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rare types of Maori artifacts not represented in the collections were specially made by the old Natives still retaining the ancient knowledge, and purchased. A small series of Maori skulls, of which a large collection for study purposes is urgently desirable, was presented by various Government officers. The exploration of some old Maori store-quarries in D'Urville Island b) myself yielded a few interesting specimens of toki in process of manufacture. Maori history is represented by a flag used in the Maori wars, and presented by Mr. F, J. Dayman, of Tokaanii. Purchases were few, but include a very fine heitiki from Taranaki. The most interesting foreign articles are fabrics from Polynesia presented by the trustees of the Late Mr. A. 11. Turnbull, including a Tongan sleeping-mat which was originally presented lo Captain Cook. Natural-bistort ( lolleotions. The chief departments in which most progress has been made are those oil which Museum officers are working—viz., insects, fish, mollusoa, and geology. The insect collections are noted below _on Miss Castle's report. During a trip to Stephen Island in June, 1918. I obtained several additional specimens of a frog, the first discovery of which was made by Mr. 11. Hamilton in 1916. This frog has proved lo be a new species of the endemic genus Liopelma, and is being described by Mr. R, MacCullogh, of the Australian Museum, Sydney. At the same lime opportunity was taken to collect some lizards from Stephen Island and the Trio islands. Those from the latter locality appear to represent a new species. Mr. I'hillipps has devoted considerable time lo the fish collections, making a full index of the species known from New Zealand, and the synonymy and a depart mental register of the fish collections. Opportunity has been taken lo reject many old unlabelled and indifferent specimens of common species, and lo lill the gaps in the spirit collections by fresh specimens. There are still many rare species wailing identification. New or rare fish are continually being found on the New Zealand coasts by fishermen, few of which ever find their way into museums, and an endeavour is being made to keep in touch with all the local fishermen. Miss Mestaver has kindly devoted considerable time and care In I he molluscan colled ions, in addition to the work for which she was engaged, and considerable progress has been made. All additions to the former departmental register have been made by cards, the number of entries now being 1,075. The type collections have all been separated, carefully marked, and placed apart. The exhibition collection, now confined to Ihe larger species, such as can be seen in exhibition cases, have been relabelled in accordance with the mosl recent nomenclature. The reference collection available for students lo handle, now numbers some 540 species, including a few Tertiary fossils, and it is hoped lo extend il greatly during the coming year. In the case of doubtful or variable species, a further number of specimens from other localities are being set aside permanently as a reserve colled ion. The additions to the various collections have been made possible by the donation of a large series collected at Kapiti Island by Mr. J. C. Andersen, and further collecting by myself from the same locality, and from Wellington, French Pass, Lyttelton, Oaniaru, and Dunedin during visits lo these localities. In addition Miss Mestayer has donated series to fill gaps in the reference collection. Of geological specimens a large series of fossils was collected by myself during the autumn of 1917 from Tertiary beds in South Canterbury and North Otago. These were submitted to the late Mr. H. Suter for identification, and (he lists will be published in a forthcoming paboonlological bulletin of the Geologioal Survey Department. During Easter of 1918 I obtained, in company with Mr. G. I'ttlev. a large series of Tertiary fossils from the South Wairarapa district, which have as yet been only partially determined. Officers' Reports. Mr. McDonald reports as follows : — Bulletin Illustrations ami Photographic Section,—The preparation of illustrations for the bulletins in course of preparation by Mr. E. Best has suffered many interruptions through calls lo more urgent work. It was anticipated that the illustrations for Bulletin No. 5, "Maori Pa and Fortifications," would have been completed, but the time available has permitted only of the preparation of thirty-five. Many of the blocks have been prepared by the process-engraving department at the Governmenl Priming Office from the illustrations sent in during last year, arid proofs of these have been received. Illustrations and photographs have been collected for use in the bulletin on Maori canoes, and these will have to be dealt with as soon as (he pa and fortification series is completed. In the photographic section a considerable number of prints have been prepared from the negatives in hand. These have been mounted and placed in the classified series. As in previous years, opportunity has been taken lo make negatives of drawings, prints, and photographs of historical interest. Many of (he photographs of officers and men awarded distinctions while on active service have had to be relumed to relatives, and negatives of these have been made and prints prepared for exhibit ion. The daily seismograph records taken at the Hector Observatory have also been regularly developed for the Government Astronomer. Library. —Fifteen cases of scientific books and sundry publications were received during the year from the Smithsonian International Exchange Service at Washington, U.S.A.—one exclusively for Victoria College and one for the New Zealand Institute. The contents of thirteen eases, numbering 1,55(1 packages, were distributed by posl and parcel delivery to recipients throughout the Dominion, A number of historical works acquired by purchase in the auctionroom have been added lo Ihe New Zealand seel ion. Scientific works specially required for museum-work have been purchased in London through the High Commissioner's Office, and despite Ihe danger of transit in the war zone have reached us in'safety.