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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949 The report for the year ended 31st March, 1949, is presented herewith. The Trustees met on four occasions and the Building and Finance Committee held four meetings. ' Board of Trustees : Obituary The death took place op 15th July, 1948,' of Professor H. B. Kirk, who was a member of the Board of Trustees from its inception in 1930 to 1936, and a member of the Committee of Management of the Dominion Museum from 1936 to 1944, occupying th,e position of Chairman for the greater portion of that period. The Board records its full appreciation of the deceased's sterling qualities, devotion to duty, and of the valuable services rendered by him during his long period of office. Resignations Sir Joseph Heenan, K.B.E. —On his retirement from the position of UnderSecretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, Sir Joseph (then Mr.) Heenan relinquished his seat on the Board. The valuable services rendered by Sir Joseph during his period of office from 1935 to 1949 were placed on record, and heartiest congratulations extended to him on the honour of Knighthood conferred on him by His Majesty the King in June, 1949. Hon. E. P. Hay. —On his relinquishment of the position of Mayor of Lower Hutt City in January, 1949, Mr. E. P. Hay automatically retired from the Board of Trustees. The Board placed on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered by him during his period of office as a member and extended to him warmest congratulations upon his subsequent appointment to the high office of Judge of the Supreme Court. Apppointments Mr. A. G. Harper (Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs) succeeded Sir Joseph Heenan, and Mr: W. C. Gregory, Mayor of the City of Lower Hutt, succeeded the Hon. E. P. Hay, as members of the Board. General The reports of the three Management Committees are attached hereto. The Board has pleasure in reporting that the National Art Gallery was reopened to the public on, 12th April, 1949, the opening ceremony being performed by the Chairman of the Board. The temporary Art Gallery in the D.I.C. Building, Lambton Quay, was vacated, and the pictures were transferred to the Buckle Street building. The walls of the National Gallery have been covered with hardboard, painted a light cream colour, and wooden battens have been affixed to the walls in order to facilitate the hanging of pictures. The appearance of the Gallery has been much improved and the pictures can now be displayed to best advantage. The restoration work in the Museum section has been completed, but there is still some .work to be done in preparation and arrangement of the cases and exhibits. It is anticipated that the Museum will be reopened to the public during the latter part of September. Credit is due for the excellent manner in which the restoration work has been carried out by the Government Architect, Works Department officials, and by the contractors. The Board also records its appreciation of the valuable assistance rendered by its Architects and Clerk of Works. Educational work has been continuously carried on by both the Art Gallery and the Musuem personnel, and with the reopening of the building this important section of their activities will be greatly accelerated.

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