H.—32

2

perceptible lacunse. The first shipment of these books may be expected to arrive from London next month. A large order for the latest current literature—biography, voyages and travels, history, and general literature—was also sent to the Agent-General early in May. These books should be here some time in December. Altogether some five or six hundred more books may be expected to be placed on the Library shelves before the close of the present session. Books purchased locally. —By resolution of the Eecess Library Committee the Chairman was empowered to authorise the purchase locally by the Librarian of new books as they arrived by each mail-steamer, such purchases not to exceed £10 in value in each month. The arrangement has worked very well, and I respectfully request that it may be permanently continued. Purchases by the Agent-General.- —After carefully going into the question of the purchase of books in London by the Agent-General, I have decided to recommend to the Committee that the present arrangement be terminated, and that in future all new books be ordered from this end. I am in a position to. state that the Hon. Mr. Beeves would prefer to be relieved of the duty of selecting books for the Library. lam satisfied that by ordering direct both time and money would be saved. I would respectfully suggest the appointment of a sub-committee to go into the details of this question, and I have no doubt I shall be able to prove the advisableness of the course I advocate being adopted. Becess Privileges. —During the recess the usual boxes of books were sent to members non-resi-dent in Wellington. In addition to those whose names appear in the sessional list and the heads of departments, several persons were admitted to the Library for the purpose of consulting books of reference. Some few others were accorded the right of taking books out of the Library for the purpose of study, the Chairman granting the necessary permission as per resolution passed by the Eecess Library Committee. It will be remembered that during the period of last year the usual recess privileges were suspended. I would now propose that the old system of granting these privileges—viz., upon the recommendation of a member of the Parliament or of the Chairman of the Committee —be resumed next recess. Stock-taking. —From what I have been able to ascertain from the Assistant Librarian, Mr. James, and from such records as I have examined, there has been no stock-taking in the Lbrary for many years. With the approval of your Committee, I propose to close the Library for one month during the recess, and carry out a thoroughly complete stock-taking. With the experience gained during the late recess, added to that which will result from the stock-taking, I shall then be better able than at present to say whether the regulations at present in force, as to the taking-out and return of books, provide that full degree of security against loss which is desirable. Library Staff. —In addition to the regular Library staff there have also been employed three extra assistants (during the removal of books there were four), and owing to the number and arrangement of the rooms in the new Library I fail to see how, during any session, fewer than three extra hands will be required. One at least of the extra assistants at present employed should, I consider, become a permanent addition to the staff. For this session I have divided the staff into two sections, taking alternately day- and night-duty. The system appears to be working well, and possesses the advantages of not over-fatiguing the assistants with late hours, and also enabling them to get an all-round knowledge of their work. The old system of specialisation of work often proved inconvenient in the temporary absence of any officer from unforeseen causes. lam pleased to bear testimony to the consistent industry displayed by the staff since I took charge. During the absence through illness of Mr. James, the Assistant Librarian, for the first two months after I assumed charge, I received specially valuable assistance from Messrs. Costall and Thomson. The latter officer was exceptionally painstaking and helpful. Library Accounts. —ln an appendix to this report will be found a balance-sheet for the last financial year. The Library accounts were, I may add, audited in January last (to the 31st December, 1900), the last previous audit having been made so far back as the Ist April, 1893. I would suggest that a yearly audit is desirable. I have, &c, Charles Wilson, Librarian. The Hon. the Chairman, Joint Library Committee.

APPENDIX. Balance-sheet foe the yeab ending the 31st Makch,.l9ol. Receipts. Expenditure. 1900. £ s. d. £ s. d. April 2 Balance brought forward .. 11l 3 0 Purchase of books in London .. .. 196 8 9 Oct. 4 Ft es private Bills .. .. 75 0 0 Purchase of books locally .. .. 123 14 10 „ 30 Annual appropriation .. .. 600 0 0 ; Purchase of periodicals in London, locally, „30 Special vote .. .. .. 500 00 i and in America .. .. .. 155 0 10 J Nov. 7 Refund stamp imprest .. .. 30 0 0 | Freight and marine insurance .. .. 13 6 9 Deo. 17 Refund cheque (lost) .. .. 315 2 Petty cash .. .. .. .. 6 0 0 „21 Refund balance petty cash .. 1 111 Fire insurance .. .*. .. '40 0 0 Gleaning .. .. .. .. 38 5 0 Extra clerical assistance (April to June, 1900) .. .. .. .. 14 3 6 Payment of English accounts due previous to Ist April, 1900 .. .. .. 37 2 9 Typewriting .. .. .. .. 2 18 Sundry small acoounts .. .. .. 3 2 1 Stamp imprests .. .. .. 30 0 0 New Zealand newspapers (purchase of) 8 9 3 Balance .. .. .. .. 653 4 7J £1,321 0 1 £1,321 0 1 Approximate Coat of Paper. —Preparation, nil; printing (1,375 copies), £1 6s. 6d.

By Authority; John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ol. Price 3d.]