4 
wealthy, and many of the less prominent citizens have friends in foreign 
countries who would be pleased to supply at no cost common articles that 
would have educational value elsewhere. 
The local press can be of incalculable assistance. Most people like 
to be given credit publicly for donations to public institutions, and it is a 
matter of courtesy and justice that such recognition be given. News 
items serve to call forth additional donations, Gifts, however small, give 
occasion for the preparation of instructive articles of readable length. The 
Perth Municipal Museum, Ontario, illustrates the point; the honorary 
curator courteously acknowledges through the local press the receipt of 
donations and in every case prepares an interesting article on the related 
subject, to which the two newspapers of the town most laudably give 
space. 
MUSEUM LECTURES 
Two series of lectures on natural history, geography, geology, forestry, 
industry, travel and other subjects were given under the auspices of the 
National Museum. As in previous years the lectures were given on 
Saturdays, at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., for children, and on Wednesday even- 
ings for adults. The first series included six lectures; the second ten, and 
one additional lecture for adults. The first series was scheduled from 
November 7 to December 16, 1931, and the second from January 6 to 
March 16, 1932. 
Below is a statement of the attendance at these lectures: 
First Series 
Six Six 
children’s adult’s 
lectures lectures 
5,100 1,850 
850 308 
Second Series 
Total attendance 
Average attendance 
First and Second Series 
Total attendance. 
Total attendance all lectures 17, 645 
A comparison of the record for this and the previous year shows that 
the average attendance at the children’s lectures in 1930-31 was 660, and 
in 1931-32 if was 755, an increase of 95; and at the Wednesday evening 
lectures the average attendance in 1930-31 was 308, whereas in 1931-32 it 
reached 340, an increase of 32. This increase is a good indication of the 
popularity of the lectures. 
The continued co-operation and interest of officials of departments 
of the Dominion Government, as well as many outside the Civil Service, 
in this branch of the educational work of the National Museum, is very 
encouraging, and the Lecture Committee acknowledges with gratitude 
Ten Eleven 
children’s adult’s 
lectures lectures 
6,600 4,095 
660 372 
Sixteen Seventeen 
children’s adult’s 
lectures lectures 
11,700 5,945 
Total attendance... 
Average attendance 
