensions and unemployment insurance

85

6

10

Total expenditure

22,865

1

4

 

£

s.

d.

By stock at 31st march, 1931 – manufactured goods

3,088

16

11

Materials

848

18

8

Stationery

34

6

0

Sales – finished goods

11,511

13

10

Materials

3,529

18

10

Total sales

15,041

12

8

Grant – local government act, 1929

3,615

4

6

Balance carried to assistance account

236

2

7

Total income

22,865

1

4

 

£

s.

d.

To salaries and wages – blind, exclusive of augmentation

696

14

0

Salaries, wages and fees - sighted

566

12

3

Health, pensions and unemployment insurance

9

0

10

Postage and carriage

24

9

10

Cleaning, upkeep and laundry

9

3

1

Settlement of blind Masseurs and Masseuses including apparatus, medical supplies and appliances

1,067

5

8

Maintenance and examination fees

1,064

17

3

Fees paid to hospitals for supervision of students work

57

5

10

Printing and stationery

79

8

11

Travelling

22

18

0

Sundries

1

0

0

Rent, rates, insurance and telephone

155

4

1

Management expenses

146

18

11

Total expenditure

3,900

18

8

 

£

s.

d.

By training, maintenance and examination fees

2,240

10

9

Donations

103

18

0

Grants: Local government Act 1929

44

11

5

Board of education

84

0

0

Total grants

128

11

5

Deficit transferred to general charity fund account

1,427

18

6

Total income

3,900

18

8

Home for Blind Babies – Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1931

Abbotskerwell, Devon (now East Grinstead, Sussex); Leamingtom, Warwickshire, Southport, Lancashire

       

To salaries of teachers, matrons and nurses

2,120

14

2

Wages of servants (including laundry, charwomen and gardeners)

1,192

13

0

Health, pensions, unemployment insurance etc

78

15

10

Provisions

1,856

18

5

Printing, stationery, postage, educational, books and apparatus

54

14

3

Fuel, light and cleaning

955

11

10

Rent, rates, taxes and telephone

238

3

11

Renewals

177

17

10

Medical treatment, medicine, dressings, bandages etc

234

17

10

Travelling

114

6

10

Clothing, staff

78

13

8

Clothing, babies

81

5

0

Sundries

73

17

2

Superannuation

29

14

3

Total

7,288

4

0

Management expenses

614

3

2

Upkeep of buildings and grounds (including repairs and insurance

533

11

4

Total expenditure

8,435

18

6

 

£

s.

d.

By Grant, Board of education

593

16

0

Grants, local authorities for maintenance

3,103

7

5

Fees etc received from parents, guardians, friends, societies etc

623

3

0

Donations

727

14

8

Dividends on Investments

488

2

7

Miscellaneous Revenue

16

0

0

Total grants

5,552

3

8

Deficit provided from general funds

2,883

14

10

Total income

8,435

18

6

Chorleywood College for Girls with little or no sight: Account for year ended 31st March, 1931

 

£

s.

d.

To salaries of teachers, matron, servants etc

2,491

1

3

Health pensions and unemployment insurance etc

18

12

10

Provisions

1,341

13

10

Laundry

245

11

6

Other household expenses and sundries

36

12

0

Medical charges

28

10

4

Rent, rates, taxes, insurance and telephone

245

9

4

Fuel, lighting and cleaning

624

6

4

Printing, stationery and postage, Educational books and Apparatus

171

9

11

Travelling

15

12

9

Renewals

89

15

10

Teachers Superannuation

87

1

8

Total

5,395

17

7

Management expenses

263

3

11

Upkeep of Building and Grounds (including Repairs, Insurance and Wages of Engineers)

663

18

10

Total expenditure

6,323

0

4

 

£

s.

d.

By Maintenance Fees and Fees paid by Pupils, Parents and Guardians

1,920

10

2

Fees paid by Educational Aurthorities etc

1,664

6

8

Grant, Board of education

941

5

10

Fees paid by the National Institute for the Blind

491

3

8

Donations and Collections

65

2

0

Sundry Receipts

14

2

2

Dividends on Investments

366

7

2

Total

5,462

17

8

Deficit provided from General Funds

860

2

8

Total income

6,323

0

4

Some of the institutes - Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1931

Bannow, St Leonnards-on-sea, Guest House for Aged Blind women, Leamington, Home for Blind Women, Brighton, Hostel for Blind Women, 8 Oval Road, London, Hostel for Blind Women, 9 Oval Road, London

 

£

s.

d.

To salaries of teachers, matron, servants etc

1,854

4

9

Health pensions and unemployment insurance etc

44

0

9

Provisions

2,325

16

6

Laundry

420

8

6

Other household expenses and sundries

107

5

5

Medical charges

227

14

0

Rent, rates, taxes, insurance and telephone

371

10

11

Fuel, lighting and cleaning

824

5

11

Printing, stationery and postage, Educational books and Apparatus

64

14

10

Travelling

23

7

9

Renewals

239

6

1

Teachers Superannuation

18

6

7

Total

6,521

2

0

Management expenses

450

6

1

Upkeep of Building and Grounds (including Repairs, Insurance and Wages of Engineers)

539

13

9

Total expenditure

7,511

1

10

 

£

s.

d.

By Maintenance Fees and Fees paid by Pupils, Parents and Guardians

4,166

18

9

Fees paid by National Institute for the Blind

781

7

2

Donations and Collections

32

13

6

Dividends on investments

292

3

10

Grant, Local government Act, 1929

821

16

0

Total

6,094

19

3

Deficit provided from General Funds

1,416

2

7

Total income

7,511

1

10

Funds - Accounts for the Year ended 31st March, 1931

Expenditure – To general charity fund account (included in Dividends, Interest and Rents)

£122

Income – By cash received from the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers

£122

Total expenditure

£122

Total Income

£122

Expenditure

£ s d

Income

£ s d

To amount paid to blind writers

183 17s 1d

By cash received from the worshipful company of clothworkers

115 10s 8d

   

Deficit provided from general funds

68 6s 5d

Total expenditure

£183 17s 1d

Total income

£183 17s 1d

Receipts

£ s. d.

Payments

£ s. d.

To cash at bank, Ist April

£137 3s 1d

By amount expended on goods supplied to Leeds institution

£65 4s

Amount received from the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers

£68 8s 4d

Cash at bank

£141 13s 8d

Deposit interest

£1 6s 3d

    

Total receipts

£206 17s 8d

Total payments

£206 17s 8d

Expenditure

£ s d

Income

£ s d

To general charity fund for general purpose

254 4s 10d

By dividend on investment

£559 6s 4d

General charity fund, assistance to necessitious blind

254 4s 10d

    

London association for the blind

25 8s 4d

    

Barclay workshops for blind women

25 8s 4d

    

Total expenditure

£559 6s 4d

Total income

£559 6s 4d

Expenditure

£ s d

Income

£ s d

To general charity fund account (included in dividends, interest and rents

497

By Dividend on investment

497

Receipts

£ s d

Payments

£ s d

To balance in hand, 1st april, 1930

548 15s 5d

By amounts expended in grants and relief

647 0s 5d

Allocation from Greater London Fund

700

Balance carried to balance sheet

601 15s

Total receipts

£1,248 15s 5d

Total payments

£1,248 15s 5d

Receipts

£ s d

Payments

£ s d

To cash at bank 1st april, 1930

38 5s

By amount expended in gifts

£50 2s 7d

Dividend on investment

£63 5s 6d

Cash at bank

£52 2s 2d

Deposit interest

14s 3d

    

Total receipts

£102 4s 9d

Total payments

£102 4s 9d

    GF Mowatt and AJW Kitchin are Joint Honorary Treasurers of the National Institute for the Blind

Clifton Home for Blind Women, Bristol – Balance sheet 31st march, 1931

       

To capital account: general purposes Balance on 31st march, 1930

1,218 6s 6d

By investments (at market value 31st March, 1921: 4 per cent Dominion of Canada Registered stock

£72

Sundry creditors

£304 10s 4d

4 per cent London Midland and Scottish Railway stock

£138 6s 3d

   

41/2 % New Zealand Stock, 1948/58

£182 17s 2d

   

Total

393 3s 5d

   

Freehold property

£600

   

Furniture, fixtures and equipment at 31st march, 1930

302 18s 2d

   

Additions

24 7s 6d

   

Less depreciation

30 5s 10d

   

Total freehold property

296 19s 10d

   

Sundry debtors

85 15s

   

Cash at bank and in hand

146 18s 7d

Total

£1522 16s 10d

Total

1,522 16s 10d

Expenditure
£ s d
Income
£ s d
To maintenance
347 14s 9d
By maintenance fees
440 6s
Salaries and wages
295 17s 10d
Fees paid by National Institute for the Blind
123 2s 6d
Health, pensions and unemployment insurance
11 15s 6d
Donations
36 9s
Fuel, lighting and cleaning
92 17s 2d
Grant, Local government act 1929
180
Printing, stationery and postage
10 10s 6d
Dividends on investments
18 3s 6d
Rates, insurance and telephone
33 12s 11d
Income tax recoverable
2 13s
Medical fees and drugs
77 2s 6d
Total
800 14s
Renewals
24 9d
Deficit provided by National Institute for the Blind
393 6d
Travelling expenses
19 9d
    
Laundry
69 11d
    
Sundries
23 7d
    
Total
986 13s 2d
    
Audit fee
5 5s
    
Management expenses
74 11s 7d
    
Depreciation on furniture
30 5s 10d
    
Repairs and maintenance
96 18s 11d
    
Total expenditure
1,193 14s 6d
Total income
£1,193 14s 6d

To Capital Accounts

£ s. d.

  

£ s. d.

Freehold property, printing, machinery, furniture and fittings

7,003 11s 6d

By freehold property

5,029 11s 6d

Investments

9606 10s 11d

Printing machinery

1,496 18s

General purposes

1,880 11s 11d

Furniture and fittings

477 2s

Add balance from central charity fund account

731 11s 9d

Total

7003 11s 6d

Total

2612 3s 4d

Investments (see p 77)

9606 10s 11d

Sundry creditors

155 11s 1d

Stock as valued by officials of the society

1685 2s

   

Sundry debtors, less reserve for doubtful debts

733 16s 1d

   

Cash at bank and on hand

348 16s 4d

Total

19,377 16s 10d

Total

19,377 16s 10d

Expenditure

£ s. d.

Income

£ s. d.

To augmentation of wages – blind staff

109 13 0

By balance transferred from publication account

796 1s 11d

Gifts

4 11s 8d

Subscriptions

10 7s 6d

Annuities payable under the Will of the late Miss AEC Moon

60

Donations

3 11s

Audit fee

10 10s

Dividends on investments and deposit interest income tax recoverable

40 9s 4d

Depreciation: Plant

166 6s 5d

Dividends

311 13s 8d

Furniture and fittings

53 2d

Interest on deposit

3 3s 11d

Freehold

264 14s 4d

Total

355 6s 11d

Total depreciation

484 11d

Rents

235

Balance carried to balance sheet

731 11s 9d

    

Total expenditure

1400 7s 4d

Total

1400 7s 4d

Expenditure

£ s. d.

Income

£ s. d.

To value of stock, 1st April, 1930

1691 4s 5d

By stock at 31st march 1931

1685 2s

Salaries and wages

1,826 11s 1d

Sale of Books

4,068 4s 4d

Health, pensions and unemployment insurance

42 13s 9d

Sale of magazines and newspapers

701 4s 2d

Materials for styerotyping, embossing, binding etc

777 3s 8d

Total sale

4769 8s 6d

Printing, stationery, postage, carriage and packing

25 3s 7d

Less Reductions allowed from cost price of books etc

2079 3s 11d

Fuel, light, water and power

71 17s 9d

Total

2690 4s 7d

Rates, Insurance and telephone

70 7s 9d

Grant, Local Government Act, 1929

1314 16s 10d

Repairs and maintenance to premises and machinery

96 6s 5d

Miscellaneous receipts

4 7s 7d

General Expenses

2 1s

    

Management expenses

295

   

Balance transferred to General charity Fund account

796 1s 11d

    

Total expenditure

5694 11s 4d

Total income

5,694 11s 4d

National Institute for the Blind – Investments, 31st March, 1931

General Account
  
5 % war stock, 1929-47

4558 5d

3 % India stock

941 5s

4 % Funding loan, 1960-90

349 13s 8d

3.5 % Conversion Loan, 1960

4349 15s

5 % Conversion Loan, 1944-64

13,000

New South Wales 4.5 % Stock, 1933

255 4s 4d

New South Wales 3.5 % Stock, 1930-50

106 10s 6d

Southern Railway 4 % Debenture stock

394 1s 2d

3 % Plymouth 4 % Debenture stock

205 12s 6d

Dominion of Canada 4 % Stock

228 2s 6d

National Savings Certificates

608 6s 8d

Cape of Good Hope Consolidated 3 % Stock, 1933-43

1008

Total

26,004 11s 9d

Blind Babies Fund
  

4 % Consolidated Loan, 1957

1773 15s

3.5 % Dominion of Canada Stock, 1930-50

1,394

3.5 % Conversion Loan, 1960

18,000

Total

21,167 15s

Ex-service Men’s Fund

  

4 % Funding Loan, 1960-90
2,500

3.5 % Conversion Loan
2,500

Total
5,000

Chorleywood College

  

3 % India Stock
1,000

Total

1,000
Total Investment for general purposes
53,172 6s 9d
Investments Specifically Appropriated

General Account

  

Bailey Request – 3 % loans
9,881 7s 1d

Salomons Bequest – 4 % Consolidated Loan, 1957
9,600

Mary Shaw Bequest – London and North Eastern 5 % Preferred Ordinary Stock
123 5s

London and North Eastern Railways Deferred Ordinary Stock
40 12s

London and North eastern Railway 4 % Second Preference Stock
264 12s 6d

Metropolitan Railway Consolidated Stock
214 5s

Metropolitan Railway surplus land stock
108 18s

Globe Telegraph and Trust Co 6 % Cumulative Preference Stock
247 5s

Globe Telegraph and Trust Co Ordinary Stock
555

Total Mary Shaw Bequest
1,553 17s 6d

Total general account
21,035 4s 7d
Blind Babies Fund
  

Blind Babies Home, East Grinstead – 4 % Funding Loan, 1960-90
2,598 11s 2d

3.5 % Conversion Loan, 1960
3030 10s

Cash for Investment
100

Total
5,729 1s 2d

Blind Babies Home, Southport

  

3.5 % Conversion Loan, 1960
1,203 16s 5d

Total
6,932 17s 7d

Total Blind Babies Fund
27,968 2s 2d

Total investments

81, 140 8s 11d

Investments – Endowments

  

General Account – Hornshaw Endowment – 5 % war stock, 1929-47

1,017 11s

Sir Alfred Jones Trust and Estate Co Ltd

1,000

Rev FJ Hackett – 2.5

100

Sir John Howard – 5 % War stock, 1929-47

200

Wm Brown Hextall, Esq – 4.5 % Conversion loan, 1940-44

5,000

Louis Sterne, Esq – 3.5 % Conversion Loan

50

Mrs Elizebeth Kirkham – 3.5 Conversion Loan

500

Miss Jesson – 3.5 % Conversion Loan

20

JJ Crosfield, Esq, JP – 3.5 % Conversion Loan

200

Miss Constance de Jong – 5 % Conversion Loan, 1944-64

7,292 4s 11d

Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund

  

3.5 % Conversion Loan

2,996 4s 2d

5 % Great Western Railway Guaranteed Stock

1,100 15s 9d

5 % Great Western Railway Preference Stock

1,076 3s 3d

4 % London, Midland and Scottish Railway Preference Stock

851 7s 1d

4 % London, Midland and Scottish Railway Debenture Stock

427 4s

4 % London and North Eastern Railway Second Preference Stock

844 9s 9d

3 % Local Loans

276

5 % war stock, 1929-47

1,932 16s 11d

Total Arthur Memorial Fund

9,505 0s 11d

Total General account and Memorial fund

24,884 16s 10d

Blind Babies Fund

  

Blind Babies Home, Chorleywood

  

TG Sorby Esq – 3 % local loans

107 14s 3d

Mrs AR Edwards – 4 % Consolidated Loan, 1957

477 10s

Miss AD Spiers – 4% consolidated loan, 1957

477 10s

Sunday League – 5 % war stock, 1929-47

47 17s

Hornshaw Endowment – 5% war stock, 1929-47

1,020

Miss Vaughan Chapman – 4 % Consolidated loan, 1957

100

Mrs Lucy Block – 4.5 % Conversion Loan, 1940-44

508 15s

Mrs F Marks – 3.5% Conversion Loan, 1960

450

Total Chorleywood fund

3189 6s 3d

Blind Babies Home Southport

  

Mr and Mrs HR Graves, Investment Account – 3.5% Conversion Loan, 1960

105

James Gilbertson, Esq – 3.5 % Conversion Loan, 1960

500

Total Southport fund

605

Total Blind Babies, Arthur Pearson and General account

3,794 6s 3d

Ex-Service Men’s Fund

  

William Brown Hextall, Esq – 4.5 % Conversion Loan, 1940-44

500

Chorleywood College

  

William Brown Hextall, Esq – 4% Great Western Railway Debenture Stock

2,999 4s 6d

James Gilbertson Esq – 3.5% Conversion Loan, 1960

500

Total Chorleywood college

3,499 4s 6d

Total Investment Endowments

32,678 7s 7d

Brought Forward

81,140 8s 11d

Total

113,818 16s 6d

General Purposes

  

5% War stock, 1929-47

383 5s 6d

4.5 % Treasury Bonds, 1934

99

Victoria 5% Inscribed Stock, 1945-75

3,456 11s

3.5% Conversion Loans, 1960

3000

Total

6938 16s 6d

Endowments – Miss AEC Moon

  

3.5% Queensland Government Stock, 1950-70

1,152 1s 7d

4% Consolidated loan, 1957

550

5% War stock, 1929-47

965 12s 10d

Total endowments

2,667 14s 5d

Total

9,606 10s 11d

Content author: library@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13

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