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Appointments Miss M. Stephenson, Assistant Education Officer; Miss M. Thome, Librarian; Mrs. J. M. Price, Clerical Assistant and Typist; Mr. G. C. Shaw, Geologist; Mr. C. Hale, Photographer ; Mr. G. White. Junior General Assistant. Obituary It is with regret that we record the death in a traffic accident, on 3rd June, 1949, of Mr. B. W. Hall, Museum Photographer. Mr. Hall had been a member of the staff since 21st February, 1944, and his professional efficiency and cheerful personality alike are greatly missed. Accessions Gift accessions became more numerous after the reopening of the building to the public. Of 164 entries in the register, details of some are given in the sectional reports. Exhibition Halls The contractors having completed the work of restoration and decoration at the end of March, 1949, the installation of exhibits was commenced immediately. Originally, the large island cases were designed to stand in the centre of the halls, and the decision to use them at the sides to form " bays " made the setting-up of exhibits more difficult, the case-doors being too close to the masonry pillars. However, the advantages of bays seemed to warrant the experiment and to allow of some grouping of subjects and segregation of related exhibits, as far as the existing design of the building will permit. The transfer on loan to the Canterbury Museum of one large Maori carved storehouse and a war canoe made it possible to display all the Maori material in one hall and vestibule. The remaining canoes and carved houses are grouped at either end flanking the meeting-house, and the wall cases are fitted with explanatory displays of such topics as Polynesian migrations, stone-implement manufacture, fishing, agriculture, cooking, housing, ornament, clothing, and decorative arts. Many of the spectacular and artistic objects from the W. 0. Oldman Collection, of which the Dominion Museum retains a first choice in Maori material, are displayed in island cases near the entrance. Principal display in foreign ethnology is devoted to the islands of the Pacific and bordering countries, with smaller exhibits from India, Africa, and ancient Mediterranean lands. The plan of display throughout in ethnology owes much to the experience of the Education Officer and his assistant; and the professional staff agree that the needs of the school service provide sound criteria for methods of presentation suitable for the general public. European arts and crafts occupy the next section, followed by miscellaneous technology, weapons, coins, and stamps. Ceramic collections are displayed in the bay of the east wing, and relics of New Zealand history are along the east wall. Period furniture of the Elgar Bequest has been temporarily arranged in three bays, pending the construction of three period rooms in accordance with the terms of the bequest. JFrom this point natural history exhibits are arranged in sequence commencing with mammals and followed by botany and geology. In all these sections much of the display is formal and provisional until special exhibits can be prepared. All members of the staff were called on for special effort throughout the six months before the opening, and we wish to record appreciation of their response. Particular mention may be made of the voluntary assistance given by Mr. L. Stannard and Miss M. Lawson. Mr. S. .Northcote Bade gave honorary assistance in arranging ceramic displays.

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