If Council is to attain its desire for the binding of all volumes in the Library it would appear desirable to increase annually the budget allocation for binding so that Council will hold a sum adequate for a major contract with a binder. To indicate the present situation, the balance in the account is of the order of £160, sufficient to cover the cost of binding some 250 to 300 volumes. This is less than the annual accession.

Our Library holds long runs of many major journals. It is not a narrowly specialised scientific library, it has valuable holdings in all major scientific disciplines. Many of the holdings are irreplaceable, and many are replaceable only at prices now beyond the finances of any library in this country.

Our Library is a major national scientific asset created and sustained as part of the work of the Royal Society of New Zealand. It plays an important part in scientific research in this country.

The holdings are fully and freely available to all scientists and other proper persons. Examination of the records of borrowings shows that the great majority are made in relation to research work in progress.

The Library has long been worthy of a special grant to enable Council to ensure the maximum safety of the contents of the Library in ordinary library operations.

I draw the attention of Council to the excellent work of the Secretary and of the Assistant Librarian. Many users of the Library have praised their great helpfulness.

L. R. Richardson,