3

E.—4

being pressed by many parents of deaf pupils for information on the point, addressed the following communication to the editor of the Niewe Botterdamsche Courant, an almost literal translation of which is : " Many will remember the sensation produced in 1879 by the American invention of an instrument called ' The Audiphone,' said to be capable not only of making the deaf hear sounds more easily, but also of making them understand spoken words. The editor of the Courant was good enough to publish my full report in the issues of the 23rd April and 28th July, 1880, of the experiments tried on the pupils of this institution under my guidance as aurist. These reports were, later on, republished in the report of our Institution for Deaf-mutes, 1879-80. The results of these experiments were not favourable. Although I must own to have become acquainted with a few cases of sufferers from ear-diseases in which the instrument was of some use, for deaf-mutes it seemed to be of no use. Now we have to deal with another invention, possibly one of a more reliable nature. The Abbe Verrier, of Paris, has taken out a patent for a new invention, consisting, as far as we can ascertain, of a peculiarly-constructed ear-tube, by means of which, it is claimed, deaf-mutes can learn to more or less appreciate sounds. The inventor has permitted the teaching-staff of the Girls' Deaf-mute Institution, of Bourg La Eeine, near Paris, to use this instrument. 0. Claveau, Esq., Honorary Inspector-General of Charitable Institutions in France, first mentions it in the June number of the Revue Francaise de V Education dcs Sourdsinuets of this year; and M. Beranger, teacher at the Institution for Deaf-mutes in Paris, confirms and supplements these Communications in the next numbers for July and August. Let it suffice for the present to call attention to this invention. It need hardly be mentioned that this invention has created the most lively interest on the part of our esteemed director (Mr. Isaac Bickers), of the other instructors, and of myself, who have spent the greater part of my life in the furtherance of deaf-mute instruction, and that common efforts were made to obtain further information in the matter. The adjunct-director of the institution, Mr. A. F. Fehmers, chose Paris for his holiday trip, and strenuously exerted himself in making further investigations. Having had a conference with the above-named M. Beranger, he visited the institution at Bourg La Eeine, making himself acquainted with the progress of a dozen pupils (this being one-third of the number in the school), and at the same time getting an opportunity of a cursory examination of the instrument in question. In his opinion, there are some reasons to hope that its use may possibly be of some advantage in the oral instruction of deaf-mutes, without leading to any change in the application of the articulation method as followed by us. The instrument itself—which we are, of course, anxious to possess at an early date —is, however, not yet obtainable; in fact, it may be months before we can get it. Not until then can we begin to experiment for ourselves. The result will be made public in due time. May it be favourable."

No 3.

Ebpoet of the Medical Officer. Sib,— Christchurch, May, 1892. I have the honour to forward the following report on the Deaf-and-Dumb Asylum at Sumner :— The pupils now number forty-six—viz., thirty-one boys and fifteen girls. The pupils, with the exception of slight ailments, for which they were brought to my house, have enjoyed very good health. The two establishments, with the out-buildings and grounds, have been kept clean and in good order. The present arrangements, besides securing the proper division of the boys and girls, afford better supervision, and much-desired increased accommodation in every respect, with the exception of the laundry, which is reported to be too small for the number in the institution. The director, with Mrs. Van Asch and the other officials, continue their great interest in the institution and the pupils. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. H. H. Peins, Medical Officer. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation (not given), printing (1,000 copies), £2 3s.

By Authority : George Didseuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB92, Price, 3d.)