BLIND ENTERTAINED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1932, Page 11

BLIND ENTERTAINED.

GATHERING AT INSTITUTE. GOVERXOR-GENERAL'S VISIT. Inmatee of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind provided a programme of musical iteme yesterday afternoon for the entertainment of the blind residents of Auckland who do not live at the institution. There -were nearly 300 blind people present, about half being guests, and, though it was pathetic to see so many people deprived of the blessing of sight, the party was much merrier than many where everyone is keen-eightcd. The visitors keenly appreciated an entertainment, and the inmates, old and young, thoroughly enjoyed the role of hosts and performers. After the principal, Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, had explained the meaning of the gathering, Sir George Fowlds welcomed the gueste. He explained that the finances of the inetitute had euffered, in common with everyone else, but the trustees and the staff were doing all in their power to continue the successful work. The programme included items by the band and the girls' orchestra, both of which showed remarkable skill. A popular item wae a selection by the dance band, during winch a Maori inmate of the institute went through some realistic gestures that were reminiscent of the haka and other native exercises. Vice-Regal Gift. Later during the afternoon the Gover-nor-General and the Lady Bledisloe arrived, and were welcomed by the chairman of the board, Mr. A. <T. Hutchinson, who referred to their Excellencies' interest in the inetitute and ite work, and interest that was evidenced by their employing the band and in other ways, including the presentation of the handsome clock that chimed in the institute hall. Mr. Hutchinson said the gathering wouia. bo glad to know that the sales of goods from the workshops were a little better than last year. His Excellency said the institution was very near to the hearts of her Excellency and himself, and they would be glad to do anything they could to help it. What had always appealed to them was the desirable element of selfrespect that was retained in the work provided to help the blind to earn their own living. Referring to the excellent band of the institution, he said he knew of no band that achieved bo high a standard in so short a time. He was glad to hear that the demand for the products of the workshops was keeping up in epite of the depression. As a thank-offering for the splendid philanthropic work that was being doue, he and her Excellency would like to present a memento, and he would ask the committee to choose something that would be of uee to the institution. After the programme of musical items the guests were entertained to afternoon tea.