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No. 2. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sis, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 7th April, 1879. In reference to your letter of 7th November last, No. 173, on the subject of providing an instructor for deaf-mutes, I have the honor to state that, through a prolonged illness, I have, much to my regret, been prevented from giving that early and close attention to your letter that its importance demanded. I am now exerting myself in the matter. When I was making a selection of a master for the Dunedin High School, I received great assistance from the two colleagues who were appointed to act with mo. One of these, Dr. Abbott, resides in London, and I have taken the responsibility of asking him to assist me in the selection. He has kindly consented to do so. The high position which Dr. Abbott holds in educational circles, and his large acquaintance with the leading men engaged in educatioual pursuits, enable him to make confidential inquiries which I should have great difficulty in instituting. lam sure his services will be most valuable. I have also associated with me in the selection Mr. Kennaway, who has great judgment and tact in making selections of this kind. We have called for applications for the appointment, and you may rely on no pains being spared to faithfully carry out your views iv this matter, which so creditably does justice to that consideration for misfortune which is so characteristic of the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c., Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 3. Miss Mitchell to tho Hon. Sir G. Grey. Sir,— Charteris Bay, Lyttelton, 24th November, 1878. Having long been a teacher of the deaf and dumb, and desiring to make application for an appointment in connection with the proposed asylum for deaf and dumb in New Zealand, but not knowing with whom the application ought to be lodged, I have presumed upon troubling you to forward the enclosed letter to the party to whom it ought to be addressed. It contains some particulars of my experience in teaching the deaf and dumb in an institution in London, and private pupils I have had here. I have, &c, Sir George Grey. D. G. Mitchell.

Enclosure in No. 3. Sir,— Charteris Bay, Lyttelton, 24th November, 1878. I see by a telegram in the Lyttelton Times of to-day that the Government have telegraphed to the Agent-General to send out an instructor for the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. I have been a teacher of deaf and dumb for upwards of fifteen years —nearly six in an institution for such in London, aud over nine in a clergyman's family here, where three of the children are deaf and dumb. I had also one pupil from Otago and one from Southbrook. Both of these were deaf and dumb. About twenty months ago family matters called mo to Queensland, and both of these pupils had to return home : thus the nucleus of (what I had hoped would eventually become) a school for deaf and dumb was for a time broken up. It is well known in Christchurch that for many years I have beeu teaching deaf and dumb (private pupils), and parents of several children so afflicted had often said they wished I would open a school for deaf aud dumb. Now I have just returned to Canterbury intending to do so, and with this object in view came via Sydney and Melbourne, visiting and spending a good deal of time at both institutions for deaf and dumb there, so as to gain all information I could regarding any recent improvements in tho method of teaching. The want of funds to establish and support such an institution was giving me thought, when I became aware Government had put a sum on the estimates for one. Government now taking the matter in hand puts a stop to my opening a school, and I feci very glad, as now many difficulties are removed with which I should have had to contend, and I was awaiting the proper time (thinking a Committee would have to bo formed first) to make application for the appointment of matron or teacher, when I saw the announcement in the papers about communicating with the Agent-Geueral regarding a teacher for the deaf and dumb. I will gladly forward my testimonials from the master of the institution where I taught iv London, and from the Rev. R. E. Bradley and others, whose children I have been teaching here. Some time ago I had offer of an appointment as a teacher in the Victorian Institution for Deaf and Dumb ; the Committee offered £100 per annum with board and residence: but I could not make up my mind to leave my pupils, with no provision made for their education being continued ; for, although the necessity of an institution for deaf and dumb in the Colony of New Zealand had then once or twice been spoken of in the House, no steps had been taken in the matter, and the education of the children I was then teaching must have ceased, had I left and gone to Melbourne. I have, &c, D. G. Mitchell.

No. 4. Mr. J. Hislop to Miss Mitchell. Madam, —• Education Department, Wellington, 24th December, 1878. I have the honor, by direction of the Minister of Education, to acknowledge the receipt from the Hon. Sir George Grey of your letter of the 24th ultimo, and to say that Government will