BREAKING-UP CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 293, 11 December 1925, Page 3

BREAKING-UP CONCERT.

AT BLIND INSTITUTE. A HAPPY GATHERING. The breaking-up concert held annually at the Jubilee Institute for the Blind took place last evening, there being a large audience. The gathering was a happy one indeed, and with the remarkably fine programme of musical and vocal items provided by the boys and girls of the institute, the appreciation was shown by those present in according the contributors a rousing reception. Each year just prior to Christmas and before' the inmates leave to spend the festive season with parents, relations or friends, a breaking-up concert is held, and last night's ceremony was quite up to the fine entertainment submitted in the past. Sir James Gunson was in the chair, and, in addressing those present, said he felt that he was a usurper in acting as chairman, owing to the unfortunate illness of Mr. H. E. Vaile, chairman of trustees. Sir James said it gave him much pleasure to have presnet Mr. Walter Boyle, American Consul, and Mrs. Boyle. The institute had happy memories of the recent visit of the American Fleet and of the kindness extended to them by the sailors. Tthey would never forget their magnificent action in giving the generous sum of £1000, to assist in the endowment of the work of the institution. It was the intention of the trustees to erect in the hall a tablet, permanently cc-m----memorating their magnificent gift. TJie trustees had asked him at the close of this excellent year of work at the institute to express their sincere thanks to their many friends in the community—contributors, voluntary workers and the public generally. They were at all times most interested in the work and they were never failing in their kindly, courteous attention to the blind in the streets, trams and in other public places. The trustees hope for continued support in the future. New buildings for the men were now in the course of erection, and should be completed in March next, and his Excellency the Governor-General had kindly offered to open them. The next step in the building programme would be a retail shop on the Manukau Road g'.lat need, and hoped that when it was opened the public of Auckland would buy much more largely than hitherto of the splendid'"goods manufactured in the workshops. There was nothing anywhere to equal their quality. The trustees hoped, in the coming years, to make a start with the new workshops, so urgently required. The Building Fund Appeal, at present being prosecuted in Auckland, had met with the most generous response, and the promises and receipts to date amounted to approximately £10,000. He hoped soon to see that sum increased to the objective of £15,000. The institute was an establishment of which Auckland might well be proud, and it behoved all to see that it was speedily equipped .with good healthy, fire-proof buildings in which to carry on its splendid work in safety and comfort. Sir James said he was glad to note . the magnificent contributions being made by the employees of some of the city firms, notably £000 from the Farmers' Union Trading Co. employees, and £400 from the employees of Messrs. Milne and Choyce. He congratulated Newmarket, too, upon its splendid contribution of £000. The actual cash now received by the Central and Subsidiary Building Fund committees amounted t0.£7092 12/. He extended his heartiest congratulations to Mr. Cliitha McKenzie, a , director of the institute , , and wished the staff, workers, and school children at the institute the warmest of Christmas greetings and an enjoyable summer holiday. Prizes were presented as follows:— Schoolwork, Raymond Browne and George H. Arney; boys' drill, Frank Caple; girls' drill, Miss Luxford; music, Stuart Gordon; gardening, Misses Biddle ■and E. Cummings. x