INSTITUTION FOR DEAF AND DUMB, WARATAH, N.S.W.

New Zealand Tablet, 3 June 1915, Page 47

INSTITUTION FOR DEAF AND DUMB, WARATAH, N.S.W.

The .Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, -Waratah,..,; New South Wales, is conducted by the Dominican Nuns, * under the direction of - the Right Rev. Dr. Dwyer, . Bishop of Maitland, and under the patronage of the hierarchy of Australasia. We take the following from 1 :': the annual report: —■ ' The dawn of 1915 marks the 40th anniversary of : % the inauguration at Newcastle of the work "of teaching the Catholic deaf and dumb, and instructing them in the truths of Holy Faith. The beginning was small, only three pupils being present, but since then- 184 deafmutes have spent many happy years under the care and instruction of the Sisters." During the years 191314 the. number "on the roll was 65, with an average attendance of 58. Fifteen children were admitted to the Sacraments of Penance, the Blessed Eucharist, and Confirmation. The method of instruction remains the same. Results prove its,efficiency, and the Combined?. Method of teaching the deaf and dumb has been pro- • nounced by experts in the Home countries as that ''bringing the greatest good to the greatest number"— therefore do we cling to it as to a tried and true friend.' - :- . During my recent lour (says his Lordship Bishop Dwyer) 1 visited schools for the deaf and dumb iii Bel- ' gium, Ireland, and America., and I saw the results.of deaf-mute training both in the pure oral system and (he sign system. From this experience lam more than ever "persuaded that our Waratah Institute hasdone wisely in not following the fashion of exclusive oral training. This system takes very many years to produce results, and the results are for outward show rather than for inward development of the powers of the pupil's mind and spirit. The Dominican Sisters' point out that the claim of the deaf and dumb to consideration is genuine, and one of the truest ways to show them kindness is to procure for them the best that education can give, and thorough religious instruction can bestow. The Sisters will be grateful if the benefactors of the institution will kindly send their subscriptions as soon as possible.