H.—22.

Two fine specimens of the Breeches Bible were received, one dated 1607 from Mr. G. R. Thompson, of Wellington, and another 1599 from Mrs. B. V. Cooksley, of Taita. The latter was especially interesting, having been the property of the Rev. James Buller, the first Wesleyan missionary in New Zealand. Miss Nias, of England, a daughter of the Captain Nias who brought Captain Hobson to New Zealand, donated three fine prints of early Wellington in 1840, done by Charles Heaphy, draughtsman of the New Zealand Co. Mr. Win, Nicoll, an old miner, presented a manuscript of his experiences in gold-mining in Waihi, Fiji, and the Klondyke. Unfortunately, the old pioneer died a few weeks after his kindly gift was received. Another manuscript related to early Wainui-o-mata, being a minute book of the old Road Board of that district in the fifties. This was from Mr. Sinclair, of Plimmerton. People in England having New Zealand material frequently realize its importance to this country, and a notable instance occurred when Miss Hamley sent out a large collection of water-colour sketches depicting scenes of military life in New Zealand during the Maori wars, very finely executed by her father, Major Hamley. Lieut. - Colonel Bulkeley likewise sent from England a fine group of early letters and other documents. Other donations of importance were received from the following, and our best thanks are accorded for the courtesy and interest thus evinced: Mr. Fowlds, Auckland; E. Furley, New South Wales ; Mrs. Owen, Wellington ; the Librarian, Colchester, Essex ; Mrs. Ella Dwyer, Sydney ; the Secretary, Otago Harbour Board ; Archdeacon H. Ensor, Christchurch ; Mr. V. G. Chapman, Wellington ; Mr. J. H. L. Waterhouse, New South Wales ; Mr. R. B. Castle, Wellington ; the New Zealand Lighting Service Bureau, Wellington ; Mr. C. R. Johns, Surrey, England ; Mrs. C. Wilson, Wellington ; Mr. J. E. Chard, Hobart; Mr. A. I. Isdale, Hastings ; Mr. J. A. Ferguson, Sydney ; Mr. E. J. Riches, Geneva ; the Health Education and Research Council, London; Mr. J. C. Andersen, Wellington; Mr. A. H. Abel ; Mr. M. G. Maxwell, Tauranga ; Mr. A. H. Scotney, Wellington ; the Director, Cawthron Institute, Nelson ; Mr. T. W. Brown, Wellington ; Mrs. S. Huffam, Wellington ; Mr. A. J. Heighway, Wellington; Mr. G. R. Thompson, Wellington; Mr. H. B. Jacobs, Ngaio ; Mr. J. B. Monteath, Napier : Mrs. T. Fielden Taylor, Wellington ; Mr. G. Miller, Palmerston North ; Societe de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Francais, Paris; Mr. W. S. Sargent, London; Bascands Ltd., Christchurch; Mrs. B. V. Cooksley, Taita ; the First Church of Christ Scientist, Wellington ; Mr. W. Nicoll, Wellington ; the Island Bay Surf Club, Wellington ; Miss Mestayer, Wellington ; the Curator, Canterbury Museum ; Mr. Sinclair, Wellington ; Mr. G. E. Hunter, Wellington ; Mrs. Halcombe, New Plymouth ; Rev. W. West Knowles ; Mr. McKinley, Wellington ; Rev. G. Kendrick, Upper Hutt ; the Secretary, Numismatic Society, Wellington ; Mr. H. W. White, Wellington ; Mr. Porter, Petone ; Mr. W. J. Huxtable, Wellington ; Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour, Wellington ; Mrs. West, Wellington ; Hon. F. Langstone ; Clark University Library, Worcester, Mass., United States of America ; the Secretary, Corriedale Sheep Society; Mr. E. W. Maclean; Mr. T. L. Buick; the Headmaster, Auckland Grammar School; the Librarian, Auckland Public Library; the Town Clerk, Riverton; the Curator, Mariners' Museum, Newport News, Ya., United States of America ; Mrs. J. F. O'Leary; Mr. J. M. Murray, Wellington; Lady Maclean ; Mr. Kearney, Wellington; Mr. J. W. Mitchell, Christchurch ; Mr. M. A. Jamieson, Wellington; Mr. F. H. Porter, Petone; Mrs. Patterson, York Bay; Miss G. A. Glanville, Christchurch ; Mrs. Moore, Wellington ; Mi'. P. J. Garvey, England ; Mrs. S. L. Crump, French Pass ; Mr. V. Phelips, Capetown, South Africa ; P. P. Cahill, S.M., Palmerston North ; Mr. A. W. Seaven, Christchurch ; Mr. F. W. Sims, Wellington ; Mr. D. R. Menzies, Wellington ; Mr. A. H. Carman, Wellington. A donation of much interest was received from Her Majesty Queen Mary, who forwarded to the New Zealand Government several books relating to New Zealand from her library, including two published accounts of her visit to the colonies in 1901. Each volume is autographed. It was decided by the Government to deposit them in the Turnbull Library, where they will be carefully preserved. Conclusion. I have to express my appreciation of the willing and efficient service rendered to me by officers of the Department at all times under conditions calling for sustained effort and frequently under extreme pressure of urgency. I desire also to acknowledge with gratitude the valuable assistance rendered by other Government Departments throughout the year.

Approximate, Coat of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (545 copies), £30.

By Authority : E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93B.

Price 9d.]

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