from the books placed on the Reference Counter for free consultation, 

 but the Committee offered £5 for any evidence which would lead to 

 the conviction of offenders, and we have had no cases lately. 



The Reading Rooms maintain their popidarity, and the number 

 of visitors is probably larger than ever before. A visitor was detected 

 mutilating a paper, but the circumstances surrounding the case were 

 such that the Committee thought it might be met by an apology. 



The Museum is also largely visited, and continues to be much made 

 use of by classes from the Public Elementary Schools, to whom the 

 Curator is always ready to give any help or information, as far as his 

 other duties permit. Several good donations have been received 

 during the past year. 



The Art Gallery has had 39975 ^^sitors during the year, and 24 pictures 

 have been sold. It fully maintains its usefulness, and the Committee 

 can only once more express their regret that it has not been found 

 possible to commence the extension of premises on the site they have 

 now had in possession for several years. The objects exhibited are 

 very much crowded, and the Committee have no doubt that a large 

 accession of both loans and gifts wovdd accrue to the Gallery if there 

 were more room in which to display them. 



The Committee are glad to say that they have been able to keep 

 within their estimate for the past year without impairing the usefulness 

 of the Institution ; and the cost of the Art Gallery for the year has been 

 one of the l Avest on record. The members of the Council will find 

 all further details in the Librarian's Report, and in the various tables 

 which are annexed to it. 



There have been no changes in the Stafi during the year, and the 

 Committee desire to again place on record their satisfaction at the 

 way in which all the members discharge their duties, and they have 

 reason to believe this satisfaction is shared by the general public. 

 To the various donors to all divisions of the Institution, to the Press 

 for their support and help, the Committee also desire to express their 

 hearty obligations. 



