The tenant at Little Kilblean, whose rent, via Miss Walker’s bequest was contributing to the trust fund, offered to host an annual workers’ outing.
An Aberdeen Asylum for the Blind Band was established and a donation was received to provide them with uniforms and new instruments.
Workers’ complaints about wages being reduced were carried by the local press but trustees decided that the system could not be altered and wages had to remain as they were. However, a new source of income was found in the cleaning and disinfecting of bedding.
Against a backdrop of another failed shop and ongoing discontent among the workers, trustees appear to be keen to improve the institution. The workers request that the school be closed so that blind children could be integrated into society and the institution could concentrate on industry. Their request was met with a detailed review of other workshops for the blind and an educational committee appended a review of institutions across Europe and USA. The admission age for the school was lowered from eight for girls and ten for boys to seven for all and calisthenic exercise was introduced into the curriculum. A prominent local citizen donated gym equipment and paid for an instructor.
James Balfour’s review of the meetings minutes and all documented proceedings notes that there were many cases of worker insubordination. The press was banned from attending the institution’s meetings. A Bandmaster was hired and the band promptly got into trouble for playing at a political demonstration. The band was instructed that it would not be allowed to play at any political engagements.
Investment in steam power was hoped to bring efficiencies in the rope-making department, though it meant redundancy for the wheel boys who worked there. The Orphan Hospital moved out of the leased part of the building and part of the School Board moved in, providing additional income.
