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Library Exchanges have been renewed with several European countries, and periodicals held back during the war have come forward from the United States and England. The Dominion Museum's publications are being forwarded as exchange relations become normal. Photographic Department A large amount of illustrating work for scientific papers written by members of the Museum staff and for the Education Officer has been undertaken during this year. The permanent collection of negatives has been increased by 364, and 1,507 old negatives have been printed and recorded during the year ; 163 new lantern slides also have been prepared and added to the permanent collection. Considerable progress has been made with the reclassification and recording of the Burton Bros, collection of historical New Zealand negatives purchased some time ago, and this work now is drawing to a close. J. C. Andersen, Chairman. W. R. B. Oliver, Director.
WAR MEMORIAL CARILLON: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1946 The Management Committee has pleasure in reporting that the recitals given throughout the year have been much appreciated by large numbers of people, especially on Sunday afternoons, when they have been attracting larger attendances in the vicinity of the tower itself. The Carillon played a fitting part in the National Celebrations on VE Day and the two YJ Days. On these occasions special morning, afternoon, and evening recitals by automatic player were given by the operator, Mr. John Randal, and changes 011 the bells were played hourly. Portions of these recitals were broadcast, and specially effective was Mr. Randal's rendering on the hand clavier of " The Victory March," which was specially written by Mr. Percival Price, the celebrated carillonist of Michigan, U.S.A., for production on the world's carillons on these occasions. Satisfactory as these recitals by automatic player have been, however, the Management Committee again emphasizes the necessity for the early appointment of a fully qualified carillonist, who, by the use of the hand clavier, can alone bring out the full qualities of the instrument and thereby cultivate the love for the old folk songs which mean so much in the building-up of the traditions and unity of our race. During the year an experiment was tried of chiming the hours on the bells, using the Westminster chimes, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but did not prove successful, as, owing to the constantly changing atmospheric conditions in the tower, the clock required daily checking to ensure accurate synchronization with the Observatory time signal, which could not be assured without the services of a regular attendant. The experiment, therefore, was discontinued until such time as a regular attendant is appointed. The appointment of a regular attendant is also necessary if the tower and the bells are to be thrown open for public inspection. This is impossible at present, owing to the protective wire netting over the louvers and openings in the tower and over considerable portions of the lift well having been eaten awav by weather action. Repairs are being effected. The Management Committee further considers that the present ladder-like stairways are altogether unsuitable, and urges that they be replaced. The closing of the tower to visitors is unfortunate, as many requests are continually being received for admission, notably from returned servicemen, overseas visitors, and residents in other parts of the Dominion who are anxious to see the clavier and bell chambers.
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