9

E.—B.

was enriched by two cabinets arranged by Janson and Son : the collection, thus completed, is a remarkably fine one, and proves to be one of the most attractive exhibits in the Museum. A descriptive series of insects was instituted, the beetles are now shown, and other orders will be added. Presentations. —As a result of representations made by the Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, and Mr. A. E. G. Rhodes, the Imperial Government presented the war medals, life-saving medals, coronation medals, and photographs of colonial seals, displayed at the New Zealand International Exhibition, 1906-7, to the Museum. The acceptance of this valuable donation has necessitated the construction of a strong-room, now nearing completion. The New Zealand Room has been enriched by a particularly fine series of drawings executed and presented by Miss M. O. Stoddart. The drawings represent characteristic native New Zealand plants, and are appreciated alike by artist and botanist. To Mrs. C. M. Wakefield the Museum is indebted for the valuable collection of New Zealand insects made by her late husband. This will be preserved in its entirety for reference purposes, and distinguished as the " Wakefield Collection." Two objects of the greatest interest to the people of Canterbury were presented to the Museum during the year. As room cannot be found for them in the Museum until some extension is provided, these objects have been temporarily housed in the gallery of the Public Library, where, however, they are fully open to inspection. The large model of Lyttelton Harbour was presented by the Harbour Board at the close of the Exhibition, and the Lyttelton Tunes printing-press was also received from the Exhibition. It was brought to Canterbury in 1850 for the purpose of printing the Lyttelton Times, and was used in the production of the paper until superseded by a more modern machine. Some years later it was acquired by the authorities for use in Lyttelton Gaol, and it remained there until sent to the Exhibition, at the close of which it was presented to the Museum by order of the Minister of Justice. The Exhibition Commissioners presented a fine example of the vegetable sheep (Raoulia). collected by Dr. L. Cockayne and myself on Mount Torlesse, two Native canoes, and a hair-seal, also some birds from the Exhibition aviary. Among many other presentations, assigned to different departments, mention may be made of the relics of the survivors of the wrecked barque " Dundonald," below referred to, a collection of geological, palseontological, and old-period relics, &c, horn Egypt, donated by Mr. R. de Rustafjael, and New Zealand mollusca, by Mr. Tom Iredale. Deposit. —Some very interesting ethnological weapons and domestic utensils from Cook Islands were received on deposit from Colonel W. E. Gudgeon. Purchases. —All the cases in the Natural History Court of the Exhibition were purchased, also some from the British Court and the Mines Department; some of these have already been erected in the Museum, and it is intended to place others in the Maori House for the protection of valuable objects at present exposed. The principal addition to the galleries, by purchase, were ethnological objects from Fiji, a collection of South African butterflies, and a manlier of Maori implements, &c Collecting. —ln my last report 1 mentioned that I hoped to materially increase the collection of fishes in the Museum. Most unexpected opportunities have arisen towards the furtherance of this object. By the kindness of the Hon. the Minister of Marine, I received an invitation from His Excellency the Governor to accompany him on his visit to the southern islands, and visited the Snares, Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes, and Chatham Islands. Also, by courtesy of the Mnister of Marine I was enabled to accompany the Government chartered trawler " Nora Niven " on her experimental cruise. The operations extended over three months (during which period I was continuously aboard), and embraced the whole of the east coast from Stewart Island in the south to Auckland in the north, and included investigations at the Chatham and Pitt Islands. Though fitted for commercial and not for research work, I was enabled to make a collection of fishes and invertebrates previously unequalled. The lower forms have been placed in the hands of Professors Benham and Chilton ami Mr. H. Suter for determination, and I hope to devote similar attention to the fishes. I find, however, so much of my time occupied in administrative and routine work thai I would urge favourable consideration of my request for a personal assistant. My private annual leave was also devoted to collecting on behalf of the Museum. As a member of the Sub-antarctic Expediton inaugurated by the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, I revisited the Auckland Islands, and collected all the species of fish met with. It was during the course of this expedition that we fell in with the survivors of the barque ' ; Dundonald," wrecked on Disappointment Island seven months previously. The men had existed under great privation, and, as previously mentioned, I secured some interesting relics, including the fragile twig coracle in which three of the men were enabled to traverse the six miles separating them from the main island, and so secure the Government boat at the depot. At the close of the j-ear five young men left for the Kermadec Islands, where they intend to devote twelve months to collecting. I supplied them with a certain amount of material, in return for which they undertake to present to the Museum all the fishes collected. Publication. —The first part of a new publication, entitled " Records of the Canterbury Museum," was issued on the 25th April, and was devoted to " A Basic List of the Fishes of New Zealand," written by myself. It was sent to the principal museums and biological institutions throughout the world, and many desirable publications were received in exchange. It is hoped to issue a second part in 1908, to be devoted to an account of at least part of the fishes taken on the trawling expedition of the " Nora Niven," before referred to. Museum, Work. —ln addition to the time devoted to the galleries, as already noted, the taxidermist has made a number of beautiful casts of local fishes; these, coloured by myself, will shortly be placed in the New Zealand Room, to replace the dried specimens at present exhibited. It is intended to continue this admirable work during the coming year. Mr. Nelson Illingworth gave us a hand in casting some of the fishes, during the time he occupied the Museum studio, free of charge. . The taxidermist has also prepared a number of skins and skeletons for the duplicate col-, lection, and has from time to time rearranged certain groups to make room for additional specimens.

2—E. 8.