NATIONAL ART GALLERY AND DOMINION MUSEUM. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1938.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1938 Session I, H-21

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1938. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIONAL ART GALLERY AND DOMINION MUSEUM. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1938.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 11 (2) of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment Act, 1936.

Sir, — Wellington, 17th August, 1938. I have the honour, by direction of the Board of Trustees, to submit to you herewith, pursuant to section 11 of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment Act, 1936, their report for the year ended 31st March, 1938, together with a copy of their accounts for the year, certified by the Audit Office. I have, &c., The Honourable W. E. Parry, F. H. Bass, Secretary. Minister of Internal Affairs, Wellington. BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Chairman — The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, P.C., M.P. Deputy Chairmen— The Mayor of Wellington (T. C. A. Hislop, Esq., C.M.G.). The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry, M.P.). Sir George A. Troup, Kt., C.M.G. (Chairman of Building and Finance Committee). Members — Sir Harold Beauchamp, Kt. Sir George Shirtcliffe, K.B.E. The Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs (J. W. Heenan, Esq., C.8.E., LL.B.). The Royal Society of New Zealand — Dr. P. Marshall, M.A., D.Sc., F.G.S., F.R.G.S., F.R.S.N.Z. Professor W. P. Evans, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.N.Z. Wellington Harbour Board — C. M. Turrell, Esq. (Chairman). D. J. McGowan, Esq. New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts— D. A. Ewen, Esq., M.B.E. G. G. G. Watson, Esq., M.A., LL.B. Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (S. W. Fearn, Esq., L.R.1.8.A., F.N.Z.1.A.). Councillor Thos. Forsyth, Wellington City Council. Chairman of the Wellington War Memorial Carillon Society (Lieut.-Colonel A. Cowles, V.D.). Secretary. —F. H. Bass, Esq., F.P.A., N.Z., Chartered Secretary (Eng.). Treasurer.—F. B. Dwyer, Esq., A.R.A.N.Z.

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COMMITTEES OF MANAGEMENT. National Abt Gallery. Sir George A. Troup, Kt., C.M.G. (Chairman), Mrs. Murray Fuller, Messrs. D. A. Ewen, A. D. Carbery, T. I). H. Hall, Nugent Welch, S. W. Fearn (Wellington), Messrs. W. H. Gummer (Auckland), and Sydney L. Thompson (Ohristchurch). Secretary : E. D. Gore, Esq. Dominion Museum. Sir George Shirtcliffe (Chairman), Messrs. D. J. McGowan, J. C. Andersen, G. V. Hudson, N. T. Lambourne, Dr. J. Rankine Brown, Professor H. B. Kirk, Dr. P. Marshall, and Professor W. P. Evans Director : Dr. W. R. B. Oliver. National War Memorial Carillon. Lieut.-Colonel A. Cowles (Chairman), Messrs. E. E. Muir, E. C. Hale, Robert Johnson, J. H. Hallewell, and J. G. Osborne (Secretary). Sub-committees. Building and Finance. Sir George Troup (Chairman), Sir H. Beauchamp, Sir G. Shirtcliffe, Messrs. D. A. Ewen S. W. Fearn, J. W. Heenan, T. C. A. Hislop, and D. J. McGowan. National Art Gallery. Sculpture.—Messrs. J. M. Ellis, F. H. Shurrock, and Richard Gross. Graphic Arts.—Messrs. L. T. Watkins (Convener), Walter Blundell, and H. H. Tombs. Architectural.—Messrs. W. H. Gummer, S. W. Fearn, and Wm. Page. Educational— Messrs. T. D. H. Hall (Convener), A. D. Carbery, and Sir George Troup. Finance. —Sir George Troup (Convener), Messrs. D. A. Ewen, and T. D. H. Hall. Hanging.—Mrs. Murray Fuller (Convener), Messrs. Nugent Welch, and A. D. Carbery. Purchase of Reproductions—Mrs. Murray Fuller, Messrs. Nugent Welch, A. D Carberv and T. D. H. Hall. J Museum. Advisory. —Professor H. B. Kirk and Mr. J. C. Andersen. Educational. —Mr. N. T. Lambourne, Dr. J. Rankine Brown, and Professor H. B. Kirk. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1938. The Board met on four occasions during the year, and the Building and Finance Committee held six meetings. Changes in Personnel. Board of Trustees.—Mr. William Fielding, representative of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, retired from the Board, his place being taken by Mr. Stanley W. Fearn, who was nominated by the Council of the Institute to represent it for a period of three years. Building and Finance Committee—Mi. T. C. A. Hislop was added to the Committee. Mr. William Fielding retired, and Mr. S. W. Fearn was appointed to the Committee in his place. National Art Gallery : Committee of Management.—Mr. W. Fielding retired, and Mr. S. W. Fearn was appointed to the Committee. Mr. C. M. Turrell acted as a member of the Committee during the absence of Sir George Troup through illness. Mr. A. F. Nicoll was nominated to act as locum tenens for Mr. Sydney Thompson during the latter's absence abroad. Dominion Museum : Committee of Management.—The death is recorded, with great regret, of the Right Rev. Bishop Williams, who had been a member of the Committee since its inception. Mr. B. C. Aston retired from the Committee during the year. The Royal Society of New Zealand nominated Messrs. G. V. Hudson and Professor W. P. Evans to fill the vacancies. The Board gratefully acknowledges the assistance rendered by the gentlemen in question during their period of office. Staff. The Director of the Dominion Museum, Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, was granted leave of absence to visit the United States of America, Great Britain, and Europe, where he will investigate the latest museum methods. The visit was made possible by a grant made by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and is a further example of the valuable assistance rendered to museum work, by that body. The appointment of an educational officer, attached to the Museum staff, has also been rendered possible by a grant from the same Corporation, and the appointment will assist the Museum in its work amongst the schools. All members of the staff have rendered willing and valuable service in their respective departments.

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General. As will be seen from the reports of the Committees of Management of the National Art Gallery, Dominion Museum, and Carillon appended hereto, the year has been one of activity and interest in the respective spheres, and the institutions under control of the Board have carried out their function of disseminating knowledge of art and science amongst the community. Special attention has been given to the educational side, in the form of lectures and addresses to students. The special exhibitions of pictures and museum exhibits have attracted large numbers of visitors, and the attendances during the intervening periods have been well maintained. The installation of a lift in the Carillon Tower has increased the popularity of the ascent of that structure. The Lecture Hall has been used frequently for lectures and moving-picture exhibitions, and the tea-rooms attached to the Art Gallery have been engaged on a number of occasions for special luncheons and tea functions. The grounds surrounding the buildings have been further improved by the formation of grass plots at the rear and on the western and eastern sides, and the levelling and planting of the western bank facing Tasman Street. In this connection grateful acknowledgment is made of the assistance received from the Employment Division of the Labour Department, the City Council, and the Wellington Beautifying Society. The Treasurer's report and accounts, appended hereto, reveal a deficit of £37 ss. sd. in the Revenue Account. Owing to increased running and maintenance costs, the question of providing the necessary finance to carry on the Board's operations has become an acute and difficult one. With the aim of explaining the activities and objects of the institutions under its control and their financial needs, the Board convened a meeting of local bodies within a certain radius of Wellington (including also Blenheim, Nelson, and Wanganui) in December last. The Conference was well attended, and after the position had been explained and discussed a resolution was unanimously passed whereby the delegates present pledged themselves to recommend to their respective local bodies support of a scheme of annual contribution based upon a scale varying according to distance and population. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister promised a further contribution of £1,000 from the Government. The minimum amount considered necessary to provide salaries and wages and other running-expenses, educational facilities, and to build up a Repairs and Renewals Fund was £14,000, which, under the proposed scheme, would be contributed to as under : — £ Government .. .. .. .. .. 8,000 Wellington City Council .. .. .. .. .. 2,000 Wellington Harbour Board .. . . . . .. .. 500 Boroughs up to twenty-five miles, at 3d. per head . . 445 Boroughs beyond twenty-five miles, at 2d. per head . . 825 Counties at Id. per head .. .. . . . . 275 1,545 Other sources .. .. . . . . . . 1,955 £14,000 A report of the Conference, with details of the scheme, was circulated to the various boroughs, Town Boards, and County Councils, but, while favourable replies were received from the Wellington City Council, Wellington Harbour Board, and nearby boroughs, the majority of the counties and more distant boroughs have not consented to make a contribution, and in consequence the revenue will fall considerably short of the total required. (This is dealt with in further detail in the Treasurer's report.) Unless further contributions are forthcoming from public or private sources, the activities and usefulness of the institutions must therefore be considerably restricted, particularly in the direction of providing travelling collections of pictures and museum exhibits for display in the country towns and schools. A number of valuable gifts has been made to the Art Gallery and Dominion Museum during the year ; and a residual bequest made by the late T. Lindsay Buick will later on provide a handsome fund for the purchase of pictures. The Board records its thanks for and appreciation of help and assistance received during the year from many quarters, including, inter alia, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Toe H, the Wellington Philosophical Society, Wellington Harbour Board, Railway Department, New Zealand Shipping Co., Ltd., and Union Steam Ship Co., Ltd. ; and the press and National Broadcasting Service for valuable publicity. M. J. Savage, Chairman. F. H. Bass, Secretary.

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NATIONAL ART GALLERY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1938. General. Ten meetings of the Committee, in addition to a large number of meetings of sub-committees, which meet frequently as occasion arises, were held during the twelve months under review. The period has been a busy one for the Art Gallery Management Committee and the staff. A number of special loan exhibitions were held during the year. The value of such exhibitions in maintaining interest in the Gallery and in furthering the public's appreciation of art is inestimable. Since the opening of the Gallery the Committee has been'fortunate in having had so many opportunities of obtaining collections of overseas pictures for exhibition. To the many New-Zealanders who are unable to travel to see at first hand the works of British and foreign artists, such exhibitions are particularly welcome. With the limited funds at its disposal, the Committee feels that the results achieved have been most satisfactory. The large attendances at exhibitions indicate that interest has been stimulated and maintained, and that from the point of view of public appreciation art has definitely advanced. Exhibitions. The following exhibitions were held during the year :— Exhibition of Old Masters. —A collection of fifty-five old masters, mostly of the Dutch and Flemish schools of the sixteenth and seventeenth century, was exhibited in the Gallery for one month in June and July. The thanks of the Trustees are due to the National Loan Collection Trust, London, who lent the pictures, which were sent to New Zealand through the Empire Art Loan Collections Society. The exhibition gave the public an opportunity of seeing pictures by old masters examples of whose work are rarely seen in this country. It was a most interesting exhibition and was fully appreciated by visitors. Included in the selection were paintings by Nicholas Bergem, Canaletto, Albert Cuyp, Van Dyck, Van Everdingen, Greuze, David de Heem, Van der Heyden, Hogarth, Van Huysum, Gabriel Metsu, Van Ostade, Rubens, David Teniers, and Van der Velde. Etchings from Twenty-one Gallenj.—Simultaneously with the exhibition of old masters there was shown in the Gallery a collection of etchings by modern British and foreign artists, kindly lent by the Twenty-one Gallery, London. Exhibition of August and September His Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, lent for exhibition a collection of his mezzotints and engravings. The collection contained beautiful prints by such renowned artists as Guiseppe Marchi, James Watson, David Lucas, Richard Earlom, John Raphael Smith, Valentine Green, and John Dixon. The Trustees wish to express their thanks for the loan of these works, and to record their appreciation of the kind and practical interest which His Excellency has.shown in the Gallery since its opening. British Present-day Printing.—ln August and September an exhibition of British present-day printing, arranged by the Graphic Arts Committee, was shown. The collection comprised pictorial posters by famous British artists and a comprehensive display of examples of modern printing. The exhibition was a result of a visit to England by Mr. L. T. Watkins, Wellington, Chairman of the Graphic Arts Committee. The Trustees desire to record their thanks to Mr. Watkins and to the British Federation of Master Printers for their kindness in collecting the exhibits from various railway and tourist companies, printing houses, and other business firms in England. The exhibition had a wide appeal for commercial artists, printers, and the public generally, and was undoubtedly of educational value. It has since been lent by the Management Committee to the authorities of the Galleries at Wanganui, Auckland, and Napier, and is to be offered to the Galleries of the South Island. "Contrast" Collection of Reproductions.—The "contrast" collection of facsimile reproductions consisting of sixty reproductions of pictures by old masters and modern painters, was exhibited during January and February. It is part of the collection presented to the National Gallery by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The pictures are arranged in groups of two or of three with an old master hung beside a modern painting of a similar subject, the idea being to show influences and contrasts. The Art Galleries of New Zealand are indebted to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for generously offering to provide funds to send the collection on a tour of New Zealand Art Galleries. The offer has been gratefully accepted, and the Management Committee is arranging an itinerary. Road-safety Posters. —During December a collection of entries for the road-safety poster competition, organized by the Transport Department, was shown in the Gallery. Canadian Contemporary Paintings.—ln March and April an exhibition of ninety-six Canadian contemporary paintings, sent on a tour of the British Dominions by the National Gallery of Canada on behalf of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, was shown. The project was sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York as part of its programme of assistance to the arts and sciences in the British Empire. This was the first exhibition of Canadian paintings held in New Zealand. It constituted a representative collection of the work which is being produced by Canadian present-day artists, and demonstrated that Canada has produced a number of talented painters with a fine sense of colour and design. The Management Committee has undertaken to arrange the New Zealand tour of the exhibition. The thanks of the Trustees are due to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for generously paying the expenses of the exhibition and to the authorities of the National Gallery of Canada for organizing the collection and for lending a number of their national pictures. Other Exhibitions. —The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts held its usual autumn and annual exhibitions in its Gallery during the year. In April, Mr. S. J. Lamorna Birch, the eminent Royal Academician, held an exhibition of his New Zealand and English paintings in the Academy's Gallery.

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All the exhibitions held during the year were very well attended. The Management Committee encourages the schools to send their pupils to the Gallery, and many parties of school-children visited the exhibitions and were admitted free of charge. Lectures. During exhibition times voluntary lectures and radio talks were given by members of the Management Committee and others. These were of great assistance to visitors in helping them to understand and enjoy the pictures. Mr. Arthur Lismer. Mr. Arthur Lismer, A.R.C.A., 0.5.A., Educational Supervisor of the Toronto Art Gallery, paid a visit to New Zealand in June. At the National Gallery he gave an interesting practical demonstration of the methods employed in Toronto for teaching art appreciation, particularly in regard to schoolchildren. Co-operation between Art School and Art Gallery. The Director of the Wellington Technical College has arranged for a teacher of the Art School to be available at the Gallery 011 two mornings a week to give talks on art appreciation to secondary-school pupils and children of the Fifth and Sixth Standards of the primary schools. The lectures were commenced in February and will be continued. Arrangement of Pictures. The Hanging Committee has rearranged and hung the National Collection pictures. This was: necessary as, owing to the large number of special exhibitions held, it had not been possible to make a proper arrangement of the pictures previously, besides which a change in the arrangement of the pictures revives and creates interest in the Gallery. New Zealand and Australian works have been hung in the east wing, British and foreign in the west wing, and two galleries of the east wing are devoted to portraits. The Hanging Committee has been active also in arranging to have proper storage accommodation and workroom facilities provided in the Gallery. Storage racks have been installed and work-benches and essential tools have been obtained. Muslin has been fixed over the sky-lights of the Galleries to tone down the light, which it was feared would fade the water-colours. The provision of blinds was considered, but as no completely satisfactory method of fixing and working them could be used they were not obtained. Catalogues. Next year it is intended to publish a comprehensive catalogue of the National Collection pictures, and preparatory work has been proceeding during the year. Full details regarding all pictures in the Collection have been obtained from old records and a card-index system has been compiled. A brief guide to the collections in the Art Gallery and Museum has been prepared and is to be issued shortly. Facsimile Reproductions. Last year's report made reference to the generous grant of £1,000 received from the Carnegie Corporation of New York for purchase of a collection of facsimile reproductions of pictures. Part of this grant has been expended by the Management Committee in purchasing the " contrast " collection, details of which are given elsewhere in this report. The sub-committee has spent much time in drawing up lists of pictures of which reproductions should be purchased and in obtaining quotations so that the complete Collection will be representative of every school of painting from the earliest primitives to the present day. The Gallery cannot possibly acquire a collection of works by old masters, and it is felt that the reproductions which are being obtained will be invaluable for educational work. Wilful Damage to Picture. A regrettable incident during the year was the wilful damage of the oil painting May Morning, by Harold Speed, in the National Collection. Unfortunately, the picture was mutilated beyond repair by a visitor to the Gallery. Press. The Committee desires to record its thanks and appreciation to the press for the support and publicity given through its columns in connection with exhibitions and other activities. Acquisitions. The Committee has no endowment available at present for purchasing pictures. The Gallery will, later on, benefit from the Sir Harold Beauchamp Endowment Fund (now approximately £12,000), the interest on which will be available for the purchase of pictures when it accumulates to £15,000 the " Ellen Eames Collection Fund," estimated to realize at least £20,000 ; and the Thomas Lindsay Buick Bequest, estimated to realize over £10,000. During the year, however, chiefly through the generosity of public-spirited citizens, a number of interesting works were added to the National Collection. The following is a list of the works acquired : — " Pines " (water-colour), by Frances Hodgkins. Presented by Mrs. Charles Elgar, Featherston. " Pohutukawas, Piha " (water-colour), by S. J. Lamorna Birch, R.A. Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clabburn, Wellington. " Portrait of His Grace Archbishop Redwood," by C. Porta. Presented by members of his family.

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Three engravings, " The Duke of Wellington," " Judge Chapman," and " Captain James Cook," bequeathed by the late Horace E. M. Fildes. "Anemones" and "Coast Scene" (water-colours), by T. A. McCormack. Purchased by the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts with funds granted by the Board of Governors of the Thomas George Macarthy Trust. A collection of early Worcester china, presented by Mrs. Ernest Makower, London. A number of pictures were lent for exhibition in the Gallery, including a portrait of Bishop Selwyn by Griffith, lent by the Centenary Committee of Diocese of Wellington. Thirty-four pictures oSered as gifts were declined as not reaching the standard required for a National Collection. The thanks of the Trustees and of the public are due to the donors for their generous and publicspirited gifts. E. D. Gore, Secretary to the Committee. ANNUAL REPORT OP THE DOMINION MUSEUM COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1938. Six meetings of the Committee were held during the year. Director. Under the auspices of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, on 7th March Dr. W. R. B. Oliver left on a trip abroad. He will visit leading museums in United States of America, after which he is to proceed to Europe and visit leading museums of Britain and the Continent. He will return to Wellington towards the end of the year. Museum Education Officer. In February, 1938, Mr. D. W. McKenzie was appointed Museum Education Officer, his salary being paid half by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and half by the Education Department. Educational Work. During 1937 the total attendances of school-children at the Museum lectures numbered 9,135. Each lecture included an exhibition of specimens, lantern-slides, and a film. Lectures this year commenced on Bth March, and up to 31st March attendances of school-children at Museum lectures have totalled 4,094, practically all lectures having been given by the Education Officer. An arrangement has been made with the Director of the Training College whereby various groups of at least six Training College students are present at the Museum throughout the year. These students assist the Education Officer in taking groups of school-children around the Museum exhibits, each student specializing on a selected subject. During part of the time the students are given instruction by officers of the Museum stall and attain to a degree of proficiency in certain aspects of museum technique. Educational work is so organized that the time available is used to the fullest extent. A general lecture is delivered daily ; and, in addition, each morning small groups of children are being given instruction in the Museum exhibition halls. About 1,200 pupils attend these classes weekly. Considerable support for the educational work of the Museum has been received from both the primary and secondary schools of the city and suburbs. The educational work has widened the sphere of activity of the Museum. Maori Collections. About sixty of the remaining cases of duplicate Maori material have been unpacked and their contents classified as a preliminary to a complete recataloguing of the whole collection, a work which has already commenced. The value of duplicate Maori material, both as a nucleus for future scientific investigation and as a means of furthering educational studies, is now recognized to be of growing importance. Necessary shelves and racks are being erected to hold the collections not yet classified. The principal additions by donations were four Maori stone adzes and one fishing-canoe prow, presented by Mr. H. G. J. Sinclair ; prow and stern-post of canoe, presented by Miss Hosking ; and twenty-two casts of Maori artifacts, presented by the British Museum. Foreign Ethnology. Several valuable donations to the collection of foreign ethnology have been received. Of these, the most important are a Malay kris from Mr. C. N. Taylor, nine articles from Mrs. T. F. Taylor, and a Samoan mat and a jar from Ellice Island from Mrs. H. F. Dykes. Visit of Carnegie Preparator. We are indebted to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for the visit of Mr. Frank Tose, Preparator. This visit was of great importance to museums in New Zealand, marking the inauguration of a new era in museum technique and display. For a period of about six weeks, extending from 13th December, 1937, to 31st January, 1938, Mr. Tose had his headquarters at the Dominion Museum, conducting a class composed of museum officers from various parts of the Dominion. Five members of the Dominion Museum staff thus received valuable training.

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Exchange of Exhibits. The circulation of exchange displays between the eight principal museums of New Zealand has continued throughout the year, transit costs being borne by the Carnegie Corporation. Some highly •educational exhibits have been the result; and the wide interest evidenced is adequate proof of their utility. Mammals. The stranding of a female and a calf of the toothed whale, Mesoplodon bowdoini, on the beach north of Levin provided the Museum with two complete skeletons of this species. The carcass was examined by the Director and two members of the staff, and the skeleton subsequently cut out and brought to the Museum for future treatment. This was the first occasion on which an actual specimen of this species in the flesh has been obtained, it having been previously known only from skeletons. During the visit to the Museum of Mr. P. Tose, a peccary was secured and mounted under his direction, the modern methods of taxidermy as practised in America being used. Fish Collections. During the year a number of small additions to the fish collection were made. Of these, the most important was a small example of Pseudopentaceros, of which very few examples have ever been taken in New Zealand. A large cast of a basking shark from Kapiti has now been placed on exhibition and is an outstanding feature of the collection of large representative fish from our seas. Bird Collections. The Museum is indebted to a wide circle of friends who have sent in bird specimens. Perhaps the most important was a specimen of the lesser frigate bird, Fregata, ariel, the fourth record from New Zealand, picked up at Day s Bay by Mr. F. E. Reeves. Other important accessions include the following : The almost complete skeleton of a moa, Megalapteryx hectori, from Takaka ; a collection of South American birds, presented by the Young Men's Christian Association; a pair of huia, presented by Mrs. J. M. Richardson ; and a collection of Australian birds, presented by Mr. M. Smith! By the generosity of the Otago University Museum, the only specimen of takahe, Notornis mantelli, existing in New Zealand has been received on loan for a short period. Entomological Department. During the past year progress has continued with the mounting and classifying of the collections of unset insects, and, with the exception of one collection, all the specimens of New Zealand insects are now mounted. Several large collections of foreign insects, however, have still to be dealt with. Several important accessions have been made during the year, mainly by exchange with overssas institutions. Foremost among these is the Deutsches Entomologisches Institut of Berlin, from which we have received, through Dr. Walther Horn, 380 specimens of European beetles and a number of specimens of European Apterygota. An exchange with Mr. J. L. Froggatt, New Guinea, brought thirty-seven species of harmful insects inhabiting the territory of New Guinea. Two specimens of the magnificent Madagascan moth, Argenia mittrei, were received from M. Raymond Decary. Mr. G. V. Hudson, of Karori, presented ninety-six specimens of New Zealand Geometridae and four specimens of New Zealand beetles which have been determined at the British Museum. Mr. A. Clarke, of Rarotonga, presented two beautiful specimens of Rarotongan Phasmidae. During the year a number of students, including overseas visitors to New Zealand, have studied the reference collections. Many inquiries have been answered and identifications made. Two papers, entitled " Descriptions and Notes on New Zealand Collembola " and " A New Fly, Diptera Anthomyidae, from New Zealand," were published by the Museum Entomologist in the " Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand," Vol. 67, December, 1937. Following on the visit of Mr. Tose, new methods now are being employed to prevent fading in the preparation of insects for display, and as a result it has been possible to remove several of the dark covers from the insect-cases. The increased interest in these cases shown by the public proves that this change has been very successful, and it is hoped in due course to be able to remove the dark covers from all display cases. An extensive exhibit depicting the story of silk, from the silk-worm egg to the finished silk articles, was placed on view during the year. Botanical Department. To stimulate interest in our native plants, an exhibition of live plant specimens was held in the Museum in December, 1937. Owing to the excellent response received throughout New Zealand we were enabled to exhibit six hundred species. This exhibition proved so successful that it has been decided to hold a similar exhibition annually. In this regard we wish to express our indebtedness to the Native Plant Preservation Society, the Wellington Beautifying Society, the Plant Research Station, the State Forest Service, the Arthur Pass National Park, and the Botanical Gardens in the main centres of New Zealand. A changing series of live botanical specimens and growing plants, many of which have been propagated at the Museum, is always on view. Many specimens have been collected and many presented for this purpose. Exhibits of this nature have proved of great interest to school-children and the general public. Under the Carnegie exchange scheme, a case illustrative of the kauri-tree and its products was set up as an exhibit for circulation among the New Zealand museums.

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An interesting and useful course was taken under the tuition of Mr. Tose, demonstrating the latest methods in use for plant modelling and display. Plants modelled included karaka, mistletoe, kauri,, and rangiora. Prior to incorporating the Petrie, Kirk, and Cockayne collections, the work of rearranging and sorting the Museum herbaria has been completed. Several students have visited the reference collections ; and a large number of identifications have' been made for the general public. This work is becoming increasingly important. Exhibits received on loan include a collection of photographs depicting New Zealand vegetation from Mr. J. Scott Thomson, a number of water-colour paintings of New Zealand fungi from Mrs, Pauline Spenser, and a dwarf Pinus from Messrs. L. Yen and Co. Gifts include a collection of edible seaweeds from Mr. Scarfe, specimens from Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island from Captain McComish, and a woolpack and mats manufactured from phormium fibre from the New Zealand Woolpack and Textile Co., Ltd. Geological Department. Preparations for several new exhibits in the geological section of the Museum have been commenced and a considerable amount of the necessary material collected. Important collections of minerals have been received from the Broken Hill Proprietary, Ltd., the Mount Lyell Mining Co., the Broken Hill Mining Managers' Association of Australia, and the Martha Gold-mining Co., Waihi. Many specimens have also been received from collectors in New Zealand, and numerous inquiries answered at the Museum. Ceramics. At the conclusion of the exhibition of Chinese art in Dunedin a considerable number of the pieces were lent to the Museum by Captain Humphries-Davies and remained on display for several months. Much of the permanent collection of ceramics material has perforce remained in the strong-room for the greater part of the year, but will be placed on exhibition as opportunities occur. Important donations to the collection during the past twelve months include two examples of spode ware from Stoke-on-Trent from Messrs. Copeland and Co., a loving-cup from Mr. L. J. E. Hooper (Doulton and Co.), and a saucer and bowl said to have been used by Captain James Cook on the " Endeavour " from Mr. J. L. Mercer. Photographic Department. A start was made during the past year with the printing and recording of the 9,000-odd unprinted negatives in the photographic collection, and to date 787 negatives have been printed and the prints mounted, titled, numbered, classified, and arranged in suitable covers. During the year 485 new negatives were made, of which 301 were added to the permanent collection. Considerable demands have been made on the lantern-slide system on account of the educational lectures to schools ; and 305 new slides were made during the year. The number of available lantern-slides now in the Museum totals 963 ; but three or four times this number will be required to cater at all adequately for all Museum subjects. Prints and enlargements totalling over 2,000 have been supplied for various purposes.. A 16 mm. film depicting Maori eel-fishing has been completed ; and a film entitled " New Zealand Thermal Regions " has been deposited on permanent loan by the Department of Tourist and Publicity. The Lecture Hall equipment has continued to give every satisfaction. Firearms. An interesting addition to the collection was a flint-lock musket with an unusually long barrel, and with various extras added by the negroes of Ashanti, where the weapon had been in use. It was presented by Mrs. Ballantyne. Another important addition is a fine example of a Japanese matchlock. Library. A limited number of purchases of books have been made during the past year. A valuable book,, entitled " Butterflies and Moths of New Zealand " (G. V. Hudson), was presented by Sir H. Beauchamp. A number of other donations to the library were received, including a number of publications from the British Museum of Natural History, from other museums, and from several citizens. Press and Radio. The press and National Broadcasting Service are thanked for their very acceptable assistance in directing attention to the Museum and its activities. Attendances. The attendances at the Museum are still maintained, particularly during the week-ends. The Museum has been well patronized by visiting tourists from tourist liners ; and the Railways Department's sight-seeing bus calls. Access to Museum. The City Council inaugurated a bus service from Government Buildings on Sunday afternoon, but the Committee considers that a regular tramway or bus service past the Museum would be a great convenience to visitors and would improve the attendance. During the Centennial Exhibition year such a service would be a real necessity. W. J. Phillipps, Acting-Director.

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CARILLON COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT FOR YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1938. The Committee has met as occasion required. Programmes of appropriate music continue to be played on Sundays and war anniversaries and broadcast once a month. Investigations continue to be made with a view to improving the transmission of the music over the air. The Carillon has been played solely by the mechanical equipment, programmes having been arranged from the thirty-five rolls of music provided by the Wellington War Memorial Carillon Society. A passenger lift has been installed in the Carillon Tower and visitors can now be conveyed to the clavier, from which a comprehensive view of Wellington is obtainable. It is now possible to arrange for the exhibition of war trophies, a great number of which are now being received by the Museum. With the assistance of ex-soldiers and Toe H the goods are being sorted and classified. They are to remain the property of the Museum, and exhibitions will be arranged from time to time. The interior of the campanile is still in a very rough state, but it is hoped that the necessary improvement will be made in the near future. The Wellington War Memorial Carillon Society (Incorporated) and the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association have taken a very active and beneficent interest in the completion of the National War Memorial, of which the Carillon forms part. The society obtained plans and sketches of the proposed Hall of Memories from Messrs. Gummer and Ford, the architects of the main block of buildings. These were submitted to the annual Conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, which unanimously resolved to ask the Government to erect the Hall of Memories and thus complete the National War Memorial. In due course the resolution was submitted to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, who extended to the deputation a sympathetic reception. The Committee desires to record its appreciation of the consideration of the Board of Trustees in providing funds for the erection of the lift. The technician has kept the machinery in good order, thus enabling the bells to be played at regular intervals, and the Committee records its appreciation of his work. Alfred Cowles, Chairman. John G. Osborne, Hon. Secretary. TREASURER'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1938. To the Chairman, — I beg to submit the following audited financial statements for the year Ist April, 1937, to the 31st March, 1938 :— (1) Main Income and Expenditure Account. (2) Tea-rooms Account. (3) Statement of Income and Expenditure Balances. (4) Balance-sheet. Balance-sheet. The assets have been maintained in the books at cost or valuation. The revenues of the Board will not permit the provision of depreciation, and, consequently, values at which the fixed assets stand (except land and ground improvements) are overstated. Tbe building, and, in fact, all the assets the values of which diminish, should be reduced each year by percentages fixed in regard to the life of each asset. For instance, 20 per cent, would not be too great a percentage to reduce the Cinematograph Equipment Account. Accumulated Fund. The surplus profit from the previous year's working was £401 7s. 9d., but this has been reduced by an amount of £70 12s. Id., made up of two sums—viz., £37 ss. sd. loss on the 1937-38 operations and the writing-off of a debt of £33 6s. Bd. due to the Board. Building Fund. _ A further contribution from the Employment moneys of £5,000 is still intact, but payment for the Carillon lift and the completion of the roading and grounds will probably be made during the coming year, when request will be made to the Employment Board to pay over this additional contribution. The sum of £28 was paid by subscribers to the Building Fund during the year, and the outstanding subscriptions at date total £1,082. Receipts are coming to hand very slowly. Main Income and Expenditure Account. Expenditure for the year exceeded income by £31 os. 3d. This is an actual cash loss, and should properly be increased by an amount for depreciation correctly chargeable to the Income and Expenditure Account. £8,521 was expended, the principal items being— £ Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 611 Fuel, light, water, and gas .. .. .. .. .. .. 765 Photographic supplies .. .. .. .. .. 107 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. . _ 14$

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The numerical strength of the stuff, including attendants and cleaners, but excluding tea-room manageress and assistants, as at the 31st March, 1938, was thirty-one. Income totalled £8,490 from these main sources :— £ New Zealand Government .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,000 Wellington City Council .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,000 New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts . . . . .. .. . . 200 Cloak-room receipts were £44 14s. Bd., and the collection boxes distributed throughout the building produced £27 os. 3d. Tea-room. The tea-room is opened on three days a week and holidays, and, although we received £711 last year, a loss of £6 ss. 2d. was shown. Only direct expenses —viz., cost of food, wages, laundering, &c. —are charged to this special account, the indirect, such as cleaning, heating, &c., remaining a charge on the Main Income and Expenditure Account. Mention should be made that with existing revenues no provision can be made for replacements of equipment due to breakages and losses. The tea-room is a decided adjunct to the building, and the service is provided with satisfaction to patrons. It is managed well and economically, and a little more patronage by the public would readily produce a credit instead of a debit balance. If I may say so, it would be a retrograde step to close the tea-room. General Remarks. A close investigation of expenditure, has been made, and to carry on the policy of the Board with reasonable satisfaction and to give inducement to the staff to display their enterprise and initiative a curtailment is practically out of the question. Fortunately, in the Dominion Museum the every-day expenditure, including salaries, is somewhat of a " capital " nature, in that assets such as specimens, exhibits, photographs, and films are produced and added to the existing articles brought into possession in past years, in many cases by purchase. Thus the Museum is kept more or less up to date out of " revenue " moneys. But such a position does not obtain in the Art Gallery. Acquisitions to the picture collection are made, but definitely not through the bank account of the Board. We certainly pay portion of the salaries and provide cleaners and attendants, light, &c., but we are unable to provide means to purchase additions to the collection. It is interesting to note here that the credit balance of the Empire Art Loan Collection Proceeds Account is only £310 55., while income from, the Sir Harold Beauchamp Trust does not yet accrue to the Board. From the last paragraph it will be seen that improvement in the financial position must be sought from " income." lam submitting a separate report on the " budget " question, and it can be accepted here that the additional income we will receive henceforward from the Government and local authorities will be required for working-expenses and depreciation. There will be very little left • with which to extend operations or to purchase additions to the collections in the Art Gallery or the Museum. The institution is in no sense commercial or trading, but it is reasonable to expect a measure of support from the public. A. contribution of £27 through voluntary collections for twelve months measures the support of the visiting public, as many as three thousand in one day. The public is the gainer ; much more important, future adult public are provided with educational facilities and given an opportunity whereby their artistic potentialities may be realized and developed all free of charge. After twenty months of operation it is quite evident that the public is not seized with the sense of its responsibility, perhaps through ignorance of the true position, and, in my opinion, the time has arrived when this situation must be remedied. I therefore submit for consideration and recommend that from the Ist July, 1938, an admission charge be imposed on certain days of the week, say Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. On these days, or other days decided upon by the Board, adults could be charged 6d. and children 3d. It could be explained in the press that all net revenue from admission charges will be utilized for specific purposes to be determined by the Board — for example, the purchase of pictures and specimens, or, say, to establish a special fund for the Centennial year. If criticism is levied on the Board by the public, the answer is obvious and has been covered earlier in this report. F. B. Dwyer, Treasurer. Main Income and Expenditure Account tor the Year Ist April, 1937, to the 31st March, 1938. Expenditure,. £ s. d. Income. Salaries .. .. ■ • • • • • 6,611 0 9 Contributions — £ s. d. £ s. d. Fuel, light, water, and gas .. .. .. 765 16 1 New Zealand Government .. 7,000 0 0 Photographic supplies .. .. ... 167 12 11 Wellington City Council.. .. 1,000 0 0 Advertising .. . . .. •• •• 22 17 6 Maslei'luri County Council .. 15 0 0 Printing and stationery .. •• •• 148 0 0 8,015 0 0 Freight and cartage .. .. •• •• 781111 Contribution towards salaries by New Zealand Subscriptions to societies .. .. .. 96 12 7 Academy of Fine Arts . . .. .. 200 0 0 Uniforms and overcoats . . . • •. 45 17 7 Donations .. .. .. .. .. 26 5 0 Travelling allowances and expenses .. .. 21 2 5 Catalogues, sales of .. .. .. .. 45 12 3 Telephones .. .. • • • • ■ • 79 16 8 Cloak-room receipts .. .. .. .. 44 14 8 Specimens and pictures, preparation of .. .. 130 10 9 Collection-boxes .. .. .. .. 27 0 3 Postage . • • • • • • ■ • • 84 9 0 Hire of Lecture Hall .. .. .. .. 22 1 0 Insurances .. .. .. •• 51 13 8 Sale Matthews Booklet: Net proceeds .. .. 1 17 11 Cleaning . . • • • • ■ - • • 63 19 9 Dutch and Flemish Exhibition : Gross proceeds .. 97 910 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. 40 11 5 Miscellaneous receipts . . .. .. 10 2 0 Audit fees .. .. 1970 Balance carried to Income and Expenditure Carillon Tower : Maintenance .. .. .. 10 17 1 Balances Account .. .. .. .. 31 0 3 Dutch and Flemish Exhibition .. .. 26 5 3 British Printing Exhibition .. .. .. 319 7 New South Wales Collection .. .. .. 16 2 5 Museum requisites .. .. .. .. 27 2 0 Contingencies .. . ■ • ■ • • 8 16 10 £8,521 3 2 £8,521 3 2

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Tea-rooms Account. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Foodstuffs .. .. .. .. . ■ 286 13 9 Receipts: Afternoon teas, suppers, lunches, &c. .. 711 2 1 Wages of manageress and service staff .. .. 381 17 4 Balance carried to Income and Expenditure Balances General expenses, laundering, flowers, &c. . . 48 16 2 Account .. .. .. .. .. 652 £717 7 3 £717 7 3 Income and Expenditure Balances as at 31st March, 1938. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Loss— Accumulated Fund Account .. .. .. 37 5 5 Main Income and Expenditure Account . . 31 0 3 Tea-rooms Account .. . . . . . . 6 5 2 £37 5 5 £37 5 5 Balance-sheet as at the 31st March, 1938. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. Capital liability— £ s. d. £ s. d. Land .. .. .. 30,000 0 0 Public subscriptions, including Buildings .. . . .. 194,378 1 10 net proceeds of carnival, and Approach steps and terraces . . 4,300 0 0 less subscription-collection ex- Ground improvements .. .. 5,622 6 8 penses .. .. .. 84,936 10 2 234,300 8 6 Accumulated in- Museum exhibits .. .. 50,047 8 10 terest on Art Gallery exhibits .. .. 27,000 0 0 fixed de- Furnishings .. .. .. 17,885 0 7 posits— £ s. d. Library . . .. .. 547 18 4 Public Trustee 13,750 13 3 Gardening-tools .. .. 6 15 0 Bank of New Mechanical appliances .. . 107 3 11 Zealand .. 105 15 0 Cinematograph equipment . . 665 4 0 Interest Tea-rooms equipment . . .. 659 3 11 credited to Tools .. . . . . 67 17 3 Current Ac- Photographic apparatus.. . . 99 14 1 count .. 1,380 7 0 97,086 511 15,236 15 3 Sir Harold Beauchamp Trust .. .. 57 3 7 New Zealand Academy of Fine Investment, Public Trustee .. 549 15 7 Arts: Value of picture collec- Advances .. . . .. 15 510 tion .. .. .. 27,000 0 0 Cash at bankers .. .. 689 14 3 New Zealand Go- 1,254 15 8 vernment contributions — £ s. d. Cash subsidy 100,000 0 0 Cash grant — Carillon Tower . . 15,000 0 0 Employment Fund .. 7,650 0 0 122,650 0 0 Land . . 30,000 0 0 Museum exhibits 50,000 0 0 Museum library 485 2 1 Furniture .. 333 0 2 Mechanical appliances .. 25 18 11 Tools . . 67 17 3 Photographic apparatus . . 99 14 I 81,011 12 6 330,834 17 11 Profits carried forward .. 401 7 9 Less adjustment on account of contributions 33 6 8 368 1 1 Less loss for present year .. 37 5 5 330 15 8 Special reserves — Empire Art Loan Collection .. 310 5 0 Chinese Art Exhibition .. 253 9 8 T. G. McCarthy Trust: Grant 190 0 0 Phar Lap Fund .. .. 84 0 0 Picture-purchase Fund .. 12 11 3 Sir Harold Beauchamp Trust Fund .. . . .. 57 3 7 Subscriptions Suspense Account 10 0 0 917 9 6 Sundry creditors .. .. .. 615 10 7 £332,698 13 8 £332,698 13 8 F. B. Dwyer, A.R.A.X.Z., Treasurer. The Audit Office, having examined the Balance-sheet and accompanying accounts, required by law to be audited, hereby certifies them to be correct —J. H. Fowler, Controller and Auditor-General. Approximate Cost of Paper.—-Preparation, not given ; printing (760 copies), £17 10s.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1938.

Price 6d.]

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