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of either branch of the Legislature, and to those on the full-privilege list, no fiction is issued. A detailed list showing the professions, trades, occupations, &c, of those receiving recess-privileges is at the disposal of members. The Library is greatly used by officials of the various Departments for consultation purposes, and a very large number of persons not on the privilege list are permitted to make temporary use of the institution. The number of letters making inquiries upon various subjects, received from all over the Dominion, is steadily increasing, and there can be little doubt that the public utility of the institution is now very widely recognized. Library Renovation. It is a matter for some satisfaction that the much-needed repainting and renovation of the Library walls, &c, has at length been carried out in a practical and efficient way by the Public Works Department. New and suitable tables for current official files have been placed in the main lobby, and. in other directions improvements have been effected. The old post-office, next to the Chief Librarian's office, has been enclosed with windows, &c, certain shelving being fixed up. The result will be that a much more orderly and convenient arrangement of new books, periodicals, &c, as they arrive, is now possible. A second typewriting-machine is badly needed in the Library. The one in use has been so employed for nearly twenty years, and while it may still be available as a stand-by, a new machine is urgently required, and will be, I hope, provided. Miscellaneous. The usual monthly lists of accessions have been issued during the recess, and an unusually large number of baskets have been sent out to members all over the Dominion. I have to express my thanks to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Joint Library Committee, the Hon. W. H. Triggs, M.L.C., and Mr. J. McC. Dickson, M.P., and to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Recess Library Committee, Sir John Luke, M.P., and the Hon. Dr. Collins, M.L.C., for the attention these gentlemen have given to Library matters during the year ; also to the High Commissioner and his staff for the promptitude and care which they have displayed in attending to Library business in London. Library Accounts. In an appendix will be found the Library balance-sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1924, together with a copy of the Auditor's certificate. I have, &c, Charles Wilson, Chief Librarian. APPENDIX. GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY. Balance-sheet for the Year ended 31st March, 1924. Receipts. £ s. d. Mxpendit/ure. £ s. d. Balance, Ist April, 1924 .. .. 314 15 I Purchase books and periodicals in Croat Annual grant .. .. .. .. 700 0 0 Britain .. .. .. 251 16 7 Private Bill fees .. .. .. 75 0 0 Purchase periodicals, American .. .. 14 0 4 Sundries .. .. .. .. 1 1 11 Purchase books and periodicals in New Zealand .. .. .. 367 12 2 Fire-insurance .. .. .. 7 18 8 Sundries .. .. .. .. 0 4 0 £ s. d. Balance, 31st March, 1924 .. 505 17 8 Cash in hand. .. .. 7 9 11 513 7 7 Less unpresentedfeheque .. 64 8 4 448 19 3 £1,090 17 0 £1,090 17 0 Examined and found correct —C. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.--Ist July, 1924.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (475 copies), £2 15s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.— l924.

Price 3d.]