GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY: REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1904-5.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1905 Session I, H-32

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1905. NEW ZEALAND.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY: REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1904-5.

Laid on the Table by leave of the House.

The Chief Librarian to the Hon. the Chairman of the Library Committee. Sir — I have the honour to submit the following report for the year 1904-5 :— Eecess Library Committee. This Committee held six meetings during the recess. The usual rules governing the control of the Library during the recess were again adopted. Lists of new books suggested by the Chief Librarian were considered, and two large orders sent to the London agents. The majority of these books are now on the Library tables. Recess Privileges. The number of persons (independent of those on the permanent privilege list) admitted to Library privileges during the recess was 321. To these persons 5,226 volumes were issued. Fiction (with the exception of the works of a few standard authors) is not issued to ordinary privilegeholders. The privilege of using the Library during the recess is greatly valued by students, and the class of books taken out generally indicates a cultured taste on the part of the borrowers. Boxes to Members. As usual, a large number of baskets of books has been sent to members residing outside Wellington. The new baskets provided last recess have been found much more convenient than the heavy wooden boxes previously in use. Additions to the Library. The number of accessions is much larger than in any previous year. This is due to some extent to the fact that the regular Library vote was supplemented by the sum of £125 accruing from private Bill fees. Altogether the books registered during the period commencing the 16th June, 1904, and ending the 31st May, 1905, numbered 3,230. This total was made up as follows : — Books obtained by purchase ... ... ... ... ... 2,013 Exchanges and donations ... ... ... ... ... 1,150 Books received under the General Assembly Library Act ... ... 67 3,230 In addition to the above, 50 old books not previously on the register were added thereto, making the grand total of additions for the year 3,230. The Library has been specially strengthened by accessions in the classes designated "Philology," "Science," "Sociology," and "Useful Arts," many very important and valuable works previously wanting now finding place on the shelves. lam pleased also to be able to report the addition of many books dealing with the early history of the colony. Some of these, though catalogued, are not yet available for use, having had to be rebound. Books on New Zealand. A manuscript Journal of the Taranaki War, of great interest and considerable value as a record, was also purchased during the year. Our London agents are always on the look-out for New Zealand books, many of which (from the special list of " New Zealand Desiderata" I left with them when in London eighteen months ago) they have secured for the Library at reasonable prices. We still want many rare items, but I hope to bring this section within the next two or three years to that state of efficiency which it should possess in a Library of this kind. The thanks of the Library Committee are due to the Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G., Colonial Secretary, who secured last year a set of the earlier volumes of the Otago Witness. The set affords information as to the early history of Otago and Southland, and forms a very valuable addition to the New Zealand section.

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P rsuant to the desire of last session's Committee, the New Zealand books are now kept under lock and key in a handsome case, for which the Library has to thank the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones. The case, which was specially designed by Mr. Campbell, the Government Architect, is in keeping with the doors and other woodwork in the Library. Works dealing wholly or mainly with New Zealand are now all kept together, being arranged in alphabetical order. Members are reminded that, according to a resolution passed last year, these books are strictly " reference," and must not be taken outside the building. Large as is the case furnished, it is already crowded, and as the books now being rebound come in and others are added there will be no space available for them. I would therefore respectfully suggest that application be made by the Joint Committee this session to the Minister for Public Works for a somewhat similar case. General. The various members of the Library staff have worked well during the year, and I have heard of no complaints from either members or visitors. I have to thank the High Commissioner and his staff for their careful transmission of our orders, and attention generally to our requirements. It is only fair also to our London agents, Messrs. Sotheran and Co., to say that, as in previous years, they have executed our orders with great promptness. Where, as is often the case, the price of a book has had to be left to their discretion, they have treated us very liberally, and the firm deserves special praise for the trouble to which they have gone in securing copies of out-of-print and rare New Zealand books, the pickingup of which, as I know from the experience of my English trip, is a very tedious operation, and entails unremitting attention to the catalogues of second-hand booksellers. A good many books have been bought locally, and Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs (Limited), S. and W. Mackay, and R. Holliday and Co. have been very considerate in letting us have new books on approval. The High Commissioner has again very thoughtfully sent us many interesting and valuable pamphlets, especially on the fiscal question. The thanks of the Library are also due to Mr. J. Mackay, the Government Printer, who has done an exceptionally large quantity of binding both promptly and well, and assisted in other ways which need not be specified. Visitors. The number of persons who signed the Visitors' Book during the recess was 2,746. A great many visitors do not sign. Library Accounts. In an appendix will be found the Library balance-sheet for the year ending the 31st March, 1905, with a copy of the auditor's remarks thereon. I have, &c, Charles Wilson, Chief Librarian.

APPENDIX. Balance-sheet for the Year ended 31st March, 1905. 1904. Receipts. £ s. d. 1904-5. Expenditure. £ s. d. March 31. Balanoe in bank .. .. 523 16 4 Repayments of Agent - General's imprest Nov. 21. Treasury annual vote .. 600 0 0 accounts for books, periodicals, packing, „ 23. Treasury private Bill fees .. 125 0 0 freight, and insurance .. .. 575 18 3 1905. Books and periodicals bought locally .. 247 14 3 Feb. 27. Stamp imprest refund .. 15 0 0 Stamp imprest.. .. .. .. 15 0 0 Fire insurance .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 Sundry accounts .. .. .. 4 2 7 Cheque-book .. .. .. .. 0 5 0 Balance in bank on 31st March, 1905 .. 400 16 3 £1,263 16 4 £1,263 16 4 Copy of Auditor's Certificate. This account from the Ist April, 1904, to 31st March, 1905, and the vouchers relating thereto have been examined, and found correct. The balance in the bank, £400 16s. 3d. (as stated), is correct, and agrees with the bank pass-book. (Signed) J. K. Warburton, Controller and Auditor-General.

Note.—The balance shown at end of financial year (£4OO 16s. 3d.) will be entirely exhausted (in meeting accounts current) before the receipt of this year's grant. Charles Wilson, Chief Librarian. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,450 copies), £1 9s. 6d.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer. Wellington.—l9os. Price, 3d.]