H.—32

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.