DEAF MUTES.

Evening Star, Issue 19326, 12 August 1926, Page 7

DEAF MUTES.

SO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your issue of August 11 is an item of news entitled ‘ Deaf Mutes Taught to Speak,’ which is somewhat misleading in th;.t readers might think that this was a “now invention.” It cannot be too widely know that, although a certain number of children are born “deaf and dumb,” they are only dumb because they cannot hear; they can all (practically) make sounds, cry, and laugh, but because they never hear anyone speak they cannot develop this faculty by imitation as other children do. But they can all bo taught to speak, as is evidenced by the splendid work carried on by the School for the Deaf at Sumner. This little-known institution I regard as one of the show places of New Zealand. Children enter it so-called “deaf and dumb,” and you might think, sir, unless you have boon there? that it would be a most melancholy institution —a school of dreary silences. Not so. The children are bright, happy, full of fun, laughing, gaming, and talking. Their school work, written, is exceptionally good, their manual and needlework excellent, but. marvel of marvels, their dancing to music is almost perfect. After being

in the school for a time the “deaf mutes ” have been so taught to lip-read and to articulate sounds that they oaa oariy on a conversation with anyone quite intelligently, provided speech is not too rapid It is, I believe, a Government institution. I have had occasion to send patients there, and have been delighted with their progress. The system oftraining adopted is basedon correct anatomical and physiological principles as first laid down, I think, bv Dr Bell, the inventor of the telephone.— I am, etc., H. P. PICKEKILI,. August 12.