The Daily Telegraph THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1882.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3485, 7 September 1882, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1882.

In the month of March last we gave the readers of this column a description of the Deaf and Dumb School at Sumner, and some account of the system introduced in New Zealand by Mr Van Asch, the director of that institution, by which the dumb are taught to speak. Amongst the Parliamentary papers this session is Mr Van Asch's report to the Minister of Education, ftom which we learn that the number of deaf and dumb children at the school has reached a total of twenty-four. The province of Otago has contributed eight of these little unfortunates, and a like number comes from Canterbury; Auckland has sent four, Wellington two, aud Hawke's Bay one. There it also one

pupil from Melbourne. The total is ' made up of thirteen boys and eleven girls, ' out of which number only three bear ; evidence of slight mental weakness. The ' Inspector-General of Schools in his report to tbe Government, referring to his inspection of this excellent institution, says:—"lt is always a pleasure to visit it. On tbis occasion I was greatly delighted with the striking proofs of progress in intelligence and power of speech exhibited by the more advanced pupils, lam more than ever convinced of the soundness of the principle of the articulation method. Mr Van Asch's skill aa a teacher is admirable, the children take a wonderful interest in their work. I was much pleased with the thoroughness of a geography lesson given in my presence; the children read the lesson orally, referred to the map when it was necessary, and were made to understand all tbe ideas conveyed by the passage they had read. They also asked questions that shewed an intelligent desire for knowledge, and received full answers; thus when they had read that certain rivers are liable to sudden floods, and that there is a substantial railway bridge over the Waitaki, one of them asked, " What is liable ?" and again, " What is substantial ?" The pupils seem to be very happy and contented, and the domestic arrangements are exceedingly good. Miss Coleman, the assistant teacher, is giving satisfaction, not only by her work as a teacher, j but also by her kind and active interest in all that has to be done for the children out of school hours." The report from the medical officer is equally satisfactory. He says:—"The children seem to be cheerful and happy, and as a rule enioy good health ; any slight indisposition is readily attended to by the director, who brings the patient to my house for advice and instructions. The younger unvaccinated children have been operated upon, and the elder ones re-vaccinated successfully. Tbe accommodation is now more complete and concentrated, thus enabling the director to overlook them with less trouble and waste of time; the separation of the boys and girls is also more effectual. The improved arrangements will enable at least five more inmates to be admitted into the asylum. The children are progressing very favorably in their education. The director, directoress, and officers are most painstaking, and evidently make it their study to promote the comfort of the inmates and the efficiency of tbe whole establishment." It is with very great pleasure that we republish these flattering testimonials to the skill and kindness shown in the treatment of the deaf and dumb at Sumner.