FL—22.

Since Sir Joseph. Kinsey was agent for several of tie Antarctic expeditions lie was in a position to secure notable records concerning them, and this led him to collect generally in the subject. Not only did he secure all the most important books he could, but procured also a certain amount on the North Polar regions'as well. Association books, logs, and letters comprise important sections of the group. The Butler collection was perhaps Sir Joseph's greatest enthusiasm, for he made it as complete as possible. It is additionally strong with manuscript material, while every- early edition of Samuel Butler's works was on his shelves. In addition, there was Butler's association with Canterbury that made it a particularly appealing field for a Christchurch collector. It is pleasing to see a certain number of bibliographical books, as well as standard reference works, most of which were not on our shelves. Modern English literature is reasonably well represented ; in fact, much of the best reading matter of the last thirty-six years or more is present. Biography and travel have received noticeable attention. In particular, appreciable additions are standard sets of a number of authors in whom we had little or no representation before. Examples are Kipling, George Eliot, Samuel Richardson, " Mark Twain," and Ambrose Bierce. The New Zealand collection, while inevitably duplicating much of our present holdings —no bad thing, for in many cases books receiving considerable use are already showing the strain —undoubtedly adds a number of volumes not hitherto obtainable. A small amount of manuscript, principally by John White (author of " The Ancient History of the Maori ") is very welcome, and in addition there are several volumes of typed letters, diaries, &c., taken from original documents apparently in private hands. The scarcer New Zealand books are in evidence, as well as numerous pamphlets It is observed that a small group of ancient books in the Kinsey collection proves both important and interesting. There is the 1612 edition of Golding's " Translation of Ovid." This version, in probably an earlier edition, was used by Shakespeare, as is evident from his quotations, which are numerous. From the point of view of printing, there are good books from the presses of Elzevir of Leyden (including some octavo sizes, rare because the duodecimo was almost universal with this house of printers), of Plantin-Moretus of Antwerp, and of Froben of Basle. It was pleasing to see a noble volume from the press of Henri Estienne, the royal printer of Paris, printed in the fine Roman and Greek characters, for which he was famous. There is one item of incunabula, Bartholomaeus of Platina's " Lives of the Popes," printed by Johannes Vercellensis at Treviso in 1485. It is an important work and in excellent condition. An early Bible printed in a fine italic type at Basle in 1551. has considerable status typographically. There is an excellent group of books from, modern presses, and this swells the collection in the library with very worthy additions. Two early geographical works are held by scholars in certain esteem. These are those of Ptolomy and Strabo, the latter in Latin and the former in Italian. The Ptolomy is profusely illustrated with maps (copper-plate engravings). Both are sixteenth century works, and are in good condition. The group forms a brief survey of the learning and reading of four centuries ago, and use for it is contemplated later in exhibitions. Travel and exploration books are numerous, and of these alpine literature has been made a speciality. Books on ships and shipping are well in evidence. Association books include manuscript inscriptions by the following : Captain Scott, Shackleton, Mawson, Galsworthy, Butler, Festing Jones, 0. T. J. Alpers, " Mark Twain," and many others Next in importance is the small but choice collection of the late Mr. Henry Wright, of Wellington. It contains about five hundred volumes, and is devoted to relatively unusual subjects such as mythology, archaeology, ancient history and custom, religion and psychology (whereof sex psychology forms a large group). It is essentially a student's collection, much of it most difficult to secure nowadays, and rare accordingly. Cataloguing of the whole group has now been completed and it is available for study. It may be pointed out that many of these books, by reason of both subject and this particular collector's type of marginalia, fall into a class that requires some circumspection in making available. They are regarded, therefore, as manuscript and rare books, with appropriate restrictions. It is pleasing to record the arrival of the first group of books presented by Sir Harold Beauchamp as a memorial to his daughter, Katherine Mansfield. It was reported, last year that a complete set of her works was to be obtained and bound or cased by Zaehnsdorf, of London. The binding of the volumes received is most pleasing and accords well with the atmosphere created by the beautiful bindings in which the late Mr. Turnbull delighted. The style is red morocco with gold tooling depicting the Ivowhai flower. • It is desired to express special appreciation of the most useful series of book catalogues received from Messrs. Maggs Bros., of London. They are classics of their kind, handsome in production, and scholarly and full in their compilation.

Principal Donations.

21

Donor. Title of Donation. Author, Ac. Melanesian Mission, British Solomon Islands Numerous pamphlets from the press State Forest Service, Wellington . . . . The Trees of New Zealand . . . . L. Cockayne and E. Phillips Turner. Simpson and Williams, Christchurch .. The Dominion of New Zealand .. .. R. Wedderspoon. „ The N.Z. Tourist Guide . . ., G. Miller, Palmerston North .. .. Robert Mitchell .. .. .. E.M.Wood. )( „ .. . . Old and New Edinburgh (30 parts) „ .... London Stories Mrs. A. Woodhouse, St. Andrews .. The Polytechnic Jubilee (1882-1932) )t .. St. David's Memorial Church W. F. Darby, Auckland .. .. The World's Greatest Power—Woman ..