EDUCATION: SCHOOL FOR DEAF-MUTES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1892 Session I, E-04b

E.—4b

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: SCHOOL FOR DEAF-MUTES.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 16th September, 1892. Ordered, ! ' That there be laid before this House a Return showing—(l) How many children have passed through the Deaf-mute Institute at Sumner since it was first opened in March, 1880; (2) how many of those children are now earning their living entirely independent of their parents ; (3) how many of the parents of the children who have left the school are now in arrears with their promised payments to the department, and to what extent; (4) the number and the names of the children whose parents are not paying for their children's keep and education ; (5) what funds, if any, did the department provide for wood, iron, and nails for the institution from the time that the department first leased Beach Glen up to March, 1885 ; (6) what refund, if any, did the department receive from the owner of Beach Glen for improvements at the expiration of the lease mentioned above."—(Mr. Pish.)

Betubn of (1) children who have passed through the. Sumner Deaf-mute Institution ; ('2) children now earning their living; (3) arrears of promised payments ; (4) children whose keep and education .are not paid for; (5 and 6) particulars as to Beach Glen lease : — 1. Fifty. 2. Thirty-nine are to be accounted for (four having died, five having been only a very short time in the school, and two having left the colony). Five make their own living quite away from their relations. Fourteen (boys), though residing with their parents, earn a good livelihood either at their own homes or with strangers at blacksmithing, carpentering, mining, tailoring, farming, fishing, dairy work, contracting, threshing, and chaff-cutting. Thirteen (girls) earn their livelihood by dressmaking, domestic employment, and working in a factory. Four are usefully employed at home. Two are of weak intellect. One (boy), who left at an early stage, has been lost sight of by the manager. 3. Eight. Total, £183. (Note. —The largest item in the total is being reduced, the last payment being for £30.) 4. There are twenty-four free pupils. 5. The Director says, "To the best of my knowledge little or nothing." 6. In 1884 Mr. Wiggins contributed £8 10s. towards the cost of a stove. There were no improvements at Beach Glen. Improvements were made by Mr. Van Asch on a piece of land adjoining Beach Glen, but the department did not pay for them. Approaximte Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,160 copies), 18s. 6d

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