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The Library continues to receive for custody sets of obsolete newspapers from different parts of the Dominion, which otherwise would be in danger of being lost or destroyed. We have recently received sets, covering long periods, from North Canterbury, Gisborne, and Kawhia. International Exchange During the year, as agent of the International Exchange, we received from abroad 22 cases, compared with 24 in the previous year, and 1,660 packages, compared with 1,956 for the previous year. Nine of the cases were for the General Assembly Library, and the balance, with most of the packages, were redespatched to other institutions and addresses. Archives Work was commenced a year or two ago in anticipation of the Otago Centennial Celebrations which are to take place next year. A considerable quantity of records of interest to Otago Province came into possession of the General Government under the Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875. Other papers bearing on the history of the province occur in the deposit of the New Zealand Company. These have all been organized as opportunity occurred and have been made available to Otago historical students and others engaged on the centennial history of the Province. Acknowledgments Our thanks are again due to the overseas agents of the New Zealand Government for their very efficient handling of orders for books and periodicals. I have also to acknowledge the sympathetic interest of the Joint Library Committee in the work of the Library, and the cheerful and efficient work carried out by the staff under conditions which were always arduous and sometimes trying. Attached is the statement of receipts and expenditure for the year, with the Auditor-General's certificate. I am, &c, G. H. SCHOLEFIELD, Chief Librarian and Archivist. GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY ACCOUNT Statement for the Year ended 31st March, 1947 jßeceipts \ Payments £ s. d. £ . g. d. Balance .. .. .. 982 2 0 Purchase of books and. Annual grant .. .. 1,250 0 0 periodicals in— Refunds, lost books, &c .. 29 11 6 United Kingdom .. .. 1,199 17 8 Private Bill fee .. .. 25 0 0 U.S.A. and Canada .. 745 9 1 Australia .. .. 64 11 8 New Zealand .. .. 193 16 10 Bank charge . - .. .. 0 10 0 Cheque-b'ook .. .. .. 0 10 0 Petty expenses .. .. 1 12 9 Balance, Bank of New Zealand 80 5 6 £2,286 13 6 £2,286 13 6 G. H. Scholefield, Chief Librarian. Examined and found correct.—J. P. Rutherford, Controller and AuditorGeneral.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (828 copies), £8 10s.

By Authority: E. Y. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 947. Price 3cZ.]

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