568 Proceeding a. 



much hampered by the small and insufficient funds available. The 

 zoological department is practically at a standstill from the inability of 

 the Institute to employ a taxidermist. Another serious matter is the 

 slow growth of the whole of the New Zealand collections. The primary 

 object of any local museum of natural history should be to obtain, and to 

 exhibit in as full a manner as possible, a complete series of the natural 

 productions of the oountry or district in which it is situated. But, with 

 the exception of the birds and shells, small progress has been made in 

 this direction. Take, for instauce, the fishes, where it is highly import- 

 ant that there should be a good named collection, especially of the 

 edible species. But the cost of preserving and mounting tbe larger 

 varieties, and of the glass jars and alcohol required for the exhibition of 

 the smaller ones, has effectually prevented a proper advance from being 

 made. Hardly anything has been done towards forming a collection of 

 New Zealand insects, and this is altogether due to the want of proper 

 cabinets for their reception, for several oolleotors wnuld gladly assist if 

 there was a reasonable prospect of their specimens being placed in safety. 

 How these checks to the progress of the Museum can be removed is not 

 at all obvious. In the past the Museum has benefited so largely by 

 private liberality that the Council entertain the hope that its further 

 development may receive some assistance from the same source. 



About fifty volumes have been added to the library by purchase 

 during the year, a full list being given in the appendix. The usual 

 exchanges and presentations from foreign institutions have also been 

 received. The importance of extending the library, and of rendering it 

 more useful to students and scientific workers, is fully recognised by the 

 Council, and it is hoped that means may shortly be available for the 

 purchase of another instalment of books. 



The management of the Little Barrier Island as a reserve for the 

 preservation of the avifauna of New Zealand still remains in the hands 

 of the Institute, the Government contributing an annual grant to defray 

 the necessary expenses. The curator, Mr. Shakespear, reports that no 

 attempt has been made to interfere with the birds, and that no un- 

 authorised persons have landed on the island. Tbe usual annual in- 

 spection was mace a few weeks ago, when everything was found in a 

 satisfactory condition. The secretary reports that birds are everywhere 

 plentiful, and are apparently increasing in numbers. During the course 

 of a week's stay he observed the whole of the species recorded by Pro- 

 fessor Hutton and Mr. Reischek. Now that the visits of collectors 

 have ceased, and the birds are not molested, they have become much 

 tamer, and frequent the lower parts of the island, which was not the 

 case four or five years ago, when the Institute first assumed control. 

 Several were even noticed nesting in close proximity to the curator's 

 house. Altogether there is every reason for believing that the island 

 will long remain a secure home for the avifauna of New Zealand. 



Election of Officers for 1901. — President — J. Stewart, 

 Esq., C.E. ; Vice-presidents — Professor H. W. Segar and 

 J. Batger ; Council — C. Cooper, H. Haines, A. Hunter, C.E., 

 E. V. Miller, T. Peacock, J. A. Pond, Dr. H. Swale, Professor 

 Talbot-Tubbs, Professor A. P. Thomas, J. H. Upton ; Secre- 

 tary and, Treasurer — T. F. Cheeseman ; Auditor— W. Gorrie. 



