H.—32

The Hon, T. Bloodworth, M.L.C., presented a number of autographed letters bearing on the history of the Liberal and Labour parties in New Zealand, including one from Richard J. Seddon. on the establishment of the Liberal and Labour Federation, and the manuscript of an article by Michael Joseph Savage (dated 1917) on Labour policy. Other accessions include three pamphlets and genealogies of Thomas Spencer Forsaith (who was Premier for a few days in. 1854) ; a typescript of the reminiscences of John McCaw (Matamata) ; a copy of the journal of A. E. Russell in the Hot Lakes district in 1868 ; F. J. Ellis's reminiscences of the Moawhango and Taihape districts ; and Henry M. Stowell's review of H. W. Williams's Maori dictionary. Donations. —Gifts were received from the Admiralty (London), American Legation (Wellington), C. M. Bothamley (Wellington), Consul-General of Belgium, Consul-General of Poland, Consulate of the Netherlands, Captain J. Cormick (Wellington), Dargaville Borough Council, Edwin Edwards (Paeroa), T. E. Ewart (Ottawa), J. W. Forsaith (London), Greek Department of Information (London), High Commissioner for Australia, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, James Jamieson (Collingwood), S. Lucich (Te Kopuru), S. A. R. Mair (Marton), Mrs. H. G. R. Mason (Wellington), Colonel Nankivell (U.S. Legation), Miss Nettie Palmer (Melbourne), Miss M. Searancke (Hamilton), Tauranga Borough Council, Tauranga Public Library, Thames Borough Commissioner, and A. S. Wickens (Wellington). Interloan. —In response to requests the General Assembly Library during the year lent 863 books to other libraries (as compared with 618 last year, 499 the year before, and 491 the year before that). The growth of this useful form of library co-operation is shown by our figures, which have risen from 85 in the first year of operation to almost 900 in the seventh. The principal borrowing library was again the Country Library Service, to which we lent 537 volumes (as compared with 440 last year and 408 the year before). The Wellington Public Library borrowed 52 volumes, and to five others we lent more than 10 volumes each. Only 5 requests could not be fulfilled. We sent books on interloan to 33 libraries. The books lent by us were classed as follows : history and biography, 245 ; literature, 192 ; sociology, 131 ; useful arts, 67 ; natural science, 52 ; fine arts, 49 ; religion, 43 ; bibliography, 37 ; philosophy, 29 ; philology, 13 ; fiction, 5. The General Assembly Library borrowed from 5 other libraries a total of 15 volumes. Recess Privileges.—The number of persons taking advantage of the privilege to use the Library during the recess is gradually mounting towards its pre-war level. This year privileges were issued to 789 readers (compared with 617, 475, 308, and 289 in the preceding war years). The books posted to members during the recess amounted to 67 baskets and 356 parcels. Archives. —Some progress has been made in reshelving the archive material which was sent inland earlier in the war. With the prospect of active development of the New Zealand War Archives, the outlook for a properly organized archive is much improved. Experience of previous wars demonstrated the urgency of a proper custody and organization of the archives. As the war archives embrace practically the whole field of government, there is a good prospect that the sound basis projected for them will lead to an early revival of the Dominion Archives, of which they will eventually form a part. International Exchange.—The shipments of official exchange documents received from abroad during the year amounted to 28 cases (of which 15 were for the General Assembly Library) and 2,285 packages. This compares with 38 cases and 3,503 packages in the previous year. I would again record my appreciation of the willing and efficient service rendered by all members of our depleted staff, and of the businesslike manner in which the book orders have been handled in the High Commissioner's office in London and the Supply Mission in Washington. The Joint Library Committee has, as usual, taken a sympathetic interest in the Library and the staff. 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 Yeae ended 31st March, 194-5 Receipts £ s. d. Payments £ s. d. Balance .. .. .. .. 1,071 14 7 Purchase of books and periodicals in— Annual grant .. .. .. .. 1,250 0 0 United Kingdom .. .. .. 510 1 5 Refunds, lost books, &c. .. .. 5 7 3 United States .. . . .. 400 10 2 • Australia .. .. .. .. 50 3 5 New Zealand .. .. .. 253 3 1 Bank charge .. .. .. .. 0 10 0 Petty expenses .. .. .. 0 7 3 Balance, Bank of New Zealand .. .. 1,112 6 6 £2,327 1 10 £2,327 1 10 G. H. Scholefield, Chief Librarian. Examined and found correct. —Cyril G. Collins, Controller and Auditor-General. 3rd May, 1945.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (451 copies), £3 10s.

By Authority: E. Y. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l94s.

Price 3d.\

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