DISABILITY OVERCOME.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 October 1925, Page 11

DISABILITY OVERCOME.

BY HAWERA BLIND MAN

TAKING s UP PIANO-TUNING

A pleasing little ceremony at a meeting of the trustees of the Auckland Blind Institute this week was the presentation to Mr. Cyril Laurent, of Hawera, of his certificates of efficiency in piano-tuning and repairing. The chairman warmly congratulated him on the successful conclusion of his training at the Institute, where he had gained his proficiency certificate and had then spent four years learning his trade. He had also learnt type-writing and had become a good pianist. On behalf of the board, the staff and his many friends at the Institute, the chairman wished Mr. Laurent Godspeed. He felt their friend would put up the same fine record of usefulness as had boon attained by his two brothers in Auckland.

H'he trustees presented. Mr. Laurent with a handsome leather tool-case fitted with a full set of tools. «

Before leaving the Institute, Mr. Laurent was engaged in tuning the many pianos in Auckland homes regularly attended to by the Institute, repairing actions sent in, and working in piano warehouses in the city when they had a pressure of work. Thus another is added to the steadilygrowing band of useful workers turned out by the Jubilee Institute. It requires little imagination to enable those having sight to realise what a whole world of difference it makes to the blind to be able to live ordinary useful lives, to be independent and free, rather than having to pass through the years in soul-destroying idleness and dependence.

Mr. Laurent returned to Hawera on Friday, and is living with Ms parents.