5 
quarterly Stock takings, and the preparation of a supplementary catalogue of 
about 2900 books, which was very much wanted, the last being issued in July, 
1883. The Library is, and has been during the year, in thoroughly good 
working order. 
In the Museum, my work has been the re-arrangement of the birds, the 
collection of the late Rev. E. Jebb, kindly presented to the Institution by his 
widow, being now incorporated with the rest. The whole collection will 
shortly be-re-labelled. A portion of the fine collection of shells has also been 
re-arranged and re-mounted, and will shortly be completed. My great want 
with regard to Museum work is time ; the work has to be done in the inter- 
vals of my other duties, but though much remains to be done, I hope shortly 
to be able to report the Museum in as satisfactory a condition as the Library, 
The Newsrooms are not the least popular part of the Institution. In the 
evenings, and on wet days especially, every newspaper and magazine has its 
reader, and crowded as the rooms frequently are by all classes, I have never 
had throughout the year serious cause of complaint respecting the conduct of 
those who are frequenters. Since August 1st the news rooms have experi- 
mentally been closed at half-past nine o’clock instead of ten. 
My report would be incomplete did I not speak of the highly satisfactory 
way in which the assistants do their work. I believe that the whole of the 
staff are animated with a desire for the efficient working and success of the 
Institution, and co-operate zealously to that end. 
I append to this report the usual tables, and two additional ones, Nos. 
VL., VII., which will be of interest. 
I am, Gentlemen, 
Your obedient Servant, 
W. CROWTHER, 
Librarian and Curator. 
