4

1.—7

39. And your opinion is that a Board representing historical and scientific interests and various sciences would show more interest in the management of the Institute—would represent new ideas and work in new directions in which you are largely interested : that is the idea you hare?—Yes. 40. And having the different interests represented on the Board it would be a great help to you and through you to the Minister?—-Yes. 41. Hon. Mr. Herdman.] There is no doubt that the Boards act satisfactorily in Sydney and M elbourne ?—Certainly. 42. Then I understand from yon that the same principle works well in the British Museum? — Yes, a Board of Trustees. 43. Is there any analogy at all between the Printing Office and the Museum?—No. 44. The Museum is a purely scientific institution?—Yes. 45. And following up the question asked by Mr. Ell just now, J take it that you consider you would be assisted in the control of the Museum by a Board of gentlemen taking an interest in scientific matters, and that you would be able to glean advice from a wider field: is that so? —Yes. 46. While you are Director of the Museum you are under the control of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and you feel that you would be able to perform your duties better if you were helped by other gentlemen who took an interest in science?—Outside the staff? 47. Yes, outside the staff!—Yes. 48. For instance, Professor David, I take it, would be of tremendous assistance to the people in Sydney?—Yes. 49. Having the assistance of the members of a Board you would be bringing your institution into closei , touch with the people : is that not so?—That is so. 50. Mr. Russell appears to object to Ministerial control being done away with, but would that be so—the Minister of Internal Affairs w r ould still be in control?—Yes, he would still be in control. I do not want to follow the New South Wales Act in that detail. I would prefer the final control of the Minister. 51. At any rate, the Board cannot spend more than Parliament grants?—No. 52. Mr. Ell.] Suppose you had a Director of the Museum who was deeply interested in fish, such as Mr. Waite, of the Christchuvch Museum : would it not be a great help to the Director to have some one also who is equally interested in Maori history?—lt is the duty of the Museum to cater for all scientific classes, and if there were a specialist who was working to the disadvantage of the public the attention of the Hoard would be drawn to it. 53. Mr. Anderson.] The conditions of the Museum are not at all ■Satisfactory so far as the exhibits are concerned?—Not at all; the accommodation at present is quite inadequate. 54. If you had had this Board of advice you w r ould have been able to induce the Government to assist you in some direction?— Yes. I am pleased to be able to say that I have had every assistance from the Ministers who have been in charge of this Department. 55. Mr. Russell.] Why is it that you have never made any report to the Minister with regard to the Museum?—The reason is that under the New Zealand Institute Act, which was altered in 1903, the whole arrangement of tilings was scattered. The last report of the Museum was in 1893, and a report headed " Thirty-second Annual Report " was made in 1898. but this was really the Thirtieth Report of the New Zealand Institute'and Geological Survey. After that the Museum was placed under the Minister of Internal Affairs, and no report was presented. 56. Have you forwarded an annual report to the Minister?—No. 57. Do you not think that if you had forwarded an annual report containing your statement o,f all the points and recommendations that in the ordinary course had occurred the Minister would have laid that before the House?—I have no doubt he would. 58. Then, why do you regard it as necessary to have a Board of Control in order to secure the presentation by yourself of a reporF?-—The report would probably be that of the Board. I should report to the Board, and the)' would report to Parliament. 59. I suppose you are aware that all heads of Departments forward annual reports to their Minister ?—Yes. 60. Why should there be any exception in your case?—I do not know. 61. Do you mean that the report has not been asked for?—l have never been called upon for one. It was not given by ray predecessors except under the old system done away with in 1903.

Thursday, 29th Augcst, 1912. Percy Gates Mougan, Director of Geological Survey, examined. (No. 2.) 1. The Chairman.] We would like to know, Mr. Morgan, the mode in which your annual reports are brought out, to whom they are presented, and what provision is made for the printing of them—that is, under whose recommendation they are printed—also any information you can give us on that point?—We publish an animal report every year, and besides that two or three bulletins. These are sent in to the Under-Secretary and approved by him, and they are sent by the Under-Secretary to the Government Printer. 2. The Under-Secretary for?— Mines. 3. Are you alone responsible for the matter that is in your bulletins.-—I suppose, practically, I am responsible for that. I go over them, of course. All that goes from our office to the Printing Office T read and revise.