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Education op Deaf Children. School for Deaf, Sumner; Special Classes for Hard-of-hearing and Speech-defectives at Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin. The number of children on the roll at Sumner on the 31st March, 1929, was fifty-six boys and sixty-one girls. Twelve pupils left and seven were admitted during the year. Special classes for hard-of-hearing children and speech-defectives established in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin afforded training in speech to 172 afflicted children. In addition, the teachers of the special classes give tuition in lip-reading to adults. Ihe school at Sumner continues to do good work. The curriculum is adapted to meet the special needs of the children, and special methods are employed with great success. The children are brought into touch with outside life as much as possible, and every incentive is given to encourage them to express their ideas in words. Training in speech and in lip-reading goes on in every waking-hour of the child, and no opportunity is lost of widening his outlook and enriching his vocabulary. The teacher s problem is to awaken and keep alive a desire to speak. The technique is involved, and the utmost patience is required. The children enioy excellent health and are happy and contented. In February of this year Their Excellencies Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson paid a visit to the school. His Excellency spent considerable time in talking to the children, and before leaving promised to send as a momento a photograph of himself and Her Excellency. This duly arrived, and will serve to remind the children of a notable event in the school year. Expenditure on School for the Deaf, 1928-29. „ . . £ s. d. £ s. d. salaries.. .. .. .. .. _ 5,945 15 11 Advertising, &c. .. .. .. ~ ~ . . 12 6 1 Maintenance of pupils and sundry expenses .. .. .. .. 2,225 15 7 Travelling-expenses .. .. . . .. _ ' 337 ] 3 Maintenance of building, furnishing, &c. .. .. . , . . 77 0 7 8,597 19 5 Less parental contributions and amount received from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards .. . . . . .. • • 2,584 4 3 Sales of farm-produce .. .. .. .. __ 0170 National endowment .. . . .. .. 219 0 0 2,804 1 3 £5,793 18 2 Net expenditure for the year 1927-28, £5,571 18s. Id.

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