H.-32

1907. NEW ZEALAND.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRABY: REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1906-7.

Laid on the Table by Leave of the House.

The Chief Librarian to the Chairman of the Joint Library Committee. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith the following report for the year 1906-7: Recess Library Committee. This Committee, under the chairmanship of W. Eraser, Esq., M.H.8., held four meetings during the recess. Two special meetings were held, when lists of books for order were brought forward by the Chief Librarian and duly considered. The books the purchase of which was authorised at the meeting held on the 19th December have arrived, and are now on the Library tables in the main reading-room. A second order was sent to London on the 17th May. The works enumerated in this order are expected here early next month. Special attention has been paid this recess to scientific and technological works, and in two or three classes the Library has been brought much more up to date. Representations having been made to me, however, that the Law Library required strengthening, a number of law-books, selected by Mr. Hanan, M.H.R., have been ordered, and will be here before the end of the session. I would suggest that the amount of £50 be set aside for the immediate purchase of other law-books, such books to be selected by a special sub-committee, which might, if considered desirable, take the advice of some of the legal members of the two Chambers. Recess Privileges. The number of persons (independent of those on the " full privilege " list) to whom the privileges of the Library have been granted during the recess was 452, the number of volumes taken out being over five thousand. There has been, so far as I can ascertain, no loss of or damage to the books so borrowed. It is very pleasing to again note a steady improvement in the class of works favoured by borrowers. Technological and scientific works have been largely consulted, and there can be no doubt that the privilege is most gratefully appreciated by the more intellectual class among the reading people of Wellington. No novels, save what might lie called classic English fiction, are issued to the holders of the ordinary recess privileges. The value of the fine collection of bound newspapers and official records of all kinds stored in the Library has been increasingly testified to by the large numbers of persons, in many cases from distant parts of the colony, who have come here to consult and take extracts from these valuable records. It is quite evident that as years go by this Library will be regarded as a truly National Reference Library, serving the same purpose with regard to New Zealand as the British Museum does to the United Kingdom. ■Books sent to Members. A large number of baskets, containing books of all kinds, have been sent out to members during the recess. I would ask members not to send back these baskets through the various express companies, but to forward them through the Post Office. Payment of the postage is made at this end by means of official stamps attached to debit vouchers issued to me by the Post Office.