H.-24

3

also is liable to damage the specimens. It is difficult under the present conditions to do anything that will check these unsatisfactory circumstances. At present there is no convenient workshop for repairing and constructing cases or making the necessary rough boxes or cases for exchanges. Recently the small room that was used for tools and museum material has been cleaned out and fitted up as a retiring-room for the female members of the staff. This convenience has been much required for some years. Until recently half the old brick-built power-house in Sydney Street has been used by the Museum for storing a large number of curios, including the Buller and other collections, the other half being used for the Government kiuematograph work by Mr. McDonald. Recently, however, the work at the Parliament House necessitated the pulling-down of the part used for the storage of the curios, and a large iron shed has been built at the corner of Sydney and old Museum Streets, in which they are now stored together with the collections which have been recently received. The photographer still occupies the other half of the building, but this is liable to be removed at any moment. A very large number of specimens are now stored in the iron shed. During the year the under-part of the Museum has been cleared out, enabling the whole area to be inspected and a quantity of useless and decayed woodwork to be removed. It has, however, been found necessary to replace under the building a large number of the boxes containing mineral specimens belonging to the Mines Department. New openings have been cut to allow the air to circulate more freely.

Approximate. Goat of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,500 copies), £2 10s.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l3.

Price 3d]