H.—32

Binding. It is again obvious that the sum provided for binding is quite inadequate for the work that has to be done. The binding of newspaper volumes alone absorbs more than £150 of the vote, and it is quite impossible out of the £500 provided to bind the regular official books and periodicals, and to do the current repairs that are needed. There are many volumes in a condition that demands rebinding, and the problem will have to be faced as soon as finances are available. The preservation of official papers and documents from the other Dominions and from neighbouring countries in the Pacific requires more careful attention. If they are not properly bound it is inevitable that they should go astray, and new copies will have to be purchased in future years at an enhanced cost. I hope that the binding vote will be sufficient to provide for this most important part of a parliamentary library's duty. Recess Privilege. The privilege of using the Library during the recess was granted to 944 persons, as compared with 817 last year. The gradual increase of the number is shown by the following figures : 1918-19, 289 ; 1919-20, 526 ; 1920-21, 757 ; 1921-22, 549 ; 1922-23, 611; 1923-24, 740; 1924-25, 670; 1925-26, 817 ; 1926-27, 944. The number of books taken out by recess privilege-holders was 12,649, an increase of 34 per cent, on the preceding recess. The users of this privilege have, as a rule, carefully observed the regulations of the Library. Very few have caused any trouble at all. The occupations of the privilege-holders are stated as follows : Accountants, 35 ; architects, 2 ; artists, 8 ; baker, 1 ; bankers, 17 ; biologist, 1 ; builders, 7 ; carpenters, 3 ; chemists, 5 ; Civil servants, 172 ; clergymen, 20 ; clerks, 95 ; conchologist, 1 ; dentists, 4 ; domestic duties, 122 ; draughtsmen, 8 ; electrical engineers, 5 ; electric wiremen, 2 ; civil engineers, 6 ; mechanical engineers, 2 ; farmers, 4 ; garage-proprietor, 1 ; gardeners, 4 ; hairdresser, 1 ; hotelkeeper, 1 ; inspectors of schools, 5 ; insurance agents, 5 ; journalists, 22 ; labourers, 9 ; land agents, 5 ; law clerks, 26 ; manufacturers, 5 ; mechanic, 1 ; medical practitioners, 15 ; merchants, 27 ; messengers, 15 ; military officers, 4 ; musicians, 4 ; naval officers, 2 ; no occupation, 84 ; nurses, 12 ; painter, 1 ; photographers, 3 ; palaeontologist, 1 ; piano-tuner, ] ; police constables, 3 ; printers, 5 ; retired Civil servants, 41 ; salesmen, 10 ; shop assistants, 3 ; stenographers, 5 ; students, 23 ; surveyors, 2 ; tailor, 1 ; teachers, 60 ; trade-union secretary, 1 ; typists, 14 ; waiters, 2. In conclusion, I wish to thank the Library Committee for their sympathetic assistance and advice, and the Government for the generous manner in which it has provided for the necessary alterations and additional shelving. To members of Parliament I am very grateful for the helpful manner in which they have assisted the staff. By registering all books taken out, and returning them as promptly as possible after using, they enable the Library to attain efficiency and to be of the greatest service to all. The balance-sheet, with the Auditor-General's certificate, is appended." I have, &c., G. H. Sc'TIOLEFIELD, Chief Librarian. LIBRARY FUND ACCOUNT. Statement foe the Year ended 31st March, 1927. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance, Ist April, 1926 .. 627 12 4 By Purchase of books and periodicals in— Annual grant .. .. .. 700 0 0 United Kingdom .. .. .. 405 11 2 Private Bills fees .. .. .. 75 0 0 United States .. .. .. 24 12 11 Australia .. .. .. 27 19 0 New Zealand .. .. .. 312 12 0 Insurance .. .. .. 8 3 4 Cheque-book .. .. .. 0 10 0 Petty cash .. .. .. 13 2 Balance 31st March, 1927— £ s. d. Bank of New Zealand 620 4 6 In hand .. .. 1 16 3 622 0 9 £1,402 12 4 £1,402 12 4 ===== j = Bth July, 1927. G. H. Scholefield, Chief Librarian. Examined and found correct. —G. P. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given: printing (500 copies), £2 10s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 927.

Price 3d.]

2