Deaf And Dumb Children Visit Levin

Chronicle (Levin), 25 November 1949, Page 4

Deaf And Dumb Children Visit Levin

— _ Some 30 children, all from the deaf and dumb school in Wellington, spent a very happy after-npon in Levin yesteiday as the ggesta of Mr. R.' D'. Donaldson, proprietor of the Glen Lyon Stud, Queen Street, and 10 Wellington sportsmen and their wivea, Nina cars brought the party to Levin, a stop being made for luncheod fn a pleasant clearing■ in the Waiopehu Reserve, just opposite the farm. The children were all from the Island Bay Deaf and Dumb School, administered by the Dominiean Order. Accompanying the party were some of the sisters and the Rev. tPather Walsh, S.J., oi Sydney. An Australian fiim unit was also with the party. The ages o'f the children ranged from five to 11 years. The organisers of the ' party were Messrs L. Fleming and B. O'Brien, of Wellington, and Mr. R. D„ Donaldson. The men Said that they had first hit on the idea of- giving the children a treat "over a p-int" one day. They had been on a trip themsslves and thaught it would be nice. to give the children an outing. The children certainly seemed tc be enjoying themselves when a "Chronicle" reporter called in tims to wa,tch them disposing of large quantities of ice cream and soft driAks. The ice cream was donated by Wellington wellwishers and the soft drinks by Mr. N. D. Tilley, of Levin. 'During the afternoon the stables of the Gien Lyon Stud were thrown open to the children for inspeetion, the manager, Mr. Reg. Penmnn, conduc.ing the party over the property. A pony found 30 ardent fans in a matter of minutes and all enjoyed rides on his back. Highlight of the afternoon was the appearance on the pony of Father Christmas with' a large bag filled with toys. When the timo came to return to Wellington, 30 tired but happy children clambered into the cars, each clutching a memento of the trip and with seven and a-half dozen coidiais'' and 12 dozen ice creams saftly disposed of. *