42 Proceedings. 



an unusually large and fine greenstone hei-tiki ; two bone harpoons, of a type new to 

 the collection ; an elaborately carved bone thatching-needle ; and several other in- 

 teresting specimens, obtained by purchase from various sources. Mr. G. Graham, who 

 has pi-evioiisly made valuable contributions to the Maori collections, has placed the 

 Museum under further obligations by presenting several articles, some being interesting 

 additions to the collections. Mr. Winkle, of Mangawai, has presented an ancient Maori 

 spade of a type entirely new to the IMiiseum ; and Mr. Mackenzie, of the Bay of Islands, 

 has forwarded two beautifully carved bone barbs for pigeon-spears. In the zoological 

 department the two most interesting additions consist of a specimen of the North 

 Island thrush, now a very rare bird indeed, presented by Mr. P. Barlow, of Opotiki ; 

 and one of the white-eyed duck, forwarded by Mr. H. Rowlands, of Hamilton. Finally, 

 mention should be made of an old hand weaving-loom, deposited by the Hon. G. Fowlds. 



Shortly after the last annual meeting it was resolved to add a resident taxidermist, 

 or preparator of sjiecimens, to the stai? of the Museum. Inquiries were made in England 

 and America for a suitable person, and after full consideration it was resolved to appoint 

 Mr. L. T. Gvifltin. formerly employed in a similar capacity in the Cape Town and Pretoria 

 Museums. ^Ir. Griffin arrived in Aucklaiid shortly before the end of the year, and 

 has already assumed his duties. His appointment will place the Museum on similar 

 footing to the southern Museums, each of which has a taxidermist as part of the per- 

 manent stai?. and will enable the zoological portion of the collections to be renovated 

 and extended. The Council are confident that the action taken will result in important 

 additions being made to the Museum, and a rapid improvement of the general appear- 

 ance of the collections. 



Library. — The Mackechnie Library Bequest has yielded its usual revenue during 

 the year, which, as provided for by the Bequest, has been applied solely to the purchase 

 of books. In all, thi-ee consignments have been ordered from London, two of which, 

 numberiag over 125 volumes, have been received, a list of the books appearing in the 

 appendix to the report. The third is now on its waj% and will shortly arrive. The 

 Council have also piu'chased a small number of volumes from the library of Professor 

 Talbot Tubbs. In addition to these purchases, the usual exchanges and presentations 

 from foreign societies have been received. 



Acknowledgment should also be made of a donation of twenty-three volumes from 

 Mr. Henry Shaw, who has been a frequent contributor to the library in previous years. 

 The magazines and other serial publications subscribed to by the Institute, a list of which 

 will be found on another page, have beeii regularly received, and to some extent circulated 

 among the members. 



The card catalogue of the libiary, the prepaiation of which was authorised some 

 time ago. has been completed during the year. The titles of the books have all been typed 

 on the cards in duplicate, one set being used as a catalogue of authors, and the other 

 as an index of subjects. The catalogue is now available for use, and should be of great 

 advantage to readers in the library. 



In concluding the report, the Council invite the active assistance of the members 

 and the general public in fiuthering the objects of the Institute, either by adding to the 

 Museum or library or by contributing papers to be read at the meetings, or in any other 

 way that may seem advisable. They feel sure that in the future, as in the past, a liberal 

 support will be given to an instit^ition whose chief aim is to secure the diffusion of scientific 

 and ]iractieal information throughout the community. 



Election of Officers for 1909. — President — Professor C. W. Egerton : 

 Vice-Presidents — Professor F. D. Brown, E. V. Miller ; Council — L. J. 

 Bagnall, Dr. R. BrifEault, H. D. M. Haszard, T. Peacock. D. Petrie. J. A. 

 Pond, J. Reid, Professor H. W. Segar, J. Stewart, Professor A. P. W. Thomas, 

 J. H. Upton : Secretary and Treasurer — T. F. Cheeseman : Auditor — W. 

 Gorrie. 



