3

H.—32

General Eemaeks. I would again impress upon members the necessity for entering in the day-books provided upstairs and in the staff-room the works they may take out. Every book taken out without entering means grave inconvenience and possible loss. I repeat what I said last year, that it is most unfair that the Library officers should be blamed for being unable to find a volume, when all the time it has been removed from the Library shelves and never entered. Eebinding is proceeding steadily on a systematic plan. A buckram' binding, plain, stout and usetul, is being adopted for many magazines and periodicals which at one time were clothed m calf or morocco. The saving effected by the cheaper rebinding of books not in frequent use or of no great permanent value, assists me to rebind a large number of valuable works which sadly needed renovation. J A bronze plaster replica of a bust of the late Sir John Hall has been placed upon a suitable pedestal m the main reading-room. As in former years, I have to express my thanks to the High Commissioner and his staff; to our London Agents, Messrs. Sotheran and Co. and Messrs. Street and Co.; to the various members of my staff; and to the Chairman of the Eecess Committee, W. Fraser, Esq., M.P., who as in former years, has manifested a continuous and deep interest in the general control of the Library. Libeaey Accounts. In an appendix will be found the Library balance-sheet for the year ended 31st March 1910 ■with a copy of the auditor's certificate. I have, &c, Charles Wilson, Chief Librarian.

APPENDIX. Balance-sheet foe the Year ending 31st Maech, 1910. 1909-10. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d Balance brought forward, 31st March, 1909 276 0 5 Purchase of books and periodicals in London Ireasury grant .. .. .. .. 600 0 0 freight, and marine insurance .. .. 285 15 6 Treasury private Bill fees .. .. .. 50 0 0 Purchase of American periodicals .. .. 12 5 6 Purchase of books, &c, locally .. .. 216 16 2 Stamp imprest .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 Insurance .. .. .. .. 18 0 0 Extra papers and advertising .. .. 16 411 Sundry small aocounts .. .. .. 412 0 Balanoe in Bank of New Zealand, 31st Maroh, 1909 362 6 4 £926 0 5 £926 0 S

Copy of Auditor's Certificate. Account to the 31st March, 1910, has been examined and found correct, and the balance as shown is found to coincide with the bank pass-book. E. J. Collins, Controller and Auditor-General.

Note.—The balance shown at the end of the financial year (£362 6s. 4d.) will be exhausted (m meeting accounts current) before the receipt of this year's grant. Charles Wilson, Chief Librarian.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,500 copies), £2 15s.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9lo.

Price 3d.]