338 ANNUAL MEETING. 



Considerable work has been done in the museum. To the 

 mineral department it has been possible to devote special 

 attention in consequence of the better accommodation afforded 

 by the new cases so generously presented by Mr. J. C. Williams. 

 The method of classification adopted is the latest and the one 

 considered the best, and the minerals are displayed in an 

 attractive manner which compares very favourably with any 

 provincial museum in the kingdom. 



A large room on the ground floor has been prepared for 

 exhibition purposes and many of our valuable objects of art 

 have been collected together and arranged there. The greater 

 portion of the collection of local antiquities has also been 

 transferred to this room and placed in temporarj' cases, to serve 

 as examples of j)rehistoric art. An effort will be made during 

 the coming year to obtain new cases for this room. 



A great deal of work has also been done in connection with 

 the care and preservation of the various collections both generally 

 and in detail. 



The curator, Mr. George Penrose, is specially commended 

 for his admirable work in the museum and in other departments 

 of duty. He has bestowed an immense amount of labour and 

 scientific attention upon the up-to-date classification and 

 arrangement of the enormous number of precious objects 

 recently acquired, as well as in transferring and transforming 

 the old collections into a far better state and arrangement. The 

 adaptation of new space, the procuring of many costly gifts, 

 including cases constructed in accordance with his own designs, 

 and other important advantages have been secured and. are 

 being still further advanced, to a great extent through his 

 laudable exertions. 



Reference has been made to the Keam legacy. The estate 

 has not yet been wound up and consequently the Council cannot 

 give any exact details as to the amount to be received by the 

 Institution. The legacy, however, when received and properly 

 invested will considerably increase the income of the Institution 

 and will be of great help in the maintenance of a larger building 

 whenever funds permit of an extension being made. Such 

 extension is much needed in order that the Institution may 



