H.—32.

Recess Privileges. The recess privilege holders who used the Library this year (exclusive of full privilege holders, Government Departments, house officers, libraries, and others) totalled 1,079. A comparison with previous years shows that the number of people using the Library is well maintained : 1934, 1,031 ; 1935, 1,085 ; 1935-36, 590 ; 1937, 1,079. The recess of 1935-36 was only of three months' duration. The vocations of recess privilege holders were as-follow : Accountants, 28 ; advertising agent, 1 ; agents, 13 ; airmen, 3 ; architects, 2 ; artists, 5 ; auctioneer, 1 ; bank clerks, 9 ; bankers, 3 ; barristers and solicitors, 23 ; bookbinder, 1 ; bookseller, 1 ; broadcasting announcers, 3 ; brokers, 2 ; builders, 2 ; business managers, 2 ; caretakers, 2 ; carpenter, 1 ; chauffeur, 1 ; chemists, 4 ; civil engineers, 6 ; civil servants, 158 ; clergymen, 22 ; clerks, 150 ; commercial travellers, 4 ; company directors, 10 ; company managers, 6 ; compositors, 6 ; contractors, 1 ; customs officers, 3 ; cutter, 1 ; dentists, 2 ; designer, 1 ; dietitian, 1 ; domestic duties, 181 ; draughtsmen, 8 ; dressmaker, 1 ; driver, 1 ; economist, 1 ; editors, 2 ; electrical mechanics, 2 ; electricians, 6 ; enginedrivers, 2 ; engineers, 8 ; farmers, 2; financial agent, 1 ; grocer, 1 ; hairdressers, 3 ; harbour board employees, 4; health inspector, 1 ; importer, 1 ; inspector of schools, 2 ; insurance managers, 6 ; journalists, 30 ; laboratory attendant, 1 ; labourers, 4 ; 'law clerks, 6 ; librarians, 3 ; lecturer, 1 ; lighthouse-keeper, 1 ; machinist, 1 ; manufacturers, 2 ; master mariners, 2 ; mechanician, 1 ; medical practitioners, 11 ; merchants, 3 ; messengers, 3 ; meter-reader, 1; meteorologist, 1; Monotype operator, 1; motor-drivers, 6 ; municipal employees, 2 ; music-teachers, 2 ; musicians, 4 ; native interpreter, 1 ; naval officer, 1 ; no occupation, 16 ; nurses, 13 ; organizer, 1 ; painters, 4 ; photographer, 1 ; plumber, 1 ; porter, 1 ; postal employees, 6 ; printers, 13 ; railway employees, 3 ; research workers, 3 ; retired, 63 ; ruler, 1 ; salesmen, 9 ; school-teachers, 64 ; seaman, 1 ; secretaries, 14 ; shipping clerks, 3 ; shop-assistants, 4 ; social workers, 2 ; soldiers, 3 ; stenographers, 10 ; stevedore, 1 ; stock agent, 1 ; storemen, 3 ; students, 33 ; surveyors, 4 ; traffic inspector, 1 ; trade union secretary, 1 ; tram-conductors, 6 ; tutor, 1 ; typistes, 23 ; university demonstrator, 1 ; warehousemen, 2 ; waterside worker, 1 ; wireless operator, 1 ; writer, 1. New Zealand Library Conference. The conference of the New Zealand Library Association was held in Wellington in February, the Hon. the Speaker granting permission to meet in the social hall at Parliament House. Under the new organization of the Association the General Assembly Library is entitled to three delegates. It was represented on this occasion by the Hon. P. Fraser, the Hon. T. Brindle, and the Chief Librarian. The conference was a great success, and keen interest was shown in the address of the Minister of Education and forthcoming developments in which the General Assembly Library must take a leading part. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the cordial support which has been given by the whole staff during the year. All have taken a lively interest in new developments, which have laid fresh burdens upon themselves. I would thank also the Joint Library Committee for its helpful co-operation, the High Commissioner and staff for the very efficient manner in which they have attended to all commissions for the Library, and to librarians throughout New Zealand for hearty co-operation in many irksome points of detail submitted to them. Attached is the statement of receipts and expenditure for the year, with the certificate of the Auditor-General. I would point out that though the accounts show a credit balance of £433 at the end of the year this sum was exhausted by July. It has been arranged that in future a quarter's instalment of our grant will become available, and in September another instalment, so as to obviate depleting our account. I have, &c., G. H. SCHOLEFIELD, Chief Librarian.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY ACCOUNT. Statement foe the Year ending 31st Mabch, 1937. Receipts. Payments. £ s. d. Purchase of books and periodicals in— £s. d. Balance .. .. .. .. .. 224 7 9 United Kingdom and United States .. .. 1,052 17 10 Annual grant .. .. .. .. 1,250 0 0 New Zealand .. .. .. .. '138 16 0 Private Bill fees .. .. .. .. 175 0 0 Australia .. .. .. .. 16 8 9 Refunds for lost books, &c. .. .. .. 5 710 Foreign .. .. .. 11 5 7 Petty expenses .. .. .. .. 014 7 Bank charges .. .. .. .. .p0 10 0 Interest .. .. .. .. ~ 019 Cheques .. .. .. .. .. 010 0 £ s. d. Balance, Bank of New Zealand .. 467 17 6 Less cheque unpresented .. .. 34 6 5 433 11 1 £1.654 15 7 G. H. Schole field, Chief Librarian. Examined and found correct.—J. H. Fowler, Deputy Controller and Auditor-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (490 copies), £4 15s.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 937.

Price 3d.

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