H—2l

and a complete revision of their classification has been commenced. Bird collections are now again stored in one room, with an extra room for moa bones. New material includes a skeleton of a chick of Notornis and the only known egg of the same bird. A series of skins and skulls of fur seals also was collected. Botanical Section Shortly after the appointment in November of Miss A. Lush as Assistant Botanist it was possible to get the herbarium collections shelved and some necessary fumigation and labelling completed. There were immediate requests for study facilities by visitors, and as far as possible these have been met. Apart from the unusual amount of routine, a beginning also was made with plans for new displays. Accessions included several herbarium collections, of which one was Canadian plants from the National Museum of Canada, and another, Campbell Island plants, collected by Mr. W. B. Brockie. Taxidermy, Modelling, and Exhibition In the course of the year, Mr. C. J. Lindsay prepared twenty bird mounts, about fifty bird skins, and a number of mammals, including fur seals. . He also collected and prepared the skulls of two small whales. In addition to a wide range of routine duties in the Museum, Mr. Lindsay took part in two field expeditions and was appointed principal taxidermist to the New Zealand - American Fiordland Expedition. Miss V. M. Norman has prepared models as required, .mainly in wax, for displays to be set up in the halls of botany, marine life, native birds, and Maori ethnology. These range from a series of flowers and fruits to a large octopus. In addition to the requirements of the Dominion Museum, Miss Norman has provided instruction or prepared material for the Departments of Health and Agriculture. Mr. C. McCann has drawn up plans for display in parts of the bird gallery and the mammal section, and has designed a standard bracket for bird specimens. Miss S. Baker and Miss H. N. Turnbull have been engaged mainly in preparing the drawings and models to be used in the Maori Hall. Photographic Section The work outlined last year was continued and extended, with additional requirements in the way of toned enlargements for display cases. Mr. B. W. Hall also installed and maintained a P.A. speaker system in the galleries and made tape recordings of commentaries for use with some of the silent films. Other Departments There is still insufficient space and staff for the proper development of sections of geology, history and decorative arts, and of technology. Provision has been made to appoint a geologist, but the steady accession of important technological exhibits has given the Committee and the Director some concern. As many as possible are accepted, and, if necessary, stored, but the matter of building extension or a new building should be considered urgent. Office Unfortunately, it has not been possible to obtain additional assistance in the office, where Miss S. M. Mulholland is still single-handed, and the general efficiency of the Museum is hindered by the lack of sufficient office staff to deal promptly with correspondence, reports, and documentary material, for which the scientific staff has to meet an increasing public demand.

6