THE VIENNA EXHIBITION, (PAPERS RELATIVE TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, H-07

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1874. NEW ZEALAND.

THE VIENNA EXHIBITION, (PAPERS RELATIVE TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Sir Charles Clifford to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — London, sth June, 1873. I have had the honor of receiving a letter from you, under date 23rd December, 1872, notifying that the. Government of New Zealand had appointed Dr. Featherston and myself Commissioners to represent the Colony at the International Exhibition to be opened at Vienna in May, 1873. Tinder date 4th March, 1873, I received a letter from the Colonial Office in Downing Street, stating that I should be regarded as an officially-appointed Commissioner, and in that capacity be duly accredited and introduced to the Austrian authorities. I afterwards received the official appointment, under the seal of the Colony, dated Ist January, 1873. I have delayed the acknowledgment of these communications, because it was very doubtful whether my engagements would permit of my performing the duties thus imposed upon me. At the last moment, however, finding that Dr. Eeatherston's health quite disabled him for so long a railway journey, and that not only New Zealand but the Colonies generally would probably be but very thinly represented, I determined to be present at the inauguration. On my arrival at Vienna, on April 29th, I found the New Zealand Court quite ready to take in the exhibits, and I was informed that most of them had left Trieste by rail on April 24th, but that, owing to the inefficient arrangements of the Austrian railways to meet the increased traffic, they were unlikely to be delivered for some days. I had the honor of explaining this to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who, as President of the British Royal Commission, took an active interest in all that was done. His Royal Highness was quite satisfied that our unpreparedness was in no way the fault of the Colony. On May Ist the Exhibition was opened in state by the Emperor and Empress of Austria, attended by a large number of distinguished visitors from every quarter of the world. After taking part in the ceremonies of the occasion, the Commissioners were requested to proceed to their respective courts to meet the Emperor and Empress on their tour of the building. I had the honor of doing so at the entrance of the New Zealand Court; and although there was nothing at that time to arrest attention, I was gratified to find, from the remarks made, that our Colony was exciting much interest. Mter this, daily additions made the Court more attractive. Among the earlier arrivals I may mention an admirably arranged collection of the Phormium tenax, showing it in every process of manufacture, from the raw leaf into rope and twine of every description; and its other products, from the coarsest sacking to the most perfectly bleached table linen of the finest texture. This was exhibited by Mr. Thorne, and was much noticed. Some fine water-colour drawings of New Zealand coast scenery were also much examined and admired. The specimens of gold, wool, and coal had arrived, and, with the single exception of the Cape of Good Hope, we were far more forward than any other British Colony. It is only right to say that the appointment of Mr. Phillips Bevan as the ageut of the Australian and New Zealand Commission, was a most fortunate one. He has a thorough knowledge of his duties; takes great interest in New Zealand; has shown sound taste and judgment in the arrangement of the exhibits; and is quite competent to explain and display them to the utmost advantage. My duties were thus rendered comparatively light and easy. As the representative of the Colony of New Zealand, 1 was honoured by commands to attend dinners given by the Emperor of Austria and the Prince of Wales, and received much hospitality from the Austrian Minister of Commerce and others of the leading men in Vienna. An opportunity, of which I availed myself, was in this way given me of serving the interests of the Colony, by describing its capabilities to some of the most influential men in Europe. I—H. 7.

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After a residence of sixteen days in Vienna, having ascertained that the larger proportion of the New Zealand exhibits had arrived, I felt that I could safely leave our Court in the hands of Mr. Bevan. I was less reluctant to return to England, as Professor yon Hochstetter had, in conversation with me, manifested great anxiety to assist us, and had undertaken to superintend our collection of specimens in Natural History. When he has completed the setting up of the skeletons of the moas forwarded by Dr. Haast, this will be quite unique of its kind. The thanks of the Colony are due to • Mr. Philip Cunliffc Owen, the indefatigable Secretary to the Royal Commission, for the great pains taken by him to secure every advantage for the Colonies. Indeed, it was through his exertions that I was enabled to be of somewhat more service to New Zealand than might otherwise have been the case. We are also much indebted for the early attractiveness of our Court to Dr. Featherston and Mr. Buller, who have obtained many articles of importance for exhibition from friends of New Zealand in Great Britain. The careful classification by Dr. Hector of many of the specimens sent direct from the Colony, naturally calls for attention, as it increased their educational value, and prevented an otherwise unavoidable loss of time in unpacking and re-arranging them. I left Vienna on 14th May, and returned to England with the. strong impression that the New Zealand Court at Vienna would be far from the least interesting part of the most magnificent Exhibition that the world has yet seen. I may, perhaps, be allowed to suggest that many articles exhibited by the Government and by individuals, which have little or no intrinsic worth, would be highly valued by Museums and Scientific Societies, and that it would be a graceful recognition of their courtesy to us, as well as useful to the Colony, if they were presented through Professor Yon Hochstetter to the various institutions of this kind in Vienna. Botanical, mineralogical, and zoological specimens and collections of raw material might thus be utilized. Trusting that I may have fulfilled the honorable duties intrusted to mc by the Colony to the satisfaction of the Government, I am, &c., The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chas. Clifford.

No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 20th October, 1873. I transmit for your information a copy of papers in connection with the representation of the Colony at the International Exhibition at Vienna, which were printed and laid before Parliament at its recent Session here. Amongst these papers you will observe a letter from SirC. Clifford, detailing his proceedings as Commissioner for New Zealand on the occasion of the opening of the Exhibition. I enclose the reply of the Government to Sir C. Clifford's despatch, which I request you will cause to be delivered to that gentleman; and I also enclose a copy of the same for your own information. You will observe that Sir C. Clifford makes especial mention of the names of Professor yon Hochstetter, and Mr. Philip Cunliffc Owen, and of Mr. Phillips Bevan, as conspicuous for the valuable aid they have given in their respective capacities. I request that you will convey to those gentlemen the warm acknowledgments of the Government, on behalf of the Colony, for the able assistance they have rendered to New Zealand on this occasion. You will also perceive that Sir C. Clifford suggests " That many articles exhibited by the Government and by individuals, which have little or no intrinsic worth, would be highly valued by museums and scientific societies, and that it would be a graceful recognition of their courtesy to us, as well as useful to the Colony, if they were presented through Professor yon Hochstetter to the various institutions of this kind in Vienna." In this opinion the Government entirely concur,- and I have to request that you will endeavour to obtain the valuable co-operation of Professor yon Hochstetter with a view of carrying out Sir Charles's recommendation, placing at the Professor's disposal the whole of the exhibits contributed by the Government of New Zealand, as well as those forwarded by private individuals, the ultimate disposal of which was left at the discretion of the Government. In conclusion, I desire to express the feeling of sincere regret with which the Government learned that the Colony was not to have the benefit of your personal attendance as its Commissioner at the opening ceremony, and in the arrangement of the exhibits sent to represent its resources. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. William H. Reynolds.

Enclosure in No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to Sir Charles Clifford. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 20th October, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your interesting letter of the sth of June, in which you give an account of your proceedings as the Commissioner to represent New Zealand at the opening of the International Exhibition at Vienna in May, 1873.

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Permit me, on behalf of the Government aud of the Colony, to convey to you our thanks for the handsome manner in which you undertook the highly important and responsible office of Commissioner to represent the Colony at the Exhibition, and for the very judicious steps you took whilst there to further the interests of the country, in whose history your name takes a prominent position. Your suggestion that the exhibits contributed by the Government and by private individuals, which have little or no intrinsic worth, should be presented through Professor yon Hochstetter to the museums and scientific societies in Vienna, meets with the cordial approval of the Government; and the Agent-General has been instructed to place in the hands of the learned Professor the whole of the exhibits sent by the Government, as well as those from individuals who have left their disposal in the power of the Government. Dr. Featherston, whose absence from Vienna at the opening of the Exhibition is a matter of sincere regret to the Government, has further been requested to convey the thanks of the Colony to Professor yon Hochstetter, to Mr. Philip Cunliffc Owen, and to Mr. Phillips Bevan, for the valuable and important services which those gentlemen have rendered to the Colony in connection with the Exhibition. I have, &c., Sir C. Clifford, care of Agent-General. William H. Reynolds.

• No. 3. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 28th November, 1873. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Government, that the Vienna Exhibition was formally closed on the 2nd instant. Mr. Bevan, who has reported himself at this office, informs me that the New Zealand exhibits are packed and on the way to London. By next mail I shall send the Government a general report on the subject. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 4. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 23rd December, 1873. In pursuance of my letter of the 28th November, No. 818, I have the honor to submit for the information of the Government, the following general report of my proceedings in connection with the recent Exhibition of Vienna. I have from time to time forwarded interim reports, in order to keep the Government informed of what was being done to insure a proper representation of the Colony on this occasion ; but as it may be necessary to justify to the Assembly an expenditure somewhat in excess of the sum voted for this purpose, I think it is desirable that I should now recapitulate the principal facts, and give a connected account of the undertaking from the beginning :— On the 27th June, 1872, I did myself the honor to address a communication to the Government, directing attention to the approaching Exhibition, which even then promised to be on a very magnificent scale, and pointing out the value to New Zealand of such an opportunity of advertising to the world her natural resources and the quality of her products. I ventured on that occasion to specify the various classes of exhibits that would best illustrate the industrial resources and natural productions of the country, and to indicate generally what ought to be done in order to secure to us an adequate footing alongside of the other Australian Colonies. The Government, immediately on the receipt of my despatch, published it in the New Zealand Gazette, and invited the co-operation of the various scientific societies, and of tbe colonists generally, in giving effect to the proposed Exhibition. To the prompt action thus taken by the Government, and to the ready response which it elicited in the Colony, must be mainly attributed the great success which has attended the undertaking. On receiving from the Government official intimation that my recommendations had been approved, and that exhibits were being collected in the several Provinces, I lost no time in putting myself into direct communication with Professor yon Hochstetter and others, whose services were likely to prove of benefit to the Colony on such an occasion. In connection also with Sir Charles Clifford, who had been appointed co-Commissioner with myself to represent the Colony at Vienna, I issued a printed circular, and addressed copies to a number of gentlemen in this country interested in, and more or less connected with, New Zealand, inviting them to assist by the loan of paintings of New Zealand scenery, cabinets constructed of native woods, specimens of natural history, and any other objects calculated toillustrate the natural wealth and material progress of the Colony.

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The very general response which this appeal elicited among friends of the Colony resident in this country was as gratifying as it was unexpected ; for, knowing the risks which are incurred in lending valuable pictures and works of art to public exhibitions, I could not have felt surprised at a general disinclination to assist. On the contrary, the promises of friendly aid were so numerous that it soon became apparent to the Commissioners that the space in the Exhibition allotted to the New Zealand Court, which had originally appeared too large, would prove wholly insufficient to meet their requirements. Under these circumstances (with the concurrence of my co-Commissioner), I applied to the representatives of the adjoining South Australian Court for a share of their unoccupied space, an application which was readily acceded to. Among the objects thus contributed, I may mention more particularly a splendid collection of New Zealand birds, brought from the Colony by Mr. James Brogden, and mounted at his own expense in plate glass show cases, and in the best style of modern art; also a painting of New Zealand scenery (valued at 200 guineas), lent by Mr. Alexander Brogden, M.P. Mr. Dawson Rowley, of Brighton, kindly agreed to exhibit the unique specimen of the moa's egg in his possession, and sent it up to London for that purpose; but having regard to the great value of this specimen, and to the risk incurred in the tranmission of such an object to Vienna, I was reluctantly compelled to decline the offer. Mr. Larkworthy, the Managing Director of the Bank of New Zealand, Mr. Commissary Jones, C.8., and other gentlemen, dismantled their drawing-rooms in order to place New Zealand pictures at my disposal; Dr. Lauder Lindsay forwarded his geological and other collections; and many others showed an equal amount of zeal in the cause. I ought not, however, to omit the names of Mr. C. Thorne, of Mark Lane, Mr. Forbes, of Dundee, and Mr. Lockhart, of Kirkcaldy, through whose joint and untiring efforts (added to the contributions in the same branch from the Colony) I was enabled to make a magnificent display of the Phormium tenax, in the raw and manufactured states, more especially with relation to the adaptability of this fibre to the purposes of textile fabrics. Having made my selection of the proffered collections, and ascertained (from the packing lists) the nature of the contributions to be expected from the Colony, I at once caused a preliminary classified list to be prepared, and forwarded this to Mr. Cunliffe Owen, the Secretary to the Royal Commission, for publication in the first edition of the Official Catalogue of British Exhibits. The next step was to secure the services of a qualified agent to make the necessary preparations in the New Zealand Court, to receive the exhibits as they should arrive, and to superintend their classification and arrangement for public exhibition. With a view to economy on this head, I entered into a joint arrangement with the Commissioners of two other Colonies (Victoria and Queensland) to employ Mr. Phillips Bevan, a gentleman in every way fitted for such a post, to take the entire charge of the Australian and New Zealand Courts, and to act generally as Colonial Agent at the Exhibition. I may here mention that the manner in which Mr. Bevan has executed the task allotted to him, proves that our choice was a fortunate one. His report is appended hereto (Enclosure 1), and it has afforded me pleasure to convey to him officially an expression of my satisfaction and approval. (Copy herewith—Enclosure 2.) At this stage of my proceedings I received from Professor yon Hochstetter (to whom I applied in anticipation of your instructions) a cordial assurance of his readiness to co-operate with me in every way for the benefit of the Colony. He willingly agreed to undertake the charge of Dr. Haast's skeletons of Dinornis, and to superintend their articulation and setting up; a task which he afterwards performed in a very skilful manner. Having in my interim reports mentioned the arrival of the various consignments of exhibits from the Colony, it is unnecessary for me to refer again to that subject, beyond stating that everything was safely received, without (so far as I am aware) sustaining injury or damage of any kind whatever. Having given the necessary instructions to Mr. Bevan for the arrangement of the New Zealand Court—adopting in the main the recommendations conveyed in Dr. Hector's valuable memoranda on the subject—and having intrusted to Mr. Carter the duty of receiving and personally superintending the packing of the exhibits here, I entered into a contract with Messrs. Sage and Co. (the well-known casemakers) to furnish the necessary show-cases, at a certain fixed hire, giving me the option of their purchase at a price agreed upon, in case they should be required by the Government at the close of the Exhibition; and further, that the contractors should bear the whole risk of transmitting the cases to and from Vienna. This arrangement, as the result has proved, was a very advantageous one for the Colony, the amount of breakage in transitu, owing to the rough usage of goods on some of the Continental lines of railway, having been considerable. With regard to the exhibits themselves—both those sent from the Colony and those contributed here—l deemed it right to adopt the precaution of insuring them against loss by fire or shipwreck, notwithstanding the high rates of premium that were charged. Before the opening of the Exhibition, in pursuance of the instructions of the Government, I employed skilled draftsmen to prepare suitable show-cards (12 inches square) to accompany all the principal exhibits; each of these cards having a conspicuous heading to distinguish the Colony, and a concise description of the object, with the name of the exhibitor, in English, German, and French. By means of these legible labels, a person passing through the Court could form a tolerably fair idea of the origin and character of the objects presented to his gaze. But

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in order to render the collections more intelligible and interesting to the general public, and to give them a practical value, I had printed a full descriptive catalogue of all the objects in the New Zealand Court, in three languages (English, German, aud French), and arranged for convenience of reference in the following manner: — Part I. List of exhibits sent from New Zealand to the Vienna Exhibition. Part 11. List of New Zealand exhibits sent from England to the Vienna Exhibition. To this was added a careful index, and the compilation has proved, I believe, of considerable value, as affording in a convenient form a guide to the Court, and a concise exposition of the various resources and products of the Colony. It was extensively sold and distributed at Vienna, and a number of copies have been circulated also in England and Scotland. It was made an official record by the Royal Commissioners, and became the basis of the Jurors' investigations and awards as regards New Zealand. Apart from the desire to make the New Zealand Court as attractive and instructive as possible, it appeared to me that the opportunity of so large a concourse of people was a favourable one for stimulating emigration; and I accordingly caused Mr. Barclay's " Notes on New Zealand," prepared originally under my own superintendence, to be translated into German, and issued in a convenient pamphlet form. Mr. Bevan states iv his report that from two and a half to three millions of persons must have visited the New Zealand Court from first to last; and as he distributed copies of this pamphlet only among those seeking information about the Colony, charging a nominal price for it, I venture to think that the cost of translating and printing it was money wisely expended, and likely to prove more or less productive. Having completed the arrangements described in the foregoing pages, and consented to act as one of the British Jurors, it may be readily imagined that the inability to attend at the opening of the Exhibition, owing to the state of my health, was a severe disappointment to me. My co-Commissioner, however, Sir Charles Clifford, very readily agreed to undertake the office of representing the Colony on the occasion, and proceeded to Vienna for that purpose at his own expense. He had the distinguished honor of receiving their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales on their visit to the New Zealand Court; and as the representative of the Colony, he met with much attention from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Austria, and from the civic authorities of Vienna. How well Sir Charles performed the office he had thus generously undertaken, may be inferred from the report of his proceedings which he furnished to the Government on his return to London. Although unable to be present at the opening ceremony, I was enabled at a later period, and when the Exhibition was in a more advanced condition, to visit Vienna, where I remained for nine or ten days; and I was present at the public ceremonial of distributing the prizes and awards. The number of these distinctions which fell to the lot of New Zealand is stated in Mr. Bevan's report, and may be accepted as some evidence of the relative value of her exhibits as compared with those of the other British departments. During my stay in Vienna, I had numerous personal applications for information relative to the New Zealand products, particularly-as to timber, kauri gum, flax, coal, and iron ore. In furnishing information on these various heads, I derived much assistance from the volume published by the Commissioners of the New Zealand Exhibition in 1865, under the title of " Jurors' Reports and Awards," —from Dr. Hector's various Geological Reports, and from the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. The goods manufactured by Mr. Burns at the Mosgicl Woollen Mills, and those exhibited by Webley Brothers, of Nelson, attracted a considerable amount of attention and were much commended, particularly the tweeds, which were pronounced by competent judges to be of very superior quality. The whole of these were sold by the Colonial Agent, for the benefit of the exhibitors, in accordance with my instructions, but I have not yet received an account of the proceeds. As will be seen from Mr. Bevan's report, a large number of samples of the various Native products were given to public institutions, and distributed among persons interested in the Colony. During the continuance of the Exhibition and at its close, I kept Mr. Bevan fully posted with instructions on all points, and especially with reference to the ultimate disposal of the various objects, in terms of instructions I had received from the Colony. As Mr. Bevan has already reported, owing to the very high prices placed by exhibitors on their goods, he was unable to effect many sales. My letter to him of 17th October (copy herewith, Enclosure 3) will explain more in detail the nature of my instructions on this head, and Mr. Bevan's account of sales (not yet received) will show the result. The skeletons of Dinornis sent by Dr. Haast, and likewise his collection of stuffed birds, were handed over to Professor yon Hochstetter at the close of the Exhibition, in accordance with instructions. I may add, that having understood from Dr. Haast that the Government had agreed to defray the cost of articulating these skeletons, and mounting the birds, I paid, on the application of Professor yon Hochstetter, the expense incurred under this head. The returned exhibits (comprising 54 cases) have arrived in London within the last few days, and are at present stored in one of the rooms of this building, which I have hired for the purpose. No time will be lost in distributing the bulk of them, and in shipping those intended for the Colony. The cases containing exhibits marked " Colonial Museum, London," will be retained here, pending further instructions from the Government respecting them.

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A handsomely bound copy of " Buller's Birds of New Zealand," exhibited by tbe Commissioners, was (at the suggestion of Professor yon Hochstetter) presented by me, in the name of the Colony, to the Crown Prince of Austria, to whom I was informed it would be an acceptable gift. I have now given as full a report as seems necessary of my proceedings in connection with this undertaking, in the joint capacity of Agent-General and Commissioner; and I trust that they will meet with approval, and that, although it has been necessary to exceed the vote of the Assembly, the Government will recognize that throughout the whole business I have endeavoured to use the utmost economy consistent with the effectual carrying out of my instructions, and the proper representation of the Colony on so important an occasion. Looking at results, I can only say that I feel amply rewarded for the trouble and anxiety which the work has necessarily involved, and that I cannot but feel proud of the position taken by the Colony, not merely as compared with the adjoining Australian Courts, but indeed as viewed generally in relation to the whole Exhibition. I may h,ere mention that the Royal Commissioners are desirous of preserving a record of the Colonial Courts, by publishing, in an official form, a short descriptive account of the Colonies and their products, and have intrusted its compilation to Mr. W. Robinson, of the Colonial Office, who acted as Special Commissioner for the Crown Colonies at the Vienna Exhibition. The manuscript of the portion relating to New Zealand was recently submitted to me by Mr. Robinson for revision, and he appears to have executed his task in a very creditable manner. I cannot close this report without again bearing testimony to the invaluable assistance rendered to me throughout this undertaking by Mr. Walter Buller, without whose aid, as I have in a previous despatch informed the Government, it would have been quite impossible to carry it through successfully. It will be satisfactory to the Government to learn, that, since the close of the Exhibition, His Majesty the Emperor of Austria has been pleased to confer upon me, as the representative of the Colony, the Commander's Cross of the Imperial Order of Francis Joseph. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, Agent-General, apd one of the Commissioners for The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. New Zealand at the Vienna Exhibition. P.S. —Since writing the above report I have received, through Major-General Latour, a handsome expression of thanks from His Highness the Crown Prince Rudolf, and I beg to forward herewith (Enclosure 4) a copy thereof for the information of the Government. I. E. F.

Enclosure 1 in No. 4. Mr. Bevan to the Agent-General. Sir, — London, 3rd December, 1873. I beg to lay before you the following brief report on the New Zealand section of the Colonial Gallery at the Vienna Universal Exhibition. At the end of March I proceeded to Vienna, in accordance with your instructions, and as soon as I received the various New Zealand exhibits, I arranged them in the most instructive and attractive form, bearing in mind that I had comparatively little space in which to place all the articles. I am happy to inform you that, in common with the other Australian Colonies, the New Zealand Court was visited by a vast number of people—l should roughly estimate by at least two and a half to three millions. Many days, indeed, they were so crowded that locomotion was rendered difficult, and the interest manifested by all classes of visitors was exceedingly warm. A large number of scientific men of the highest reputation, from Austria, Germany, France, Norway, Russia, Italy, and other countries, were visitors here, and expressed their admiration at the very excellent and typical show of industrial resources exhibited by New Zealand and her fellow-colonies of Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. Copious notes were taken by many literary and scientific reporters, and the number of questions daily asked and answered proved that the interest attached to the exhibits was not merely that of the passing lounger. Amongst other visitors I would specially mention His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty the late Emperor, their Royal Highnesses the Archdukes Raimer, Charles, Louis, and Albrecht, "their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, their Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Teck, Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Baden, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Germany, His Majesty the King of the Belgians, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Bavaria, His Majesty the King of Saxony, the Crown Prince of Hanover, &c. It will be seen that the juries of the Exhibition were enabled to bestow great praises on the exhibits, and that the Colony carried off two medals for progress, twelve medals for merit, and twenty-five honorable mentions, —in all, thirty-nine distinctions. In the month of July I gave a banquet to the jurors for food and wines, and other officials connected with the Exhibition, to which about fifty sat down. All the viands were, with one or two exceptions, of Australian and New Zealand produce, and met with unqualified approbation.

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If there was one thing more than another which attracted general observation, I should say it was the group of articulated moas (Dinornis) sent by Dr. Haast, and set up by Professor yon Hochstetter. At the close of the Exhibition, according to instructions, I delivered these birds to the last-named gentleman. Great interest was also shown in Mr. Brogden's cases of birds and Mr. Thome's display of Phormium tenax and its manufactures. Towards the end of the Exhibition the application for samples for museum and trade purposes were innumerable, and nearly all the time that my very limited staff had at its disposal was occupied in attending to these inquiries. Complete series of samples of various kinds were made up and given to the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce in Vienna, the Director of the Queen's Gardens, the Royal Society of Switzerland, the Agricultural Society of Berlin, the Royal Museum of Tunis, the Imperial Museum of Cracow, the Royal Museum of Lisbon, the Imperial Douane Museum of Russia, the Forestry School of Vienna, the Ackcrton Ministerium, the Institute- of Commerce at Antwerp, the Imperial Mineralogical Museum at Vienna, the Geological Institute at Vienna, the Geographical Society, the Hamburgh Museum, besides innumerable small samples to school inspectors, directors, and private individuals. The exhibits which were allowed to be sold were disposed of where possible; but I. would remark that the exhibitors generally put far too high a price on their goods, forgetting that they were competing with all the world, and that the number of buyers was very limited. But I think that, on the whole, the prices obtained were quite as good as could be expected. In conclusion, I may well congratulate the Colony on by far the most successful display that has ever been made in Europe, much exceeding that of Paris in 1867; and J am certain that a very great step has been taken towards placing Australia and New Zealand in a position of high repute iv the commercial and scientific world of Austria and Germany. , I have, &c, G. Phillips Bevan, Agent for the Australian Colonies at Vienna. The Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. The Agent-General to Mr. Bevan. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., ' Sir,— 18th December, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your interesting report of 3rd instant, containing an account of your proceedings iv connection with the New Zealand Court at the Vienna Exhibition. In compliance with your suggestion, conveyed iv your private letter of the same date, I shall have much pleasure in joining with the other Australasian Colonies (to the extent of £o), in granting a bonus to your assistant, Mr. Leopold, as a reward for his diligence and activity in that capacity. In conclusion I beg, on behalf of the Government of New Zealand, and likewise in the name of my co-Commissioner, Sir Charles Clifford, to convey to you an expression of our entire approval of the manner in which you have carried out our instructions, and our sense of the zeal and ability with which you have discharged your duties as Agent for the Colony at the Vienna Exhibition. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, Agent-General for New Zealand, and one of the Phillips Bevan, Esq., Commissioners for the Vienna Exhibition. 8, Arundel Street, Coventry Street, W.

Enclosure 3 in No. 4. The Agent-General to Mr. Bevan. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 17th October, 1873. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your instruction and guidance, printed lists of the exhibits in the New Zealand Court, with written directions as to the disposal of the various articles. The exhibits marked " To be returned " are to be forwarded to this office at the close of the Exhibition. Those intended for Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury must be separately packed ready for shipment to those ports. I shall feel obliged by your furnishing me with a written statement of the contents of each of these cases. The cabinets from Auckland, marked £100, may be sold for £80; but if not disposed of at that figure, must be carefully packed for transmission to New Zealand. Such of Mr. Kohn's jewellery as you may not have found purchasers for at the prices named, at the close of the Exhibition must be returned to Auckland. ,

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You will please to exercise the utmost care in superintending the packing, so as to prevent damage in transitu; and it will be desirable to protect all perishable articles (such as feather mats, &c.) by having tin-lined cases. The timbers marked in the list now sent " for Kew Museum " should be packed separately, so as to be forwarded direct from this office to Dr. Hooker. Where the instruction simply is "To be sold," it is not my intention that you should do more than obtain an offer, and forward it for my approval. I refer to such exhibits as the bars of melted and refined gold, &c, as these may be sold to better advantage in London. In the case of wools, grain, and agricultural produce, New Zealand Phormium, and woollen goods, I must leave you to use your own discretion as to price, as I am unwilling to incur the expense of bringing those exhibits back to London. The inlaid table of New Zealand woods is the property of the Nelson Government. The cost of bringing it over would be considerable, and I am therefore desirous of finding a purchaser for it, if possible, at Vienna. At the same time Ido not feel justified in sacrificing' it. It occurs to me that the best mode of dealing with it will be to get some reliable cabinetmaker to value it, and to offer it at the price he may name. In the event of your having a reasonable offer for it, although it may fall short of the valuation, you will please submit to me the offer before finally packing the table. The collection of New Zealand preserved meats is the property of Mr. Tallerman. As soon as I have ascertained his wishes, I will instruct you in regard thereto. As the paintings exhibited by Mr. Brogden and Mr. Larkworthy are of considerable value, I shall feel obliged by your personally superintending the packing of them, in order that every precaution may be taken to prevent damage. The same remark applies to Mr. Brogden's collection of birds. Owing to defective packing here, some of these cases were seriously injured on their way to Vienna, and I am anxious to guard against a repetition of the same on their return. You will be good enough to keep the proceeds of the several exhibits separate in your account of the sales to be rendered to this department. Dr. Haast has communicated with Professor yon Hochstetter respecting his moa skeletons and collection of birds. I have to request that you will afford the Professor any facility and assistance in removing them at the close of the Exhibition. I shall be happy to give you any further instructions that you may require, and to entertain favourably any recommendations that your experience may suggest, especially as to the various articles marked " For sale." I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, Agent-General for New Zealand, and Commissioner Phillips Bevan, Esq., of Vienna Exhibition. British Colonies, Vienna Exhibition.

Enclosure 4 in No. 4. [Translated from the Crerman.J Sir,— Vienna, 20th December, 1873. His Imperial Highness the Crown Princej Archduke Rudolph, has received with great pleasure the excellent work " History of the Birds of New Zealand," by W. L. Buller, presented to him by you in the name of the Colony of New Zealand, and has commissioned me to request that you will express his sincere thanks for this present, not only to the Colony of New Zealand, but also to the esteemed author of this beautiful work, Dr. Walter Lawry Buller. His Imperial Highness will keep this excellent work as a fitting memento of the representation of the Colony of New Zealand in the Vienna Exhibition, and especially of the instructive exhibition of extinct and living birds of that far-off island kingdom. Yours most respectfully, Latour, General Major Instructor to the Crown Prince.

No. 5. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 18th March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 864, 23rd December, 1873,) reporting your proceedings in connection with the recent Vienna Exhibition. In reply, I have to convey to you the thanks of the Government for the manner in which you have carried out their wishes in reference to the Exhibition. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Daniel Pollen.

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No. 6. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 13th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 20th October (No. 134), covering copies of papers in connection with the representation of the Colony at the International Exhibition at Vienna. Your communication enclosed therein has been forwarded to Sir Charles Clifford, and letters of thanks have been addressed to the gentlemen named by you. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Wellington. Agent-General.

v.. No. 7. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 22nd January, 1874. Referring to your letter of 20th October (No. 134), instructing me to give effect to Sir Charles Clifford's recommendation, by placing at Professor yon Hocbstetter's disposal the whole of the exhibits contributed by the Government of New Zealand, as well as those forwarded by private individuals, the ultimate disposal of which was left at the discretion of the Government, I have the honor to state, for the information of the Government, that before receiving your letter I had carried out your former instructions, and the exhibits marked for " Colonial Museum, London," had actually arrived here. As I have already reported in my letter of 23rd December, No. 864, the packages so marked will be stored in these buildings, pending further instructions from the Government. I have, &c., I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 8. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 936, of the 22nd of January, in which you request instructions as to the disposal of the exhibits at the Vienna Exhibition now in your possession. In reply, I have to inform you that the Government leave the disposal to your own discretion, but suggest the Crystal Palace as being probably as suitable a place of deposit for the exhibits as the Colonial Museum. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Daniel Pollen.

No. 9. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,—- sth March, 1874. In continuation of my report of 23rd December (No. 864), on the Vienna Exhibition, I have the honor to forward herewith the revised list of awards, which I have only to-day received from Mr. Cunliffe Owen, the Secretary to the British Commission. I beg to recommend the publication of this list in the New Zealand Gazette, for the information of exhibitors and the public generally. I beg at the same time to forward, as a further appendix to my general report, the accompanying extract of a letter received from Mr. Kirchner, of Darmstadt, who attended the Exhibition as Agent for the Queensland Section. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General. 2—H. 7.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 9. Awards. —Colonial Awards, Vienna Universal Exhibition, 1873.* NEW ZEALAND. Group I.— Mining, Quarrying, and Metallurgy. Government of New Zealand (Geological and Mineralogical Models) .. Medal for merit. Haast, Julius (Canterbury Museum) .. .. .. .. Medal for merit. Group ll.— Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry. Anstey, G. A... .. .. ... .. .. . . Honorable mention. Bluett, J. G. .. .. .. .. • • • - • • Medal for merit. Chinery, Rangiora .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Cunningham, P., and Co. (Grain).. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Dumerque and Place, Waikuku .. .. .. . . . . Medal for merit. Goulter, C. (New Zealand Flax) .. .. .. .. .. Medal for merit. Lane, W. H. (Grain) .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Meek, J. and T. .. .. .. .. • .. • • Honorable mention. New Zealand Agricultural Society (Grain) . . .. .. . . Honorable mention. New Zealand Wood Collection .. .. .. .. .. Medal for merit. Rogers, J. H. .. .. .. .. . • .. . • Honorable mention. Tosswill, J. N. .. .. .. ■. . • • Honorable mention: Wood, W. D. .. .. .. .. • • • • • • Honorable mention. Group lll.— Chemical Industry. Bcenicke . . . . .. .. . . .. .. Honorable mention. Brown and Campbell . . .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Combes and Daldy . . .. . . .. ~ .. Honorable mention. Henderson and Macfarlane .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Nattrass, Luke .. .. . . .. .. .. Honorable mention. Owen and Graham . . . . . . .. .. .. Honorable mention. Walker, R., and Co. . . . . . . .. .. . . Honorable mention. Group IV.— Substances of Food as Products of Industry. Canterbury Meat Preserving Company .. . . .... Medal for merit. Caukwell, W. T., and Co. ' .. .. .. .. .. Medal for merit. Cunningham, P., and Co. .. .. .. .. .. Medal for progress. Dornwell, A. . . .. . . .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Gilmore, J. .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Pannell, G. .. . . .. . . . . .. .. Medal for merit. Reeves and Co. .. .. . . .. . . .. Medal for merit. Trent, E. W. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Group V. — Textile Industry and Clothing. Agent-General in England .. .. .. .. .. Medal for merit. Afford, H. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..' Honorable mention. Auckland Patent Steam Rope C 0... .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Bevan and Sons ..' .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Brogden, James .. .. . . . . . . . . Honorable mention. Burns, A. J., and Co. .. .. .. .. .. .. Medal for merit. Canterbury Flax Association .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Colonial Museum .. .. .. .. .. .. Medal for merit. Cooke, W. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Grant and C 0... .. ... .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Lennon, T. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Lockhardt, T. N. .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Simons and Malcolm ..• .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Tarahora .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Thorne, Cornelius .. .. .. .. .. .. Medal for progress. Webley Brothers .. .. .. .. .. .. Medal for merit. Webley Brothers, Nelson .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Group Vl.— Leather and India-rubber Industry. Wilson, T. (Leather) .. .. .. .. ..- .. Honorable mention. * As issued by the Austrian authorities.

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Group VIII. — Wood Industry. Graham, Robert (Maori Carvings) .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Seuffert, Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Group XXVl.— Education, Teaching, and Instruction. Buller, Dr. W. Lawry .. .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention. Lindsay, Dr. W. Lauder .. .. .. .. .. Honorable mention.

Enclosure 2 in No. 9. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Kirchner to the Agent-General for New Zealand. 14th January, 1874. ********* It would have been better if your collection could have been arranged by Professor yon Hochstetter. Your catalogue, however, made up for any slight confusion; the other Colonies had no catalogues, and, consequently, many exhibits of importance were overlooked. New Zealand had the advantage of Professor yon Hochstcttcr's friendly offices; he appeared very frequently with the Crown Prince of Austria in your exhibition, when he drew great crowds together, who listened with much interest to the glowing description of New Zealand which he gave from his personal experience. As my attention was mostly devoted to Queensland, I was only able to give, now and then, information about your Colony to some casual inquirers. It seemed to me that your wheat commanded more attention. Numbers of agriculturists were eager to procure samples, so that Mr. Bevan had to put a price on the same, and sold it at 6d. per small wineglassful. By some very intelligent farmers and millers your wheat was preferred to that from South Australia; they considered it would yield more flour and less bran, &c.; the colour of the flour might be slightly darker, but that would be no objection in Germany. The millers who looked at your samples of flour thought that the quality of it would be greatly improved by a slight admixture of the flour of Dinkel—a grain not much known in England (the dictionary gives as English name " Spelt "); it is much used in Germany with wheat-flour, improving the colour and making it cake more (I shall be glad to send you some seed for trial). Some of the above farmers asked me if beetroot was grown for sugar in your Colony; they thought the land that could produce such wheat eminently adapted for beetroot, which is now considered the most profitable crop in Germany for good land, although the home-grown beetroot sugar is subject to the same duty as the imported cane sugar. Madder-root also was mentioned as a likely and profitable crop for your land and climate. Your flax caused much attention; and I requested Mr. Bevan to distribute some amongst manufacturers and spinners who were desirous to make a trial of its adaptability to various purposes. Samples of your bark were given to the Imperial School of Chemistry, who will analyze and report thereon. Your tweed was found superior to the Victorian manufacture, and was purchased at prices which ought to pay the manufacturer. Lastly, the maps and geological surveys were much admired, and caused no small surprise at the advance of science in your remote Colony. I have still to mention a subject of some interest respecting New Zealand wheat. The year before last I procured for a friend, a large farmer at Mecklenburg, some samples of Australasian and other seed wheat. It was sown in patches of ground separately, adjoining each other, and all came up well; but the May frosts last year destroyed the Australian and Californian wheat, but did no damage to the New Zealand crop.

No. 10. The Hon. tbe Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 26th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth of March, in which you enclose a revised list of awards made by the Jurors of the International Exhibition at Vienna, in respect of articles sent from New Zealand; and an extract of a letter to yourself from Mr. Kirchncr, of Darmstadt, who attended as Agent for the Queensland Section. 2. I have caused the list of awards to be published in the Gazette, for the information of exhibitors and of the public generally, as suggested in your letter. 3. I have communicated the very interesting information afforded by Mr. Kirchncr's letter to the press; and the whole will be laid before Parliament with other papers relating to the Exhibition. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Daniel Pollen. By Authority: George Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB74. Price 9d.]

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