REPORT. 



In presenting to the Council their tenth Annual Keport, the Com- 

 mittee have pleasure in stating that every department under their 

 management is in eflBcient working order. Owing to changes arising 

 out of the extension of the Museum and Library, the past year is the 

 first in which every part of the Institution has been able to meet the 

 growing requirements of the public. The extent of benefit, physical, 

 intellectual, and moral, diffused through the community by means of 

 the Gardens, Park, Central and Lending Libraries, and Museum, it 

 would be difficult to over-estimate. 



It is satisfactory to find that these means of recreation and 

 improvement are duly estimated by the inhabitants, and that a 

 growing interest is felt in their success. 



REFERENCE LIBRARY. 



During the past year 456,872 volumes have been issued and 

 returned, being an increase of 59,816 compared with the previous 

 twelve months. In connection with this large general issue, it may be 

 stated that upwards of 500 volumes have frequently been given out 

 in less than two hours, the average being 1,612 volumes per day. 



The Reading-room still continues to be crowded, particularly in 

 the evening, when from 400 to 500 readers are frequently present at 

 one time. It is gratifying to add that no particular complaint has 

 had to be made of their general demeanour, or of any injury to the 

 books issued. A large and increasing demand has been observed for 

 works on subjects connected with America, International Law, the 

 Modem Languages, Musical Composition, Decorative Art, and the 

 various branches of the Building Trades, while works on Archi- 

 tecture, Shipbuilding, Engineering, and the Mechanical Arts, have 



