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Acquisition*.—Among the many donations received, the following may be selected for mention: Mr. W. R. Oliver presented a number of botanical and zoological specimens, obtained at the Kermadec Islands by a small party of which he was a member. Moriori articles presented by Miss S. I). Shand, Chatham Islands. Mr. T. Knight donated a Maori coffin, not before represented in the collections: and an anonymous donor gave a pair of hand wool-combers used in Bradford in, 1830. The Canterbury Philosophical Institute presented a selection of botanical and zoological specimens obtained during the Subantarctic Expedition, and rock-specimens taken during the (wring of the Arthur's Pass tunnel; while Sir Erneet Shackleton donated some interesting rocks, fishes, and a king penguin secured by the British Antarctic Expedition. The Rev. E. Eliot Chambers presented a fine copy of the first edition of the authorized version of the Holy Bible, generally known as the "He" Bible, 1611. The donations to the Early Colonists Section are referred to later. Three useful show-cases were leceived on perpetual loan from the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, while a valuable set of carved ivory chessmen was deposited by Mr. G. W. Hungerford, and an old Latin Bible, dated 1617, by Mr. W. Williams. The " Hon. Roddy " gold nugget, the largest found in New Zealand, was kindly lent to me by the owner, Mr. Pedrazzi, and 1 had a cast made of it for exhibition purposes. Useful exchanges were made with the Australian Museum, Sydney ; the Tasmanian Museum, Hobart; and the Wanganui Museum ; also with the Zoological Institute, Frankfort, Germany. An interchange of New Zealand insects took place with Mr. Howes. Among the purchases may be enumerated models of the Cullinan diamond, in the natural state, also the most important brilliants cut from it. The collection of models of celebrated diamonds was increased by the addition of many notable facsimiles not hitherto represented. A beautiful example of a Maori berry-pounder and mortar was purchased, the collection not before including a mortar, though possessing several pounders; an interesting flint-lock pistol-shaped tinder-box was also obtained. Among other zoological objects secured, an egg of an apteryx, or kiwi, may be mentioned. Early Colonists Section. —In his annual report for 1908 the Chairman (Mr. G. W. Russell) stated that ,; It would be an excellent idea if the Board were to establish, in connection with the Museum, a section relating to the early colonists." Active steps were taken to carry this into effect, the result being the formation of an influential committee of citizens to work in conjunction with the Board. The Assistant-Curator was appointed secretary to the joint committee, which held six meetings during the half-year following its inauguration. Already many interesting and historically valuable objects and documents have been donated to the Museum, such as a collection of lantern-slides and negatives illustrative of early Canterbury, portraits of early settlers, publications dealing with the early history of the Dominion, sailingnotice of the ship " Dominion," 1851, and various papers of historical interest. In addition to the donations already received, promises of help in the direction of securing documents and articles of historical interest have been made by Lord Kilbracken and other distinguished early colonists, or their representatives, now resident in Europe. Within the Dominion itself promises of substantial assistance have been received from several quarters. Special mention may be made of the offer of the " Lyttelton Times " Company, which has placed the services of its process staff at the disposal of the committee for the purpose of copying old photographs or pictures. It is anticipated that in time a very large amount of valuable historical material will accumulate. In the absence of adequate space for displaying the collection, it is at present housed in the strongroom of the Museum, and, as above mentioned, the question of dealing adequately with the material will engage the attention of the Board during the coming year. The Second Part of the 'Records" of the Museum was issued on the 13th July, and was devoted to the " Scientific Results of the New Zealand Government Trawling Expedition." The introduction and fishes (in part) were contributed by myself, and the thanks of the Board are due to the following gentlemen who gratuitously supplied their respective accounts: Mr. R. M. Laing, Seaweeds; Professor W. B. Benham, Worms and Starfishes, &c.; and Mr. H. Suter, Mollusca. The part was published by the Government, and I desire to thank the Government Printer for the admirable way in which he printed the work. It comprises 116 pages, and is illustrated with twenty-three plates and several text figures. Dr. Chilton is examining the crustaceans obtained, while the other invertebrates have been distributed for report. I am working at the remainder of the fishes as opportunity occurs, and, as the next contribution will deal with economic species, I suggest that the Government should be asked to complete the publication of the report. Other papers written by me during the year are " Vertebrata of the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand"; "The Fishes of the British Antarctic Expedition"; "The Fishes of the Kermadec and Norfolk Islands": and "Notes on New Zealand Fishes." Mr. Speight, Assistant Curator, has produced " Evidence of the Former Existence of a Tropical Pacific Continent " ; " Geological Notes on the West Coast Sounds " ; " Geology of the Auckland, Antipodes, and Bounty Islands " : and " Contribution to a Government Report on Sand-dunes." General. —During the year I placed one of the tanks and water-supply at the disposal of the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, and Dr. Farr and Mr. Florance were thereby enabled to conduct some investigations into the effect of the artesian waters upon trout and other fishes. The six weeks' vacation granted to me was spent in Tasmania and Australia, and resulted in negotiating exchanges with the principal museums. I also gleaned some useful information as a result of visits paid to the Mitchell Library, Sydney, by courtesy of the Librarian, the institution not then being open to the public. The amount realized by the sale of the Museum Guide-book was equal to the average; but, as the price was reduced from 2s. 6d. to Is., the sales increased by 150 per cent. The primary or educational purposes of the work was therefore fulfilled. TTie insistent, inquiries for " postcards of the whale's skeleton " led me to consider the question, and I made Hti arrangement with the Press Company. About nine hundred cards were sold during the year, a number which would have been largely increased had they been available when the gallery was first opened.