BLIND MUSICIANS

Southland Times, Issue 22732, 7 November 1935, Page 13

BLIND MUSICIANS

SUCCESSFUL TOUR OF OTAGO

CENTRAL.

The Band of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind has completed a highly successful tour of Otago Central and is at present in Southland. The party travelled by special motor coach, and every day enjoyed a picnic luncheon in some sunny spot beside . a mountain stream, afterwards walking for two ort three miles or scrambling over the rocky slopes. The bandsmen thoroughly enjoyed the bright sunshine, pleasant air and the beauty of their surroundings, and from their hosts learned much of gold-mining, fruit-farming, life on the high country runs and the early history of the district.

Everywhere they were met by packed houses, many having to stand. Everyone was astonished with the perfection, variety and interest of the programme. Every item was greeted with enthusiasm, and frequent recalls were the order of the day. At Middlemarch and Pembroke the band responded to a popular demand for a dance until midnight, and the floor was rapidly cleared. Various members of the Dance Band took turns in supplying the music, while the other bandsmen joined happily in, found willing partners and proved themselves expert dancers.

Two of the bandsmen, one of whom, Mr J. Simpson, lost his sight in an aeroplane accident, while serving ■with the New Zealand Air Force, were flown from Pembroke to Queenstown over the Crown Range, making the journey in 25 minutes. The approximate net profit from each centre was as follows: Middlemarch, where Mrs R. Elliott and members, of the W.D.F.U. were in charge, £54 (including £23 special subscriptions); Roxburgh, the Mayor, Mr Lalolli, Borough Council Committee and Women’s Institute, £35; Cromwell, Mayor, Mr Roberts, and helpers, £3O. Pembroke, Mr and Mrs Linton Mann and helpers, £3O; Queenstown, the Mayor, Mr Overton, and Borough Council Committee, £3l. The collection at an after-church concert at Arrowtown, for which the party motored out from Queenstown, and where the Mayor, Mr James, presided, reached the excellent total of £l2.

Sir Clutha Mackenzie, director of the institute, says all are delighted with the tour, that it has come up to his best expectations, and that he and the members of the band most deeply appreciate the generosity and warm hospitality everywhere shown them.. Every centre has extended a hearty invitation to the party to make a return visit as soon as possible. On its way north the band is to give a return concert in the Wellington Town Hall as the special guests of the New Zealand Bands’ Association, the Wellington massed bands participating—a friendly act from their sighted fellow-bandsmen which the blind bandsmen deeply appreciate. The band will give concerts at Riverton this evening and at Mataura on Friday. On completing its Southland tour the band has still several Otago towns on its intinerary, namely, Clinton, Saturday, November 9; Balclutha, Sunday, November 10; Milton, Monday, November 11, and Oamaru, Tuesday, November 12. YESTERDAY’S PERFORMANCES. The band of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind played to a large audience in the Civic Theatre yesterday afternoon. Children from most of the town schools were in attendance, and thoroughly enjoyed the attractive fare provided. Sir Clutha Mackenzie, director of the institute, briefly addressed the audience at the conclusion of the concert. The programme presented was a bright and varied one; and reflected great credit upon the bandsmen. In addition to the band pieces, individual items were given and in every case encores were demanded. The band played at Bluff last evening.