3

E.—4

By this means the mental image of the word is engraved on the deaf-mute's mind ; though not all at once, for repetition is generally necessary. To take another example of a different character; —" Do not tell a lie ! Speak the truth ! " are sentences readily comprehended by a hearing-child and also easily read aloud, mechanically, by a deaf pupil, trained on the pure oral method. But for a deaf child to realiss their signification as a hearing-child does is quite another matter ; the ideas conveyed by the words " lie " and " truth " are not concrete, but abstract ; and their meanings have to be explained to the deaf-mute in a variety of ways only familiar to the experienced teacher. It is this special skill of the teacher, in fact, which is wanted to penetrate into the encased core of the pupil's mind and so to touch his finer feelings and impress him with noble thoughts. As showing the result of our method of teaching the following extract from a letter (one of many) recently received is of interest : — s|" As H. has left school, after being eight years with you, I wish to thank you and the staff of teachers for the care, attention, and patience you have taken with him. His education and knowledge of things in general is wonderful, and far beyond my expectations. He is a very good, willing, and obedient boy, and is a great help to me on the farm. I have, &c, The Inspector-General of Schools, Wellington. G. van Asch.

No. 4. Report of the Medical Officer. Sir, — Christchurch, Ist June, 1905. 1 have the honour to report that the health of the pupils has been generally good during the past 'year. jjThe only difficulty has been, as usual, with those having tubercular tendencies. Four of these have been sent for a short time to the Avon Pine Sanatorium under the care of Dr. Greenwood, and I have myself visited the sanatorium about once a month. The improvement in health has been so striking in these cases, as well as in the majority of other cases treated in that sanatorium, that one cannot help wishing it were possible to adopt the principle of sleeping in tents in the case of many of the other pupils. I find that tubercular tendencies are more prevalent among deaf-mute children than among normal children, and I consider that sleeping in crowded dormitories often develops such latent tendencies. Tent life may, however, do more harm than good, unless the two following conditions are observed : (1) There must be perfect protection from wind ; (2) the subsoil, as well as the surface soil, must be dry, porous, and perfectly drained ; and the site of the tent must be raised above the level of the surrounding ground. These are the principal causes of the great success attending Dr. Greenwood's sanatorium. The next point I wish to call attention to is the want of a trained nurse, whose special business it should be to watch the health of the pupils and attend to all cases of illness, in addition to her other duties as an attendant. At present this work is done by the Matron as well as possible under the circumstances ; but she cannot be always coming to town to bring pupils to me ; various attendants are sent who are imperfectly acquainted with the details of each case, and are unable to give me the information I require ; my directions are imperfectly understood and carried out, and there is no continuity of action. In conclusion, I beg to remind you that the medical care of the pupils is rendered more difficult by the system of dual control obtaining at the Deaf-mute Institute. I occasionally receive contradictory requests from the Director and Matron, and my directions are often misunderstood. I desire to testify to the untiring zeal and devotion of both the heads of the Institution and the members of the staff to- the welfare of the pupils. I have, &c, The Inspector-General of Schools, Wellington. W. H. Symes, M.D.

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