FAREWELL TO THE BLIND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 835, 2 December 1929, Page 10

FAREWELL TO THE BLIND

VISIT BY HER EXCELLENCY

MESSAGE TO THE KING Lady Alice Fergusson paid a farewell visit to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind on Saturday morning. Her Excellency was attended by Captain OrrEwing, A.D.C. Lady Alice was presented with an address in braille at a ceremony which took place in the assembly hall of the institute. She was welcomed on behalf of the Board of Trustees and of the blind people by the chairman, Mr. A. J. Hutchinson. Also on the platform were representatives of the trustees. Sir George Fowlds, M. F. C. Mappin, Mr. J. A. Broadfoot, Mrs. A. Nathan, Mrs. J. A. Tole, Mrs. Mowbray, president of the Victoria League, Miss E. M. Upton, and the matron, Miss O, Swanson. “There ar£ no more loyal people in the Empire than the blind citizens of the Dominion,” said Mr. Hutchinson, and in asking her Excellency to accept 7 the thanks of the institute for the keen interest shown by the Governor-Gen-eral and herself in the welfare of the blind lie said that hundreds of lives had been made happier by the kindly sympathy extended and by expressions of encouragement. He also asked that expressions of loyalty might be conveyed to his Majesty the King by his Excellency after his return to England. A blind girl. Miss Rene Bidoni. read the address which was presented to her Excellency. In expressing thanks her Excellency apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Governor-General. He had been much impressed by the good work the institution was doing. She promised on behalf of his Excellency that the message of loyalty from the blind citizens of the Dominion and their best wishes for the health and happiness of his Majesty the King would be delivered. and added that it could be regarded as a link between them and the throne. “I hope you will continue to flourish ancf prosper,” she said. Before she left the institlte her Excellency selected a chair from its stock for use on the voyage to England She was also presented with a bouquet by a little V»l-nd girl with the words "Lov# from everyone in the institute.”