DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 41, 17 February 1880, Page 5

DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION

» Mr Histop, Secretary of the Eduoa--1 tion Department:, has forwarded ua ttie ; following circular in reference to ttie > above institution which has recently besn established at Sumner, nedr l Chrietchurch : — . This institution will be open for the ' education and training of deaf mutes on i he l'ii of March, 18&0. It is requestejd that, if at all possible, intending pupils be entered not later than the 10. h df Biarcii. PuVite will also be received after the oMwinter holidays, on a day that will be hereafter announced. The objects of the institution are— (l.) Tp train, yobng mutes (below 12 years, and in some cases over thai dge) to otter articulate sounds, and to read spoken language from the lips of their teacher. (2.) To employ this acquired power of speech as a means for the inetruotion of the pupils — first, in the understanding and use of easy language, and in reading and writing ; and, at a more advanced stage, in English composition, geography, arithmetic, drawing, elementary science, &c. The result of a complete course of instruction, as herein indicated, will in almost all oases be to enable the pupil to read with thorough comprehension, and to hold oral conversation with relatives^, frienda, and even strangers. (3) To impart to the pupils a good moral training, and to leach them habit i of ind.istry, with a view to the increase of their b&n haziness, and to their becoming, as far as is consistent with . their natural defect, useful members of society. (4.) .To render effectual assistance to ohildren who, from fever or other causes, have lost the sense of hearing, and who would in consequence become wholly dumb. (5.) Arrangements will be hereafter made, as far as practicable, for affording to boys, before tha completion of their course of instruction, an opportunity of learning 1 a trade or acquiring a practical knowledge of gardening and farming. Girls will receive thorough instruction in household economy, needle work, &o. The pupils will board with the director and his family, and will be under their care and protection. Every pupil on entering should be provided with a supply of clothing sufficient for at least a half-year's wear. Every artiolo should be plainly marked with the owner's name. Every pupil is also, : expested to take the following articles: ' Two dessert forks and 1 desert spoon ; 1 6 table napkins; 2 pairs of twilled sheets; 2 bath towels and four hand towels. The charge for board, v lodging, and j education is at the rate of £50 per annum, payable to the director, half- ; yearly, in advance. The parents, ; guardians, cr friends of deaf mutes within the colony who are unable to pay the whole, or any portion of the cost of their residence at the institution, are invited to communicate with the Hon. the Minister of Education. The following is an extract from the report of the Commissioners in England appointed to select a teacher : — "Mr Van Asch appeared to us to be quite suitable for the appointment. Ha has a thorough knowledge of the Ger- ; man system ; and. the results bb wit- ! nessed by o^Helves p\i his puji&s are 1 astonishing in the extreme. The testimonials submitted by him Bhow that be has entirely satisfied the parents of the children who have been with him. The pupils we saw, ribotit ten in ntftrjber, wers of various ages, from 7 yearsto 17; and their general behaviour and obvious cheerful ness^ impressed us rid; less favorably thsn their profioieric^in 1 articulation and lip reading. Mr Va)r Asoh is accustomed to take the while charge of his pupils, including their board and lodging, and would therefore be suitable for the duties of that nature? required by the conditions set forth' in the' instructions of the Government." Mr Van A'aoh strongly urges that, af the processs of education in the case of chfaf mates ia necessarily very slow and gradual, they should, be sent to the institution at an early age, and main- i Uiaed there for the full term of from eight to tea years.