48 



Geological, Agricultural aud Forests Departments will be placed on 

 view in the central hall of the new Museiun ; in the meantime, 

 h<>wever, no storage room has been available. 



DONATIONS. 



Considering the out-of-the-way situation of the existing building 

 and the fact that it has been impossible to exhibit specimens to 

 advantage, it is not surprising that donations to the Museum have 

 been few and unimpoi-taut. It is hoped, however, that on the removal 

 of the collections to the commodious premises now practically finished 

 this will be altered and that the general public will assist in making 

 the Museiun really representative of the resources of these States by 

 contributing any specimens of interest that they may be in a position 

 to obtain. 



CONSERVATION. 



The collections have throughout the year been cleaned and where 

 necessary repaired, aud many of the more perishable articles have been 

 l-acked up in tin-lined cases, as the increasing dilapidation of the 

 building has rendered their further exposiu'e inadvisal)le. 



A large number of rare mammals and birds were sent home for 

 motmting by an experienced taxidermist, and the former have been 

 safely received back in a most satisfactory condition, the results in the 

 case of a large male siamang and a wild cat being particulaidy 

 fortimate. Mounting from the dried skin, however, can never show 

 such good effects as when the specimens are taken in hand immediately 

 after death, and in a humid climate like that of the Federated Malay 

 States the drying and subsequent relaxation of the skins are attended 

 with special risk to the specimens, due to incipient decomposition. 



STAFF. 



The Dyaks attached to the Museum worked hard and well during 

 the year, their duties on G-imong Tahan being specially arduous ; Imt 

 the Beuj'ali watchmen were not satisfactorv. 



'o^ 



The Museum clerk absconded in September after pawning the 

 silver mounts of several spears aud krises ; he was, however, captured 

 and sentenced to nine months' rigorous imprisonment, and fortunately 

 the majoi-ity of the stolen articles were recovered from the pawnbi'oker 

 with whom they had teen pledged, whilst the value of the balance 

 was made good by the Government Officers' Guarantee Fund. 



H. C. KOBINSON, 



Curator. 



