H.—l7.

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consider in what manner they could avail themselves of your valuable services as a teacher of deafmutes ; and have caused immediate inquiry to bo made as to how this could bo best done. I have, &c, Miss D. G. Mitchell, Lyttelton. John Hislop.

No. 5. Mr. W. Montgomery to the Hon. J. Ballance. My dear Mr. Ballance, — Akaroa, 21st December, 1878. Miss Mitchell called on me a few days ago, and stated she had applied to you for employment in the institution about to be established for the instruction of deaf and dumb children. She showed me a number of testimonials from people of position —somo of whom I know, —all vouching for her ability to teach tho deaf aud dumb. I enclose herewith a letter addressed to me by the Roy. Mr. Bradley', and I can say that he would not on any account state more than he knew to be correct. From the conversation I had with Miss Mitchell, and from the perusal of the testimonials, I formed the opinion that she is a very intelligent lady ; and that she would be of great servico in the proposed institution if she were appointed a teacher. I have therefore great pleasure in asking your favourable consideration of her application, and hope you may be able to grant her request. I have, &c, The Hon. Mr. Ballance. W. Montgomery.

Enclosure in No. 5. The Rev. R. R. Bradley to Mr. W. Montgomery. Dear Sir, — Charteris Bay, Lyttelton, 7th December, 1878. In giving you my impressions of Miss Mitchell's qualifications as teacher of the deaf and dumb, I really canuot say too much in her praise. She was with us nine and a-half years, and had the complete charge of my four children—all deaf and dumb. We also received into our house one lad from Rangiora, and one also from Duuediu —a son of Mr. James Green, I believe a member for that part. Both of these lads received every attention ; aud when Miss Mitchell left us, a year and a-half ago, their parents were only too sorry that she was going away. However, family matters ou her side required her presence at Brisbane. She has now returned, aud is staying with us. Miss Mitchell has succeeded so far with our children that we barely feel their want of hearing ; aud my boy Louis, now seventeen, is worth more per week than many an imported immigrant. You have known me so long that you will believe all I say, as nothing more than Miss Mitchell deserves. I have thcreforo great pleasure in adding my mite to her present wishes for employment. I have, &c, W. Montgomery, Esq. It. R. Bradley, M.A.

No. G. Mr. J. nisLOP to Mr. W. Montgomery. S IE Education Department, Wellington, 31st December, 1878. I have the honor, by direction of the Minister of Education, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, respecting Miss Mitchell, and of the letter addressed to you by the Itov. Mr. Bradley. lam to say that Government feel desirous to avail themselves of Miss Mitchell's valuable services, and will keep her in mind when the establishment of the proposed deaf and dumb institution comes to be dealt with ; and that Miss Mitchell has been informed accordingly. I have, &c, W. Montgomery, Esq., M.H.R., Christchurch. John Hislop.

No. 7. Mr. J. Green to the Hon. the Minister of Education. g IB Woodend, Blueskin, 11th January, 1879. I have the honor to request that you will kindly inform me, at your earliest convenience, what the Government are doing iv the way of initiating an institution for teaching and training the heavily-afflicted children that are deaf and dumb, and bliud, iv this colony. There is now a lady (Miss D. G. Mitchell) iv Lyttelton, who has been engaged for a number of years teaching,the deaf and dumb with success, and I have much pleasure in recommending her to you as in every way a most suitable person as lady-principal for the female branch of the establishment. I sincerely hope that you may be fortunate enough to secure the services of Miss Mitchell, as I feel sure it would prove an inestimable blessing for those poor afflicted children to be under the tuition, care, and guidance of such an efficient teacher and such an estimable person. I have, &c, The Hon. tho Minister of Education, Wellington. James Green.

No. 8. Mr. J. Hislop to Mr. J. Green. g IE Education Department, Wellington, 21st January, 1879. Your letter to Mr. Ballance, and also your private letter to me, have come to hand. Mr. Ballance is absent from Wellington just now ; but I am ablo to inform you that Miss Mitchell's fitness