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Geological Department. Two new exhibits were placed on view during the year. One—a display of New Zealand buildingstones —shows polished samples of nearly all stones that have been used in New Zealand for building purposes, indicates their weathering-properties, their classification, and the various ways in which they are used. The exhibit includes a map of New Zealand showing the localities of the different quarries, and several instructive photographs. The whole is electrically lit from within by concealed lights, and makes a highly attractive as well as an informative display. For the specimens of stones the Museum is indebted principally to Dr. P. Marshall; but the Fletcher Construction Co., Wellington, and R. Glover and Sons, of Wellington, also have kindly presented several pieces. The second exhibit depicts " The Story of Iron " from the ore to the finished manufactured products. Most of this material was the gift of the Broken Hill Proprietary, Ltd. Commencing with samples of minerals, the various processes of manufacturing pig iron, cast iron, steel, and alloy steels are shown by specimens, diagrams, and photographs. Finally, the importance of the iron and steel industry in the various branches of structural and mechanical engineering is stressed by specimens and photographs. Photographs also show the use of iron in artistic endeavour. During the year a commencement was made with the unpacking and classification of the mineral collection, cardboard boxes with partitions being used as storage receptacles ; but these are not very satisfactory. The mineral collection, which is quite extensive, cannot be adequately and conveniently housed until properly designed and built storage cabinets have been provided. The question of the provision of such cabinets should be given urgent consideration. Accessions during the year include a large boulder of crystallized calcite from Mr. Wilson, of the Te Kuiti Lime Co. ; a large block of New Zealand hematite from Mr. A. 0. Daysh, of Carterton ; a series of limestones from Niue Island, collected by Captain W. M. Bell, and presented by the Department of External Affairs ; and a small collection of minerals from Mr. W. M. Jones, of Wellington. New Zealand History. Sixteen additional enlarged photographs illustrating the early history of New Zealand were presented by the Wellington Harbour Board. Other additions to this department were a gun, said to have been used by Te Kooti's men, presented by Mrs. Dalrymple ; plans of the Wellington Town Hall, 1877, presented by Mrs. W. E. Boyd; and some historical pictures from the bequest of Mr. T. Lindsay Buick, C.M.G. Numismatics. The additions to the numismatic collection include twenty-one coins and tokens from M'rs. Cooper, war medals from Mr. T. A. Lake, coins and notes from Miss McLellan, two unissued Australian pennies from Mr. A. M. Le Souef, a South African War Medal from Mr. J. V. Scott, and an Australian Anniversary Medal from the Education Department. Library. During the past year the Library has been much used by the training-college students attached to the Museum. An important activity which is undertaken by the officer in charge is the distribution of the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology, in exchange for which many valuable publications are received. As they come to hand, all scientific magazines and books are displayed on tables for consultation by members of the staff and others. Important accessions have been : T. Moore, " Lepidoptera of Ceylon " ; Wayte, " Coins of the Modern World " ; Schimper, " Plant Geography"; and Gell, " Guide to South African Birds." Photographic Depabtment. Whenever possible, work has proceeded with the printing and classifying of the collection of negatives, and during the past year 1,235 have been dealt with. The work of the department in this respect has been greatly helped by the addition of a dry mounting press to its equipment. Out of 461 negatives made for various purposes during the year, 377 have been added to the permanent collection. Lantern-slides totalling 499 were made during the year, and these, together with a collection of slides of the Caroline Islands presented by Mrs. F. R. Christian, of Palmerston North, brings the total number of available slides in the Museum up to 1,593. During the year a 35 mm. camera was added to the equipment; and a number of miniature slides, as well as standard-size slides, have been made in natural colours by the Dufay colour process for the Education Officer. During the year three trips were made for the purpose of photographing Maori carved houses. Photographs of many houses in the Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa districts and in the vicinity of Taupo, Taihape, and Manukau have thus been added to the collection. The Lecture Hall equipment, apart from several minor breakdowns, continues to give every satisfaction. Wellington Philosophical Society. The use of the large room on the eastern side of the building, originally intended for the Royal Society, was granted to the Wellington Philosophical Society for their library and for meetings. The Society furnished the room with shelving, and installed its library in October, 1938. The Society has since adopted the title of Royal Society of New Zealand, Wellington Branch. Peess, Radio, and Trams. The thanks of the Museum Management Committee are hereby tendered to the press, the National Broadcasting Service, the National Commercial Broadcasting Service, and the City Tramways Department for assistance in directing attention to the Museum and its activities. W. R. B. Oliver, Director.

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