H.—32

Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY (REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1922-23).

Laid on the Table of the House of Bepreseiitatives by heave.

The Chte_ Librarian to the Chairman of the Joint Library Committee. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report for the year 1922-23 : — Recess Library Committee. The Recess Library Committee, under the chairmanship of the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., held three meetings during the recess. Lists of books suggested for order by the Chief Librarian were brought before the Committee and duly considered. Additions to the Library. 1 am pleased to be able to chronicle a considerable, increase in the number of catalogued accessions for the last twelve months as compared with the number of similar accessions during the immediately preceding annual period, the Accession Register showing a total of 2,684 catalogued items, as against 1,663 for the preceding year, 1921-22. This very substantial increase is to be accounted for in some degree by the fact that the annual grant was supplemented last year by £100, and also as a result of considerable savings effected in the expenditure upon periodicals, thus allowing more money to be, expended on publications of more permanent interest and value. The Library grant this year, £700, is still, so I feel it my duty to point out, much below the sum really necessary if the Library is to be kept thoroughly well up to date. Even now, with the additional £100 voted last year, it is only £100 more than it was in 1875 —forty-eight years ago. Apart from the fact that there has been of late years a most substantial increase in the prices of all kinds of books and periodicals (in many instances as high as 30 to 40 per cent.), which has greatly reduced the purchasing-power of the sum available, the numerous new political, economic, industrial, and social problems which have come into prominence since the Great War have been responsible for a huge bulk of new literature, much if not all of which it is most desirable should be available for reference and study by members of the Legislature. Special attention, has been paid during the year to strengthening, as far as funds would allow, the Sociology and Economics section, but much more could and ought to be done in this direction did the Library finances permit. The Library is so important a part of the legislative, machine that I would again point out that the means at present as the disposal of the Selection Committee are still insufficient to keep the institution adequately snpplied with the best literature on the more important questions of the day. Library Staff Changes. During the year Messrs. H. L. James and J. J. Costall have resigned their positions on the staff, the former, lam sorry to say, through continued ill health. Mr. James's scholarly attainments, his expert knowledge of bibliography, and the zeal with which he performed his duties had made him for many years a most valuable member of the staff. It is only fitting that mention should be made here of the splendid bibliographical work he did some years ago in the compilation and editing of the Library main catalogue and its supplements, work which was most favourably commented upon by library experts in Great Britain and the United States. Mr. Costall's face will bo greatly missed, especially by the older members of the Legislature. He had been employed in the Library for over forty years, and had earned an excellent reputation as a public servant by the unfailing industry and courtesy which he exhibited in the discharge of his duties. Since Mr. James's retirement most of the work formerly performed by him has fallen upon Mr. P. McColl, another old officer of the Library staff. Much additional work has been thrown upon the staff by the retirement of Messrs. James and Costall, and I desire to express my thanks to the various officers for the assiduity they have all displayed in coping with the extra work thrown upon them. During the year Mr. W. Wood joined the Library staff. A well-educated man, he has quickly picked up routine details, and bids fair to become a very valuable member of the staff. It would be of great advantage to the efficient working of the Library were a junior, a cadet, either male or female, to be appointed, one who is capable of taking a moderately quick shorthand note and who is a good typist. The correspondence has of late years increased to such an extent as to entail a serious demand upon my time. Were a regular typist appointed ho or she would be able to fill in his or her time with typewriting the catalogue cards. At present these are written, but in