H.—32.

Recess Privileges. The additional sessions of Parliament curtailed to some extent the period during which the Library was open to recess-privilege holders. Nevertheless, the privilege was used during the recent recess by 812 persons, this being a slight increase on the number for the previous recess. This does not include numerous inquirers who visit the Library almost every day in search of information on specific subjects. The method of charging books has been considerably simplified this year, but, unfortunately, it now precludes the usual statement of the number of books issued during the year. Archives. The work of the New Zealand archives is now being done in connection with the Library. Steady progress is being made with the sorting and binding of a large quantity of historical papers, principally connected with the provinces and the New Zealand Company. In this connection the archives received during the year a valuable gift from Dr. Sinclair Gillies, of Sydney, of a considerable quantity of papers and letters of Dr. Andrew Sinclair, who was Colonial Secretary in New Zealand from 1844 until the establishment of responsible government in 1856. Library Committees. During the financial year the following meetings of the various Library Committees were held Legislative Council, 1 ; House of Representatives, 1 ; Joint Committee, 2. Once more I have pleasure in recording my appreciation of the very efficient work done by the Library staff during a particularly trying year, and of the sympathetic co-operation of the Library Committee. The apparently large balance in hand is due to the fact that the annual grant is not received until the end of the parliamentary session and consequently sufficient money must be kept in the bank to meet all accounts for purchases of books up to that time; that is, for about eight months of the current financial year. The balance was practically exhausted in normal purchases by the date of the Library Committee meeting (November 16th). The balance-sheet for the year, with the Auditor's certificate attached, is appended. I have, &c,, G. H. SCHOLEFIELD, Chief Librarian. LIBRARY FUND ACCOUNT. Statement for Year ended 31st March, 1932. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance .. .. .. •• 319 14 11 By Purchase of books and periodicals — Annual grant .. .. .. 900 0 0 " United Kingdom .. .. .. 386 2 8 Refunds? lost books, &c. .. .. 4 3 1 United States of America .. .. 154 18 9 New Zealand .. .. .. 159 17 8 Australia .. .. .. .. 8 0 8 South Africa .. .. .. 4 17 6 Bank charge .. .. .. 10 0 Petty cash .. .. .. 0 14 Balance— £ s. d. Bank of New Zealand .. 508 17 2 Petty cash .. .. 0 2 3 508 19 5 £1,223 18 0 £1,223 18 0 G. H. SCHOLEFIELD, Chief Librarian. Examined and found correct. —J. H. Fowler, Deputy Controller and Auditor-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (390 copies), £2 ss.

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinmr, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 932.

Price 3d.]

2