H.—22.

1 was passed conditionally that it should not be exhibited to persons under sixteen years of age. Five appeals were lodged against the Censor's decisions. In one case the Censor's decision was reversed, and in four cases it was upheld. An analysis of the work shows : —

Quota Films. —The countries of origin of the quota films were as follows : Great Britain 113, Australia 7, Canada 1, United States of America 354, France 2, Germany 4. Rejections. —Of the twenty-eight films which were rejected, nineteen were " quota " and nine " non-quota." Two of the quota films were British, one was German, and sixteen were from the United States of America, while the nine non-quota films were all from the United States of America. Dominion Museum. Preparations for New Museum. —The new Museum building will be completed in a year's time, and, after furnishing, will be ready for occupation. The work of the staff has accordingly been directed as much as possible towards the preparation of exhibits and labels suitable for the new showcases. The endeavour is to give an educational bias to the exhibits, and this has entailed a considerable amount of research for the compilation of labels. Descriptive labels are being prepared for all subjects, and it is hoped that at the time of the opening of the new Museum a sufficient number will be completed to make an adequate showing. The preparation of new labels has been made necessary, as the space to be occupied by the new building is much more extensive than in the old, where, indeed, only a portion of the specimens can be exhibited. For this reason, in some departments, it is necessary to obtain additional exhibits. Several fishes have been obtained locally and casts made, while efforts are being made to increase certain branches of the geological and botanical sections. Some Government Departments and private firms have been approached and have promised to assist as far as is in their power. In order to complete a programme adequate for opening the new Museum, however, it will be necessary to purchase and collect some additional specimens. In the case of certain sections of the Museum —namely, astronomy, oceanography, meteorology, and New Zealand history —the exhibition will be essentially by pictures, maps, and diagrams. Work in these departments is proceeding, mainly on account of gifts by the Wellington Harbour Board, the cost of preparation being derived from an amount of £225 allocated from the interest accrued on the donation to the Building Fund of the new Museum before it was transferred to the Trustees. In other departments the preparation of pictures is proceeding more slowly, as the Museum has no facilities for making photographic enlargements, nor any artist assistant for making diagrams. A considerable extension in the numbers of wall pictures and diagrams is, however, necessary if the Museum is to be adequately furnished on the opening-day. Collections. —Judging by the additions to the collections through gifts, it is apparent that public interest in the Museum is increasing ; and there can be little doubt that this is due to the fact that the new building is nearing completion. Among the Maori artifacts received by donation was an old historic greenstone mere presented by Mr. W. H. Tripe. Other donations of especial interest were a wakarapa or fishing trap presented by Mr. L. S. Mackie, an old wakakereru presented by Mrs. J. J. Clark, an old Maori paddle presented by Mr. J. H. E. Tilling, a specimen of the Kerguelen petrel (first record of the species in New Zealand) presented by Mr. H. A. Fraser, a number of fishes from Mr. A. Tait; also a rare shark, Acanthidium, from New Zealand Fisheries, Ltd., and a large sting-ray taken at Seatoun by Mr. L. E. Benge. Numerous specimens, photographic slides, and blocks, prepared in connection with his studies in coal and botany, have been presented by Mr. H. W. Lawton. Among the specimens received by exchange were bones of the giant birds of Madagascar (Aepyornis and others), useful for comparing with those of the moas, and a selection of Arctic species received from the Stockholm Museum. A specimen of the crab-eating seal which came ashore at Petone was acquired for the Museum. This is the fourth record of the species in New Zealand. Alexander Turnbull Library. Cataloguing.—The number of volumes classified, numbered, and arranged on the shelves is now 44,000. About 200 were sent for binding. In addition, over 400 volumes of the New Zealand Philatelic Society's collection of philatelic literature, housed in the library, have been catalogued, also about 200 MS. letters. The cataloguing of about 600 prints and sketches kept in Solander case's has been completed.

14

Quota or Long Films. Non-quota or Short Films. Origin. r- ; : —r; —\ —■—; ; —— tNumber. Length. Number. Length. Ft. Ft. British .. .. .. 121 868,300 554 562,820 Foreign .. .. .. 360 2,679,390 1,136 1,203,900 481 3,547,690 1,690 1,766,720