WELFARE OF THE BLIND

Evening Star, Issue 20033, 26 November 1928, Page 2

WELFARE OF THE BLIND

VISIT OF MR CLUTHA MACKENZIE PERFORMANCE BY BOYS’ BAND. The band of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland, and the director of the institute, Mr Clutha Mackenzie, arrived from the north on Saturday afternoon, and were met at the station by' members of the Rotary Club, which had arranged tho billeting of the boys and tho organisation of a concert in His Majesty’s Theatre next Thursday evening. The band of the ■ Albany Street School welcomed the boys with stirring music, and played them to the Y.M.C.A. The Institute Band comprises fourteen strapping lads and young men between the ages of fourteen and twenty-five, and is under tho leadership of Mr G. W. Bowes. Some have a certain _ amount of vision, though not sufficient for tho ordinary purposes of life, but the majority are. totally blind. A few minutes association with them soon dispels any inclination one has to suppose they are rany way cast down by their infirmity or that their appreciation of the good things of life is in any degree dampened. They say their sight may not be just as good as other peoples’, but what of that, and that their motto is: “ What the eye doth not see the heart doth nob grieve for.” On Saturday evening in tho Y.M.C.A. the Otago Blind Social Club gave a social evening to welcome Mr Mackenzie and tho boys. About forty blind people from town and country were present, together with many friends. The chairman, Mr N. Beckett, warmly welcomed tho visitors from Auckland, and said how much pleasure it gave them to have in Dunedin this lively party of young men from their mother institution in Auckland. Mr Mackenzie, in replying, said that the tour so far has been the greatest imaginable success. Everywhere the boys had been received with packed houses and tho greatest enthusiasm. Everywhere, too, they had enjoyed the warmest hospitality and kindness. The purpose was not so much the raising of money, but to reward the boys for excellent work, and to show _ to the many old friends of tho institute in the south something of tho results achieved. They would bo demonstrating only their musical efficiency, but ho. would assure tho public that tho Tads were equally capable in other departments such as scholastic attainment, vocational training, games, and o on. The band had been formed only eighteen months ago, when they had been able to acquire the instruments as a result of Rotary clubs having collected £350. He was the bearer of a special message of .thanks from the trustees of tho institute to the people of .Otago for tho generous support they had given the institute during its thirty-eight years of life. No appeal had gone unanswered, and there was a steady and gladly-given stream of contributions from Dunedin.' At their Oamaru concert the mayor had made an unexpected and most welcome announcement to the effect that the late fr Hall, of Herbert, had bequeathed te tho institute a sum of £2,300. He was sorry they could not thank Mr Hall for this wonderful help, but ho could assure his hearers that the bequest would be placed to the capital endowment, and would benefit the institute and assist in financing the training of blind people for all time. Ho brought greetings from the trustees iu Auckland to their blind friends in Otago. It was inspiring to hear of tile way in which _ one and all wore playing their part in life, not only by applying themselves to useful trades and occupations, but also in taking their share in tho domestic round, extending a helping hand to sighted people when they had their difficulties and meeting tho obstacles of life with a cheerfulness, a courage, and a patience of which New Zealand must be proud. Daring the evening the band played several selection to the delight of tho audience', which expressed astonishment at the high musical standard attained. Part songs, pianoforte solos and duets, clarionet quartettes, etc., of an equal merit brought enthusiastic applause, and some of a lighter nature caused much merriment. Tho boys undoubtedly provide a fine entertainment, full of zest and iuimour, and, contrary to expectations, in assessing tlio merit of the performance there is no ; necessity for making any concession on account of tho boys’ infirmity. After supper had been served the evening closed with tho hand playing ‘ Auld Lang Syne,’ and the National Anthem. 'The youngest guest present was a happy little blind boy, live years of age, who will go to the institute at tlio beginning of tho year to start his schooling.