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A new volume of the Reference Library Catalogue has been completed 

 in a most satisfactory manner. The compilation of this elaborate volume 

 has entailed great labour and responsibility upon our Librarian and his 

 staff, and the able manner in which it has been completed is very 

 gratifying to the Committee. 



The present North and South Branch Libraries are quite inadequate for 

 the purpose, and the Committee trust the day is not far distant when they 

 may be in a position to erect new librai-ies with reading rooms. Libraries 

 without reading rooms only perform one half of their educational work ; 

 and in many of the more recent libraries boys' and even children's reading 

 rooms have been added, with very encouraging results. 



The work of the Museum and Mayer Collection has made steady 

 progress, and the Monday Evening Lectures increase in popularity. A 

 new departure has been taken with a view to assist in the general advance 

 of technical education. School cabinets have been formed of mechanical 

 and physical apparatus, which are being circulated among the elementary 

 schools. Meetings of the head masters and mistresses have been held, at 

 which the scheme of the Committee has been explained, and there is every 

 reason to hope that these cabinets will be of great service in illustrating 

 technical instruction. 



As regards the Walker Art Gallery, the past year was successful from 

 every point of view. The Autumn Exhibition was one of exceptional merit 

 and interest, and was very largely attended. 



Acting upon a resolution of the Council, the Committee have opened 

 the Permanent Gallery on Sunday afternoons ; the attendance has been 

 large and very orderly, and the opportunity of seeing our picture galleries 

 has been largely availed of by the artizan classes. 



An important work by Holman Hunt, ' The Triumph of the Innocents,' 

 has been added to the Permanent Collection, part of the cost being defrayed 

 by a public subscription. 



With a view to make use during the Winter and Summer of the 

 galleries occupied by the Autumn Exhibition, the Committee have 

 oiganised aNaval Exhibition, which has been very successfully inaugurated, 

 and the Committee hope it will result in a handsome balance towards 

 tae purchase of pictures and the fouuding of a Nautical College. 



The desire of the Committee is to popularize the noble and unique 

 group of institutions under their control, and to avail themselves of all 



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