82 Proceedings. 



The most noteworthy additions to the zoological department of the Museum are 

 as follows : A series of 103 bird-skins from the Kermadec Islands, purchased from 

 Mr. Roy Bell. A small collection of bird-skins from the Chatham Islands has also 

 been purchased from Mr. Dannefaerd, containing several species (as, for instance, 

 Spheneacus rufescen*) now almost, if not altogether, extinct. Special mention should 

 be made of a fine specimen of a male ostrich in full plumage, presented by the 

 Helvetia Ostrich Company. Thanks are due to Mr. Hallyburton Johnstone for his 

 kindness in specially collecting several New Zealand birds required to fill up blanks 

 in the collections or to replace worn-out examples. Finally, Mr. Pickering has placed 

 the Museum under many obligations by presenting a magnificent specimen of the 

 twelve-wired bird of paradise, one of the finest species of the family. 



In the geological and mineralogical department the only addition of importance 

 is an extensive series of specimens illustrating the geology of the Waihi-Tairua Sub- 

 division, Cape Colville Peninsula, very kindly presented by the Geological Survey 

 Department, per Mr. Colin Fraser. 



Turning to the ethnographical portion of the Museum, mention should be made 

 of the figurehead of H.M.S. " Vh'ago," presented by the Admiralty through the 

 kind efforts of Archdeacon Walsh. Under the head of the Maori collections the 

 thanks of the Institute are due to Mr. G. Graham for a historic greenstone pendant 

 dating back to the times of the Waiohua, the former inhabitants of the Auckland 

 Isthmus, also for a greenstone knife or saw used for cutting up human flesh, and for 

 several other articles of interest. Contributions have also been received from Mr. 

 Hallyburton Johnstone, Mr. Vaile, Mr. J. Macmillan, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Condron, 

 and others. 



The chief addition to the Maori collections, however, and to the Museum gene- 

 rally, consists of a series of ancient historic carvings from the East Cape district, 

 purchased for the Museum only a few weeks ago, and, as they are remarkably good 

 examples of the best period of Maori workmanship, their value from an ethno- 

 graphical point of view is very great, and the Council consider that the Museum is 

 to be congratulated on their acquisition. 



Library. — The Mackechnie Library Bequest has yielded its usual income of 

 slightly more than £'100. A sum of £75 from the general funds of the Institute has 

 been applied to the purchase of the serial publications regularly subscribed to, and 

 in binding. Under this last head ninety-two volumes have been added to the 

 library during the year. The usual exchanges and presentations have been received 

 from foreign societies, together with some donations from private individuals. 



As the numerous additions made to the library of late years had absorbed the 

 whole of the shelf-room, a new press, capable of accommodating 800 volumes, has 

 been erected. 



Enlargement of the Buildings. — As guardians of the Museum and of the scientific 

 library of the Institute, the Council cannot conclude this report without calling 

 attention to some of the drawbacks and deficiencies which will impede the future 

 development of the Museum and library unless additional accommodation can be 

 provided, or, in other words, an enlargement of the buildings obtained. It is per- 

 haps not generally known that in order to provide room for new acquisitions large 

 numbers of specimens are being withdrawn from exhibition and packed away. 



Granted the necessity of enlargement, the question of funds at once arises. To 

 this it should be replied that such funds ought to be drawn from the public revenue, 

 the course which has been followed in the southern portion of the Dominion. 



In Auckland the total amount of the contributions made by the Government 

 since 1875 is considerably below £'4,000. Without in any way objecting to the 

 expenditure on southern museums, the Council maintains that the amount so far 

 expended on the Auckland Museum is entirely disproportionate, and should be 

 rectified as soon as possible. They commend the facts quoted above to the earnest 

 consideration of all those who deal with public affairs in Auckland, and they trust 

 that the just claims of the Museum will receive that attention which they undoubtedly 

 deserve. 



Election of Officers for 1912. — President — Professor H. W. Segar; 

 Vice-Presidents — J. H. Upton, Dr. R. Briffault ; Council — Professor 

 F. D. Brown, Professor C. W. Egerton, E. V. Miller, E. Mitchelson, T. 

 Peacock, J. A. Pond, J. Reid, J. Stewart, Professor A. P. W. Thomas, 

 H. E. Vaile; Trustees — Professor F. D. Brown, T. Peacock, J. Reid, 

 J. Stewart, J. H. Upton ; Curator and Secretary— T . F. Cheeseman; 

 Auditor — S. Gray. 



