146 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



the number of visitors is to be attributed to the plague scare, and 

 this was particularly noticeable during the months of April and 

 May. 



Commonwealth Festivities. 

 Our modest endeavour, at the close of the year, towards the 

 Comtnonwealth Celebration in tlie beginning of 1901, was 

 carried to a successful conclusion. This will be fully dealt with 

 in my Report for 1901. 



Museum Staff. 



One change took place in the personnel of the Museum Staff, 

 and one addition was made. The Messenger (S. W. Griffith) 

 resigned on November 10th, and was succeeded by R. C. Park in 

 the same capacity. 



Funds having been provided by Parliament for the employment 

 of an additional Attendant, I recommended Mr. W. Tliorpe for 

 appointment; this was effected in November. To till the vacancy 

 caused by the latter's promotion, I suggested the engagement of 

 a young man (J. C. CuUen) who had bsen favourably recommended 

 to m<3, and this proposition was also approved and carried out in 

 the same month. 



The services of Dr. Thomas Cooksey, B.Sc, Lond., were also 

 retained as Consulting Mineralogist, pending the appointment of 

 a permanent officer. To me, personally, this was particularly 

 gratifying, as it delayed the official severance of our relations 

 with a gentleman who has done much to promote the interests of 

 the Insl itution, and with whom our intercourse has been of the 

 most coi"dial nature. 



Mr. Allan McCuUoch continued his volunteer assistance to 

 Mr. E. 11. Waite, and I gladly endorse the sentiments of high 

 esteem in which the latter speaks of the assiduity and ability of 

 his helper. 



Structural Details. 



In my Report for 1899 I referred to the commencement, in 

 August of that year, of two galleries forming a portion of the 

 new South Wing of the Museum, contracted for by Mr. John 

 Howie, ol Parramatta. Steady progress was made with this 

 work throughout 1900, although some delay was occasioned by 

 the non-delivery at the proper time of portions of the iron-work, 

 but for this; the contractor was in no way responsible. As a step 

 towards tlit; further completion of this wing, an application was 

 made to the Department of Public Works to expend the balance 

 of the voted money in excavating a portion of the ground to receive 

 the foundations of the remainder of the building; this request 

 was complied with, and the work carried out by tlie same con- 

 tractor. It is anticipated that the structure of the two half- 

 galleries will be completed within the contract time, and in my 

 Report for 1901, I shall give a brief description of the building, 



