LIBRARIAN S REPORT. IX 



est inconvenience. In this connection the case of sewer men, who 

 are notoriously liealthy subjects, may be instanced. 



Although these investigations seem to establish pretty clearly 

 that sewer air, as such, is not necessarily dangerous, and that the 

 probability of sewer air organisms being carried into the outer air 

 so as to become a danger is exceedingly remote, yet it must be 

 admitted that there is still an oif-chance, and it is that off-chance 

 wliicli produces a doubt. 



There is still a belief that, for some as yet unknown reason, 

 sewer air escaping direct into dwelling houses is a danger, and that 

 sewer smells are objectionable and a nuisance no one will deny. The 

 public therefore will probably await the result of further 

 investiii'ation. 



W. McKerrox presented the treasurer's accounts, wliirh were 

 referred to the auditors. 



Tlie librarian's report was presented by H. Piers, showing that 

 1911 l)ooks and pamphlets had been received by the Institute 

 through its exchange-list during the year 190.5; and 1,457 had Ijeen 

 received during ten months (January to October) of the present 

 year, 1906. Particulars were also given of the total number of 

 books and pamphlets received by the Provincial Science Library 

 (with which the books of the Institute are incorporated) during- 

 the year 1905. This number was 2,590, of which 1,911 were the 

 society's exchanges as above-mentioned. Increased use of the 

 library was reported, as shown l)y the number of books liorrowed, 

 namely 536 in 1905. A card catalogue of the manuals and general 

 works, arranged alphabetically by authors and subjects, has l^een 

 completed during 1906, and these books have l)een arranged on tlie 

 shelves according to tlie decimal system of chissilication. The 

 report was received and adopted. 



The Secretary reported tliat the Kivgs County iJiiAXcii of 

 the Institute luid done no work durii)g the session of 19()5-(). nor 

 during the previous session. It was resolved that the suliject of 

 brancli societies be referred to the incomiu*' council. 



