H.— 32

Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAND

GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY: REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1905-6.

Laid-on the Table by Leave of the House.

The Chief Librarian to the Hon. the Chairman of the Library Committee. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report for the year 1905-6 :— Recess Library Committee. This Committee, under the chairmanship of W. Fraser, Esq., M.H.R., held five meetings during the recess. Two special selection meetings were held, when lists of books for order were brought forward by the Chief Librarian and duly considered. Two large orders were sent to the High Commissioner for transmission to Messrs. Sotheran and Co. The majority of the works ordered are now on the Library tables. Recess Privileges. The number of persons to whom recess privileges were granted (independent of those on the " full privilege " list) was 397. An excellent class of work was favoured by borrowers, who greatly esteem the privilege and express themselves highly grateful therefor. The books have been well used and there has been no loss. No novels (save what might be called English classic fiction) are issued to the holders of the ordinary recess privileges. Boxes to Members. Over a hundred baskets of books were sent to members during the recess. Additions to Library. The total number of volumes added to the Library during the year was 2,706. There are now 62,000 books on the Library registers. There were no receipts from private Bills during the Library year, hence a decrease in the number of books added. If, however, we can maintain an annual average of 2,500 volumes (and this, I think, can be done with our ordinary income) the Library will be making excellent progress. A reference to the new Accession List for the year 1905-6 will show members that the Library has been enriched during the year by some very fine works. Among the principal donations to be recorded are a set of Andrew Marvell's works (the firm quarto edition) which was presented by Sir John Hall, and a copy of Sir Morell Mackenzie's wort " The Illness and Death of the Emperor Frederick of Germany," the insertion of an autograph letter from the author (a letter of no small historical interest and importance) rendering the volume of great interest and value. This latter work was presented by Dr. Bakewell, of Auckland. I have also to acknowledge the gift by Captain Robinson, R.E., of a charming little edition (1685) of " Les Caracteres de Theophraste." In each instance a formal letter of thanks was sent to the donor. New Zealand Books. In accordance with instructions given last year by the Library Committee a second case for the housing of books dealing with New Zealand and Polynesia has been procured. It is constructed of fine cedar, and is similar in design to the first case, with, however, some structural improvements. The two cases have now been placed at the head of the main staircase. This has enabled me to have the corner in the main reading-room formerly occupied by the first New Zealand case fitted with steel shelving similar to that used throughout the Library. This will afford room for about fifteen hundred volumes, and the space-pressure to which I drew attention in last year's report is thereby removed. The proposed extra bays will now not be wanted for some time to come. The settees formerly at the head of the stairs have been placed in the reading-room, where they will be very useful.