11

H.—l7

RETURN of AGES of DEAF AND DUMB, and Blind, in Quinquennial Periods.—(Census, March, 1878).

No. 26. Mr. J. Fulton to Mr. J. Hislop. Sir, — Outram, 23rd June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th relative to the establishment of a deaf and dumb asylum in Dunedin, and to thank you for the enclosures. • The whole matter is receiving the careful consideration of the Committee of the Benevolent Institution, who will take advantage of Miss Mitchell's visit to lay the information obtained before the public, with a view to obtain widespread sympathy and assistance. Your telegram stating that a Charitable Institutions Bill would be introduced into Parliament conveyed just the information we required. I have, &c, James Fulton, On behalf of the Committee of the Otago Benevolent Institution. Johu Hislop, Esq., Secretary for Education, Wellington.

No. 27. Mr. J. Hislop to Miss Mitchell. Madam, — Education Department, Wellington, 16th June, 1879. I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Ballance, to say that he is much pleased at your expression of willingness to pay a visit to Dunedin with a view to render such assistance aud give such information as may be in your power, in connection with the proposed formation of an association for the establishment of a deaf and dumb institution. Government will pay the cost of your passage to and from Dunedin by rail or steamer, and give travelling allowance at the rate of, say, 15s. a day while absent from home. Beyond asking you to be good enough to place yourself in communication with Mr. James Fulton and others likely to bo interested in the work, Government does not think it necessary to do more than express its confidence in your good sense, ability, aud zeal. , I have, &c, Miss Mitchell, Home Villa, Lyttelton. John Hislop.

No. 28. Extracts from Letter —Miss Mitchell to Mr. Hislop. Dear Mr. Hislop,— Home Villa, Lyttelton, 9th July, 1879. I arrived home last Monday, 7th, having been away several days longer that I intended. I left Lyttelton on Friday, 20th, broke journey at Ashburton, and proceeded on next morning. * • * * On Monday, called on Dr. Stuart and Mr. Pryde ; went out to Blueskin in the afternoon ; returned to Dunedin on Wednesdays first stopping at Port Chalmers to see Miss Dalrymple; then went into town and saw Mr. Fulton and Mr. Quin —arranged to see them at a special meeting next day (Thursday) at 2 p.m. Ten or twelve gentlemen present. On Friday Mr. Rennie and Mr. Hardy called at the Rev. Mr. Mackie's, where I was then staying, and took me out to see Benevolent Asylum; met master of

Deaf aud Dm ib. Blind. Ages. Males. Females. Totals. Males. Females. Totals. Jnder 5 years > to 10 years .0 to 15 years .5 to 20 years !0 to 25 years !5 to 30 years 10 to 35 years 15 to 40 years <0 to 45 years ;5 to 50 years 10 to 55 years 15 to 60 years !0 to 65 years 15 to 70 years '0 to 75 years '5 to 80 years iO and upwards 2 11 10 9 5 7 1 1 2 1 9 9 10 2 2 2 1 2 3 20 19 19 7 9 3 2 4 a i 4 1 2 2 8 2 ■1 5 7 2 2 8 5 8 3 1 2 2 3 2 2 4 2 1 8 4 1 4 4 7 7 1 3 3 6 4 4 4 7 4 5 8 11 3 6 12 12 10 4 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 Totals 54 10 94 56 50 106