H.—22.

Randolph G. Adams, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor—" The Whys and Wherefores of the William L. Clements Library " (1932). F. M. Leckie, Heretaunga—" Early History of Wellington College." Cawthron Institute, Nelson—Cawthron Lecture for 1934, by F. Milner, C.M.G., and several reprints from the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology. Mrs. Kerr, Wellington—" Morceaux Choisis," by F. M. Ronan (1847); European Magazine, 1817 ; three Tasmanian Almanacs, 1833, 1835, 1850. Mrs. Rounthwaite, Lyall Bay—" Law in relation to Engineering," by Frame Thomson (1913) ; " The Principles of Accountancy in relation to Engineering," by Frame Thomson (1912). Miss E. Hodgkinson, Invercargill—" A Handful of New Zealand Verse," by E. Hodgkinson (1935) ; " Under the Longwoods," by E. Hodgkinson (1913). Miss Thorp, Wellington —Typed copies of three letters from James Busby to Joshua Thorp. F. A. de la Mare, Hamilton—" Academic Freedom in New Zealand." A. H. Gibson —Ngaio long ago; Johannes Andersen, Wellington —" Premier Voyage autour du Monde "by Pigafetta (1801); Bishop Museum Bulletins (Report of Directors for 1933, 1934) ; " Mangaian Society," by Te Rangi Hiroa (1934); " Keats's Craftmanship," by M. R. Ridley (1933); " Melanesian Design" (2 volumes), by Gladys A. Reichart, 1932-33; " The Ayar Incas " (2 volumes), by Miles Poindexter (1930); "The Elfin Doll," by J. C. Andersen (1934); "Maori Music," by J. C. Andersen (1934). The thanks of the Government are due to the donors of these volumes, pictures, and manuscripts. Readers and Students.—Sixty-two new readers' permits were issued, and students have been working in the library throughout the year, day and evening, as before. Subjects studied were —Maori mythology, history of Samoa, Antarctic exploration, provincial and district histories, biographies of New Zealand statesmen. The English-literature section has proved useful to readers who have at time been unable to consult or obtain the material sought elsewhere in the Dominion. Students included numbers from the other centres in New Zealand. A considerable amount of correspondence has taken place with writers in England engaged on books on Omar Khayyam, and Charles Brown the friend of Keats, and with libraries in America regarding Browning material. Journals, <&c.,for copying.—Original journals of settlers and others have been received in sufficient quantity to keep two typistes constantly at work copying them and other manuscript material lent for the purpose. Whilst original documents are desirable, -typed copies give the same information, and are easier to read. These documents throw. much light on many phases of early history of the country, and are invaluable as furnishing a background for historians and atmosphere for writers of fiction. Visitors. —Over 900 visitors were shown over the library, as against 850 the previous year. Correspondence.—lnward and outward correspondence numbered about 2,100 letters. Endowment.—The Mitchell Library has a very considerable endowment fund, which enables it to spend several thousands every year not only in securing all current publications in or on Australia and New Zealand, but also in purchasing manuscripts and objects of historic interest, so enabling a fine bequest to be maintained and added to. The Turnbull Library has no endowment, but is dependent on a year-by-year vote by Parliament. Recognizing the great benefit an endowment would be, Mr. George Shirtclifie, of Wellington, for himself and his wife, during the year made a donation of £100 as a nucleus for such an endowment, the principal to be set aside, and the interest used for the purchase of books or manuscripts or other objects on the lines of the collection left by the late Alexander Turnbull. Mr. Shirtclifle's generosity is greatly appreciated, and it is hoped others may be induced to add to this nucleus from time to time. Its benefit will be evident; it will ensure a fixed and known amount being available year by year. Visit abroad of Mr. C. R. H. Taylor, Assistant Librarian. —During the year the assistant librarian, having been awarded a Library Fellowship by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, travelled in England, America, and the Continent studying library method, principally in specialized libraries there. Details of the results of this tour have been incorporated in a special report, but. it appears desirable here to record, on behalf of Mr. Taylor as much as of the library, appreciation of the generosity of the Carnegie Corporation which made the project possible. At the same time, thanks are due to the many institutions and officials encountered for their ready help at every point, and, moreover, for their generosity in presenting valuable publications to the library. Not only are these documents valuable monetarily, but their bibliographic worth is no less to be stressed, and, in addition, they strengthen a collection of such material that is even now second to none in New Zealand. The following is a list of donors of books, pamphlets, &c., to whom the Library is indebted for these desirable acquisitions, and thanks are accorded with all sincerity : — Library of Congress, Washington. —Complete set of reports, 1897-1933 ; Thatcher Catalogue of Incunabula, 1915-31 ; A. L. A. Portrait Index (1906); History of Library of Congress (1904); List of Subject Headings (1928); Set of L. C. Classification Schedules, 1915-27 ; Hubbard Catalogue of Engravings (1905) ; many valuable pamphlets on cataloguing, exhibits, &c.

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