Report of the Chief Librarian for the Year 1924-25

H.—32.
1925.
NEW ZEALAND.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1924-25.
Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.
The Chief Librarian to the Chairman of the Joint Library Committee.
Sir,—
I have the honour to submit the following report for the year 1924-25:—
Recess Library Committee.
The Recess Library Committee, the constitution of which was altered by resolution passed by both Chambers of the Legislature at the close of last session, held three meetings during the recess, under the chairmanship of the Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Charles E. Statham. Two of these meetings were informal, as a full quorum was unobtainable. At the third meeting, however, there was a full quorum, and the business done at the previous meetings was duly confirmed. In view of the great difficulty which obtains of securing a quorum at the meetings as called, the question is worth consideration as to the desirableness of making some slight alteration in the rule under which the Recess Committee is now constituted.
Additions to the Library.
The number of new accessions since the date of the last report is 2,089, which is lower than that in the previous Library year, the previous total having been 2,700. This latter, however, includes some 500 volumes of the Herries bequest. Owing to the financial position of the Library being much better at the end of the financial year, it is more than probable that next year's report will chronicle a substantially higher increase.