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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 5 (September 1, 1929)

The Call of Humanity

The Call of Humanity

Railwaymen throughout New Zealand may well feel gratified with the splendid response to the appeal on behalf of Mr. George F. Kennedy, fitter at the Addington Railway Workshops, who, as the result of two unfortunate accidents, has been afflicted with total blindness.

“I thank you fellow-railwaymen and the public on behalf of my wife, my family, and myself for the magnificent practical sympathy shown me in my misfortune,” said Mr. Kennedy in accepting the title deeds of his now freehold home in Jeffreys Road, Bryndwr, Christchurch, and a cheque for £200. The mortgage on Mr. Kennedy's home was lifted and the cheque given by a fund to which the public and railwaymen all over New Zealand contributed.

Mr. Kennedy, who has a wife and family of three, lost the sight of both eyes last year after eight years’ service. One of his eyes was penetrated by a splinter from a steel pin. Mr. Kennedy, after having his eye removed, was back at work only five weeks before the bursting of a gauge glass on an engine severed the ball of his other eye, which also had to be removed. The Government granted him a compassionate allowance of £2,000. His workmates and three men representing the public carried through an energetic canvass for funds. Helped by railwaymen from all over New Zealand, the fund rose to £1,109 18s. 9d. With this amount the committee in charge paid off the £794 mortgage on Mr. Kennedy's house, and arranged to carry out some necessary improvements, after which there will be a credit balance in the fund of £200.