HARD OF HEARING.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 37, 31 March 1933, Page 5

HARD OF HEARING.

LEAGUE'S PUKEKOHE BRANCH

SPECIAL COURSE OF LIP READING

At a meeting of . the Pukekohe branch of the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing held in the council chambers, Pukekohe, on Monday evening last, advice was received from the League Board of Governors to the effect that in.an endeavour to assist the hard of hearing in country districts a special course of lip reading lessons extending over a month would be held in Auckland in July during the winter show. As definite and final arrangements cannot be made by ihose in charge .Uhtrl it is ascertained how many likely to attend the lessons, those who have any thought of.doing so, are urged to communicate immediately with the chairman of tin 1 local branch (Dr. L. J. Forman Bull;, the branch secretary (Mr S. Bish). (.•!• the League secretary, Mrs G. A. Hurd-Wood. 6i Brooklyn. Emily Place. Auckland, from whom full particular* are available.

The league is desirous of emphasising the fact that while it is quite impossible to master lip-reading in a month's course, it is well within the bounds of possibility to acquire such a working knowledge as will enable the student to continue practise at home until a high degree of efficiency is reached.

Tn connection with the proposed lessons there is of course certain expense, to meet which each student will be required to pay a fee of £1 6s. This fee. however, will constitute Die student as a beneficiary of the league and carries with it full membership and benefit rights until August. 1934.

It is interesting lo note that the beneficiaries of the league have so increased in numbers that it has been found necessary to obtain further assistance in the teaching staff, and at the moment a qualified lip-reading teacher is on her way from England under engagement with the league.

During such times as the Dominion is at present experiencing, it is to be expected that some little difficulty will be met in raising the necessary finance to allow the league to perform its functions, but having regard to the worthy ends at which it alms, we have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that in spite of the depression funds will be raised. It is understood that the local branch will, in the near future, commence a campaign for members (honorary membership is only •~>s per annum) in addition to appealing for public support in some form, and we can only express the hope that the usual enthusiastic support so long associated with Pukekohe and the Franklin district, in other directions, will again be evidenced in this worthy cause.