Fourteenth Annual Report. 519 



have been collected in New Zealand, with their Stratigraphical Position, is 

 in course of publication, and will shortly be followed by the Sixteenth Pro- 

 gress Eeport. 



The Handbook of New Zealand, prepared by Dr. Hector for the 

 Melbourne Exhibition, is now out of print, and a third edition is in 

 preparation. 



Progress is being made with the preparation of several important 

 works bearing on the Natural History, Mineralogy and Geology of the 

 colony. 



LIBRARIES. 



The libraries in connection with the Museum have increased rapidly 

 during the past year, and it was thought necessary that a librarian should 

 be appointed. Mr. T. W. Kirk has been placed in charge of the Patent 

 and Public Libraries, the work being performed out of official hours. 



New Zealand Institute Library. — The additions to this library comprise 

 about 255 volumes received in exchange for the Transactions from the 

 various societies and institutions whose names appear in List III. 



Patent Library. — This collection remains as hitherto in the lecture- 

 room, and appears to be greatly appreciated, especially by those engaged 

 in mechanical pursuits. Thirty-two volumes have been added during the 

 year. 



Public Library. — It was stated in last report that very many of the 

 works belonging to this library were missing when it was removed to the 

 Museum. Private inquiry by the librarian resulted in the recovery of 

 sixteen volumes, and it has now been decided to advertize in the local 

 newspapers and the Government Gazette requesting persons having in their 

 possession books belonging to this Library, to return the same to the 

 Museum as soon as possible ; it is hoped that by this means a large propor- 

 tion of the missing works may be recovered. 



Meteorology. 



Meteorological statistics are collected at four second-class stations in 

 New Zealand, at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin ; and 

 observations of rainfall, temperature and wind-direction are received from 

 thirty third-class stations. The results are published monthly, and will be 

 collected as usual into a biennial report. There is no first-class meteoro- 

 logical station in New Zealand having the equipment required by the Inter- 

 colonial Conference. 



The system of intercolonial telegraphic weather exchange has now been 

 in operation for twelve months, and the results obtained and the proposals 

 for securing earlier publication, in an easily comprehensible form, of the 

 weather changes, will form the subject of a special report. 



