448 New Zealand Institute. 



The Hon. Librarian's report was then read, as follows : — 



The Honorary Librarian reports that the number of pieces received during the 

 year as exclianges and presentations amounts to 923. 



No binding has beeir done during the year, and I desire to point out tliat there is 

 still a large amount of binding that requires attention. As mentioned in my last report, 

 the present arrangement of the books is perhaps the most inconvenient that could be 

 suggested, and it would be a great improvement if a sum of money could be provided 

 for modern iron bookcases, to be arranged in bays. 



I have again to report that very little use has been made of the library, the number 

 of entries made by those taking out books being only forty-six, the majority of these 

 being periodicals and magazines taken out by members of the local society ; in fact, a 

 large number of the books have been taken out by a person who is not a member of the 

 Institute, but who has permission to use the library. I think to a large extent the fact 

 that the library is not much used is owing to the compa,rative inaccessibility of the 

 books. 



No progress has been made with regard to the card catalogue, as no funds are avail- 

 able at present for an assistant. 



The stock of Transactions acciimulated during the last three years has been trans- 

 ferred to the cellars of the Parliamentary Library. 



I have had a typewritten catalogue prepared of the books belonging to the Philo- 

 sophical Society. You will have before you a communication from the Mines, Depart- 

 ment relating to the geological works now in the collection. 



A separate stamp has been prepared for the books belonging to the Dominion Museum, 

 and for the future a separate binding of brown buckram will be used for the Museum 

 books. 



A set of pigeon-holes has been provided for the better keeping of the current parts 

 of the various works, and I also had an estimate prepared for a series of shelves and 

 pigeon-holes for the whole of the parts which are received from time to time. The cost, 

 however, was about £60. If funds can be found for this purpose, it would probably 

 insure the better custody of the parts which arrive from time to time. 



Re exchanges : I have wi'itten to the members of the Committee of the Exchanges,, 

 and have communications from them on this matter. I have, however, been unable 

 as yet to draft a report, as a number of matters have to be gone into first, which cannot 

 conveniently be proceeded with until the alterations in the library now contemplated 

 are decided on. 



I think it is desirable that a small vote should be made for the purpose of carrying 

 on a certain amount of card cataloguing and classification. I propose to ask tlie Stand- 

 ing Committee to authorise the expenditure of a small amount on further work on the 

 catalogue. 4 Hamilton, Librarian. 



Mr. Hamilton moved, and Mr. Chapman seconded, " That the Librarian's 

 report be received." Carried. 



Mr. A. Hamilton moved, and Professor Benham seconded, " That as soon 

 as possible in each year complete copies of the Transactions shall be, in 

 accordance with the Act, presented to Parliament, and that all other copies 

 shall bear that date as the date of issue, and that this date shall be the ' date 

 of publication for the purposes of determining priority of discovery.' " 

 Carried, Professor Easterfield dissenting. 



Professor Benham moved, and Mr. R. Speight seconded, " That the 

 Editor be authorised to publish the Proceedings of the affiliated societies at 

 intervals throughout the year, independently of the Transactions, and 

 separately paged." Carried. 



Professor Benham moved, and Mr, Chapman seconded, " That the 

 Lidex Committee be reappointed, substituting the name of Mr. E. Speight 

 for that of Dr. Chilton, and adding that of Mr. A. Hamilton as convener." 

 Carried. 



Mr. R. Speight moved, and Professor Easterfield seconded, " That the 

 Index Committee consider the question of preparing an index to the volumes 

 of the new series, as issued." Carried. 



