A BLIND IMMIGRANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15069, 12 August 1912, Page 5

A BLIND IMMIGRANT.

UNFORTUNATE BUT CHEERFUL. "I am blind," the old man said, and he told a Herald representative something of the misfortunes which caused him to be a third-class passenger on the immigrant ship Essex, which arrived at Auckland yesterday morning. Mr. Joseph Anderson has had more misfortune in his life than most people. Twelve years ago he was working as a stone-mason in England. One day a chip from bis chisel flew"into his left eye, ruining its sight. Incapacitated for his ordinary work, he became a nightwatchman. His right eye, was then unaffected, but ho found the strong electric light in the buildings which he watched over too much for his impaired sight, so he took up outdoor work again. Sympathetic influence, however, prevailed, and a year afterwards he was quite blind. The new-comer lias a son-in-law in Auckland, and he, with Mrs. Anderson and their daughter, started out from England by the Essex to spend the rest of their lives in New Zealand's fresh and invigorating air, which they had heard so much about. But misfortune pursued them. The day (ho vessel left Capetown, Mrs. Anderson, who i* 74 years of age. fell down a companion way. and has been in the ship's hospital ever since. She suffers, too, from heart disease. ; ' But I am well and strong, although I'm old."' Mr. Anderson continued. It in the air which I enjoy, tho free, open air. This must be a. fine city of yours. I can feel it, and I have read of it. If Ml this trouble might end-—— ."