New Zealand Institute. 593 



Correspondence respecting Donation of Books. 



No. 1. — Mr. Carter s Letter to the Board. 



Dear Sir, — Wellington, 22nd January, 1890. 



I am desirous of presenting to the New Zealand Insti- 

 tute and Colonial Museum my library of books on or relating 

 to New Zealand, of the value of £300. One folio volume alone 

 cost me £20. It is, I believe, the largest collection of books 

 of its kind in any library in the colony, and contains over a 

 hundred works more than are in the collection of similar books 

 in the Melbourne Free Library. The collection consists of 

 395 works on New Zealand, of which sixty-four are pamphlets, 

 forming (with the sixty-two duplicate copies) a selection of 

 557 volumes, to which I have added sixty printed catalogues 

 of the same. 



I respectfully oifer the collection to the New Zealand 

 Institute and Colonial Museum on the follov/ing conditions : 

 (1.) It is to be placed in a suitable position in the library of 

 the Institute. (2.) A properly-constructed book-case, with 

 glass doors, is, without delay, to be provided for its reception. 

 (3.) The books are to be used as works of reference only, and 

 not to pass outside the Museum. 



I should part with the collection with some regret did I not 

 think it would be more useful to the public than by remaining 

 in my possession. I do not anticipate that the present genera- 

 tion will appreciate its value, but I venture to hope that a 

 succeeding one will. 



To collect and collate this small library of books on New 

 Zealand has been to me, I may say, a labour of love, the 

 fruit-p of which I now wish to intrust to your safe keeping. 

 I have also to present to the Museum a collection of arms 

 gathered on the battle-fields of the Franco-German war of 

 1870-71, and a French chassepot rifle used during the siege of 

 Paris in 1871. I have, &c., 



C. E. Carter. 



Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G., Colonial Museum. 



No. 2. — Beply to Mr. Carter, and Eesolution of Board. 



Colonial Museum of New Zealand, 

 Sir,— _ Wellington, 18th February, 1890. 



By direction of the Board of Governors of the New 

 Zealand Institute, I have the honour to forward for your 

 information an extract from the minutes of a meeting of the 

 Board held on the 7th instant, the Hon. W. B. D. Mantell, 

 M.L.C., in the chair. 

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