MISKTMS. 



provided. These excursions have been rendered possible through 

 the kindness of the City Engineer's Department, the Sanitary Sub- 

 Commitee having given permission for the Director to occasionally 

 place members of the staff on board the " Beta," when on its periodic 

 visits to the "Deposit Grounds,"' near the North-West Lightship. 

 This vessel has been utilised also for the purpose of bringing fresh 

 seawaier from beyond the North-West Lightship for supplying the 

 Aquarium. The thanks of the Committee are due to Captain Griffiths 

 for his most willing help and courtesy .luring not only the trips on 

 which the officers have accompanied him, but on those frequent 

 occasions when he has brought in objects of interest to the Museum 

 which have fallen in his way. These excursions have already 

 resulted in the acquisition id some hundreds of specimens, mostlj 

 unrepresented previously in the collection, including many very rare 

 forms. 



The Science Cabinets, containing properly identified and labelled 

 specimens, on selected subjects, have been distributed to the various 

 Elementary Schools in the City as in former years: applications 

 have also become more numerous for specimens for object les^m- 

 (mainly Natural History), and for the series of Technical Appliances 

 on loan from the Museums. The increase in the applications for 

 Museum specimens has necessitated considerable additions to the 

 loan collections. 



This educational feature, which has for its purpose the promotion 

 of scientific teaching throughout the City, is being more and more 

 appreciated. Numerous applications have been made to the Direclor 

 by educational authorities, not only in England but in America 



for intoi niation as to the working of the system. 



It may not be out of place to take here a general survey of what 

 has been accomplished during the IT months since the end of 

 •Inly, 1902, when the extension of the Museums was finally 

 completed, and the Hist of tlie new metal cases for equipping the 

 enlarged galleries was delivered, the date at which it became possible, 

 at last, alter four years of building, to commence the re-arrangement 

 of the Museums. 



