Report of the President 45 



use for eleven years, it is practically in as good condition as 



when delivered and that the repairs have been confined to 



renewal of grate bars and firebrick. 



The needs of the Museum are practically the same as those 



of last year intensified. While fully appreciating existing 



financial conditions, the Director a^ain points out 

 Needs 



those needs lest it might be thought they had in any 



degree been lessened. First and foremost among them are 



repairs to the roof, to the heating apparatus in the old North 



Wing, and improvement in the electric light equipment. These 



repairs are too extensive and too costly to be undertaken 



without special appropriation for the purpose, as are the 



improvements in the acoustics of the large lecture hall. 



These would be appreciated by every lecturer and audience 



using it, and with existing knowledge on the subject the 



defects can be remedied. 



In the way of construction, the most crying need is for 

 the East Wing, which continues to be a hole in the ground, 

 while valuable material and interesting exhibits remain in 

 storage, others shown where they do not belong and the work 

 of preparation is checked. 



More fireproof storerooms are greatly needed, and while 

 the fire fighting appliances of the Museum are good and fre- 

 quent fire drills are held, yet the prime consideration is to 

 have objects where they either cannot take fire or where fire 

 may be confined to a single room. 



Next in importance is the need of a building in the south- 

 west court for workrooms, storage and temporary exhibitions. 

 Such a building would be comparatively inexpensive and not 

 only would it add much to the general efficiency of the 

 Museum and save a great deal of time, but something of the 

 kind must be built before the West Transept can be extended. 



In concluding, the Director wishes to thank all members 

 of the Museum force for the interest and energy shown in the 

 work in which they have been engaged, whether scientific or 

 mechanical, and for a public museum one is as important as 

 the other. Without this the progress made during the past 

 year would not have been possible, and as one looks back it is 

 pleasant to see that a great deal has been done. 



