END OF YEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 299, 18 December 1935, Page 11

END OF YEAR.

BLIND INSTITUTE. DELIGHT OF CHILDREN. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. Nowhere else could rewards for good work during the year have been received with greater excitement and eagerness than they did at the New Zealand Institute for the Blind last night, when the annual breaking-lip concert and prizegiving were held. The delight of the children knew' 110 bounds, and their useful gifts—a Braille set here, toilet articles there —gave all tire more pleasure because they could not be immediately recognised. Mr. H. C. McCoy, a member of the. board of trustees, presided in the absence of the chairman, Mr. A. J. Hutchinson.

"The year lias been, in spite of the debit balance disclosed by the report, a successful one/' said Mr. Hutchinson in a message read by Mr. McCoy. He paid tributes to the fine work of the workshops staff, tlie management and the members, and. to the valuable services 'of the office staff and of the large body of voluntary workers—trie Women's Institute, the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union, the Red Cross Society and the Rotary Club —who made it possible for the goods made to be disposed of to the best possible advantage. Mr. McCoy added his tribute to the work in all branches of the institute life and offered his congratulations for the progress made in the social and outdoor sides. The recent opening of the Jubilee Rowing Club was an indication of this progress.

Music and Scholarship." "The school record, under the able instruction of Miss M. R. Law, Mr. D. L. Algie and staff, is, in my opinion, remarkable," continued Mr. Hutchinson, "You are indeed fortunate in having the services of such a capable headmistress whose head and heart have been given to her work for many years. I would like to make special mention of the band. Under the direction of Lieutenant Bowes, your achievements have been beyond our most optimistic ideas of what could be done in the musical field of entertainment, and, may I add, professional engagements. The dance band has been a decided financial and social success."

The part that music played in the life of the institute was illustrated during the evening, when a splendid programme was given by the choir, the girls' orchestra, the full band and the dance band, as well as by individual performers. Their presentations 1 were greatly appreciated by the large audience.

It was announced that an anonymous friend had passed over to Mr. Hutchinson a sum of money to be used as he liked. Out of this each worker of the institute was to receive a Christmas bonus of 2/6 as a mark of appreciation of the good work and good service rendered during the year, the chairman stated. It was an announcement that was received with delight.

Paying a tribute to the staff, helpers and members, the . director", Sir Clutha Mackenzie, spoke of the great success of the recent tour of the institute's band. As a result there would be a net return of £1011 after expenses of travel and organisation amounting to £41S had been deducted. A sum of about £'2SB had been distributed in wages and bonuses to the bandsmen. Sir Clutha said that it was of immense value to have such a fine body of young fellows to fro out and bring the work of the institute be/ore the public. He paid a tribute to the splendid record of the workshops.

"Our goods are selling in every part of the Dominion," said Sir Clutlia. "Our chaps are absolutely putting' their best into, their jobs and are establishing a firm reputation. They deserve great credit." He spoke highly of the Rotary Club and the board of trustees and of the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association, which had donated £500 for "much needed library extensions. Sir Clutha looked forward to the possibility of introducing the new "talking books." Prizes Presented. Prizes were presented by Mrs. McCoy as follow:— School Prizes. —Upper division: John Beveridge. Middle division: Laurel Mutimer. Lower division: Edward Mutimer. Excellent first year's work (special): Seymour Lambert. Handwork. —Girls: Elisabeth Smart. Boys: James Venn. Music. — Grcliestra: Roberta Erskine. Band: Allan Morton. Pianoforte: Jean Cramp. Helpfulness and Conduct Out of School.— Girls: Margaret MeLachlan. Boys: Walter Spackman. ') Woodwork. —Tuimai Taraewa. Swimming Certificates. — Audrey McDonald, 880 yds; James Venn, 100 yds. Rewards for Work. —Girls: Rena Bedogni, Joan Chamberlain, Dawn Gavan, Hazel Gavau, Elsie Mutimer, Audrey McDonald, Lexie Smith, 'Doris Starck, Betty Taylor, Kathleen Werren. Boys: Rex Ashwin, David Auld, Ronald Gazley, Donald Ileywood, Julian Lee, Trevor Luxford, Terence Small, Martin Win, Lyall Laurent, Mervyn Keay.

Special Overseas Club Prize for Typewriting.—Rena Bedognni.