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may have. There has been an immediate response, however, both from the people as a whole and in local-authority financial support, in those libraries where energetic and enlightened librarians have been directing the service, even after a few weeks' work. While it is imperative for assistance to be continued by making available bulk loans of books, it is obviously necessary that further stimulation must be provided for local authorities to employ such people, in order that assistance in books can be used fruitfully. Provision of subsidies seems the best way to do this, since it has been demonstrated thatvery few local authorities in the 2,000-20,000 population group are in a position to make adequate funds available for the complete service. The principle of Government subsidy on local-authority libraries is becoming widely accepted overseas. In recent years legislation empowering Governments to subsidize local libraries conforming to certain standards has been passed in Norway, New South Wales, Canada, Denmark, and other countries. SMALL INDEPENDENT SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARIES: "B" SERVICE During the year, 691 of these libraries were linked with this Service, compared with the number of 679 for the previous year. Of these libraries, 355 are in the North Island and 336 in the South Island. Altogether 55,555 books were on loan to these "B " libraries, an average of approximately 80 books per library. Figures showing the growth of this section of the Country Library Service are given below :

"C" OK HAMPER SERVICE In places where no library exists and when it is not possible for one to be formed and visited by the book-van, the service to properly established groups by means of hampers despatched from headquarters has been continued. During the year 43 groups received service and 14 were converted to " B " service and are receiving visits from the book-van. Service to Works Department, State Hydro, and New Zealand Forest Service: Camps and Stations Commencing on Ist April, 1949, a free library service has been given to these, the total number of camps or stations benefiting at 31st March, 1950, being 39. Of this number, 36 receive visits from the book-van and 3 are served by hamper from headquarters. The number of books issued to each library is governed by the number of employees at any location.

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Number of Pate of Annual Itepc " B " Libraries Participating. 31st March, 1939 179 31st March, 1940 265 31st March, 1941 302 31st March, 1942 348 31st March, 1943 368 31st March, 1944 391 31st March, 1945 423 31st March, 1946 504 31st March, 1947 555 31st March, 1948 649 31st March, 1949 679 31st March, 1950 691