VICTIM OF BANDITS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1932, Page 3

VICTIM OF BANDITS

TOTAL .LOSS OF SIGHT. SYDNEY AMMONIA OUTRAGE.

■Despite efforts of specialist.; and hospital doctors, Alfred Johnson, assistantpostmaster at the William Street post office in Sydney, w>ho was attacked by bandits who threw ammonia in his eyes 'on September 29, is now totally blind. Mr. Johnson cannot now even distinguish, night from day, but he is bearing his affliction with great courage. Doctors made the announcement ■of his plight on October 14 after a close examination. “Poor fellow, one said, ‘dt is dreadful.” One eye had been removed a week previously and it was hoped that the other would be saved, though it was realised that Mr. Johnston probably would not be able to ever use it to any extent. Since he .was admitted to St. Vincent’s yhe has many times _ been examined and suffered operations m efforts to save both eyes. He has remained cheerful throughout. Even when the first eye was taken out, he took his misfortune bravely. More operations followed, > but all failed, and after a consultation the medical men came to the conclusion that there was no chance of saving the sight. When the news was quietly told to Mr. Johnson he showed hardly any emotion. To quote a doctor who was present, “he took it like a man.,? Mr. Jlmson sen., who is on the postal staff at Newcastle, and the young victim’s mother, have scarcely left their son’s bedside since the day of the holdup. “My son,” said the father, “was always extremely fond of music, beautiful scenery, and flowers. As soon as he lea»es hospital, we will secure a tutor 'to teach him Braille reading.” Although when others were about his son showed wonderful fortitude, the ■father added, after he was left alone for a while he was often found greatly distressed owing to his terrible loss. Mr. Horner, chief clerk at the Sydney .General Post Office, said that Mr. Johnson’s case was one of the saddest in the department’s history. Everything possible would be done for him in the future. If past practice is adhered to, there will be no position in the Postal Department for Mr. Johnson. The department has never had a blind man in its 'employment, the view being taken that there are no suitable jobs. The amount 'of compensation to be paid will rest Ultimately with the Federal Treasury. 'ln the meantime,