IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2324, 12 January 1893, Page 2

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

The Imperial Institute, of which we see so much in the cables, has, through Sir Walter Buller, of Wellington, one of the ' permanent governing body, made an appeal for exhibits from this district at the opening function to be held in May next. Sir Walter, who mentions that he is with the active assistance of the Government, interesting himself in tbe preparation of a New Zealand display, has written to Mr. A. A. Fantbam on the subject, and says: — "We are in tbe unfortunate position, however, of having received no vote in aid yet from the Assembly, aod I have accordingly, for the present, to rely almost entirely on the public spirit of my fellow colonistß. I have been as far South as Dunedin, endeavoring to get up a little enthusiasm, and I have had a good response on all hands. Although the time is very limited — the Government having only within the last three week decided on taking up the space assigned to this colony — I think I shall get together a very good exhibition of tbe natural resources of this colony and of its economio and industrial products ; but everything will depend on the help I may receive, and I am anxious to enlist your aid in this matter. I have a disfcinot reoollection of the beautiful exhibit of grasses in stalk prepared by you for the Colonial Exhibition, 1886 (of which I was a Commissioner), and I am anxious for you to undertake the same services for the Imperial Institute. A similar exhibit of grasses is what I want, but on a larger scale, to form part of the agricultural trophy which Mr. Murphy (Secretary to the A. and P. Association, of Canterbury) has kindly consented to organize. I have seen Mr. McKerrow since my return from the South, and he has assured me that tbe Commissioners will grantfree railage for all exhibits intended for Imperial Institute." I Mr. Fantham has handed the letter over t to the Secretary of tbe A. and P. Society, Mr. Budge, and as there is to be a meeting of the Committee on Saturday it will be brought before them. We have no doubt that tbe committee will recognise the advantage of this part of tbe colony being represented in any New Zealand collection which may be sent home, and we should suppose that settlers will readily co-operate if any proposal be brought forward.