EDUCATION OF DEAF MUTES.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1616, 25 April 1879, Page 3

EDUCATION OF DEAF MUTES.

The following letter has been placed at our disposal by the Chairman of the Board of Education: — [copt.J Department of Education, Wellington, April 16th, 1879. Miss Mitchell, Home Villa, Lyttelton — Madam, —I have the honor, by direction of the Minister of Education, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, respecting the proposed institution for the education and training of deaf mutes, and to inform you that he has perused it and your former letters on the same subject with interest and satisfaction. I am directed to say also—1. That Government are anxious to aid in securing to the deaf and dumb youth of this colony the means of thorough education and training, and that with this object instructions were forwarded some months ago to the Agent-General in London to engage the services of a very competent teacher. 2. That Government believe that an institution for the education and training of deaf mutes could be most satisfactorily established and conducted by an association organised and incorporated for the purpose ; and that, in view of such an association being formed, Government made it one of the conditions of the teacher’s engagement in England that he should reside in any part of the colony, and be subject to the control and supervision of any governing body which the Government may resolve upon. 3. That Government recognise your eminent fitness for the position of lady superintendent and governess of a deaf and dumb institution, and would be glad to aid in securing your valuable services in that capacity ; and that in the event of such an association as I hare indicated being formed, and your services being secured by the association, Government would contribute towards the expenses of the institution somewhat as follows ; (a) By paying towards the rent of a suitable building for the first operations of the association a sum net exceeding, say, £65 a year. (b) By granting a subsidy towards current expenditure at the rate of one pound (£1) for every pound raised by the association from subscriptions, donations, and payments by parents and guardians of the pupil inmates of the institution. (c) By paying a subsidy of probably not less than £2O per annum towards the board and education of every child whoso parent or guardian may bo unable to pay the full charge for admission. {d) by moving Parliament to grant a vote in aid of the association’s efforts to erect writable buildings of a permanent

character for its institution, upon Ire. • hold lard which it may be able to secure by gift or otherwise. It is to bo understood, h iwever, that the association would have to be prepared to accept the services of the teacher who may bo appointed by the Agent General on such teacher’s arrival in the colony, and that any arrangements now made as regards the staff would be subject to such modifications as may be found necessary in consequence. Government undertake, however, that the arrangements connected with the engagement of such teacher shall he of a liberal character, and that your status and interests shall be protected. You are at liberty to make this communication public, for the information of those who are interested in the important and useful work to which you have devoted yourself. I have the honor to be, Madam, Your obedient servant, (Signed) John Hislop,