COLONIAL MUSEUM IN LONDON, (PAPERS RELATING TO).

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

H.—7a

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

COLONIAL MUSEUM IN LONDON, (PAPERS RELATING TO).

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

No. 1. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. 7, "Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S."W., Sin,— Ist April, 1874. As I was instructed to retain possession of the geological specimens and the Government property in the Vienna Exhibition " for the Colonial Museum, London," I inferred that it was the intention of the Government to give effect to the suggestion made by myself, in letter No. 109, of 21st February, 1873, that the colony should take part in the proposed Australasian Exhibition at South Kensington; and, on the application of the Agent-General for South Australia to join him in securing the necessary space, I decided on anticipating the instructions of the Government by agreeing to take one of the divisions in the Belgian Annexe on behalf of New Zealand. As the case did not admit of any reference to the colony, I adopted this course on my own responsibility, and made an intimation accordingly to the authorities at the South Kensington Exhibition. Mr. Cole, C.8., the president (with whom, in company with Mr. Dutton, I inspected the site), having, however, at the last moment raised a difficulty about letting us have a part of space unless ho had from us some guarantee that the whole of the Belgian Annexe would be taken up, and the delay thus occasioned having made it quite impossible to do anything in time for the forthcoming exhibition, I have now determined to stay my hand altogether till I can hear from the Government on the subject. Ido so the more readily as lam informed by the Agent-General for Victoria (who took part in a similar exhibition last year) that the necessary expenses of such an undertaking would be considerably heavier than I had been led to suppose. The enclosed schedule, kindly supplied by him, will give you an idea of what the expenditure would be. As soon as I had decided on having our colony represented, I put myself in communication with gentlemen who were likely to assist me with loans and donations. Mr. James Brogden, whose collection of birds attracted so much attention at Vienna, at once placed it at my disposal, as a deposit; and others signified their ready willingness to contribute. Allowing sufficient time for the purpose, I think I should have succeeded in getting up a very respectable show of New Zealand products, &c. But while I fully realize the value of such an exhibition, from every point of view, I think it quite possible that the expense of keeping it up would be more than commensurate with the advantages to the colony. At any rate, Ido not feel justified in taking any further step without specific instructions from the Government. In the meantime the collections received from the Vienna Exhibition are safely stored in these offices, although I have found it necessary to hire an additional room (at a rental of £40 per annum) for that special purpose. I have, &c, I. E. "Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 1. AIISTKALIAN ANNEXE, KENSINGTON, 1873. Statement of Expenditure made by the Agent-General for Victoria in connection with the Australian Annexe of the International Exhibition, London, 1873, on behalf of New South "Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. £ s. d. Manager's salary ... ... ... ... ... ... 181 0 0 "Wages ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 236 7 5 Cases ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 176 4 8 Furniture; blind?, looks, carpenters' work, &c. ... ... ... 144 1 11 Police 143 4 0 Stationery, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 19 2 9 Sundry expenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 16 6 £920 16 3

H.—7a

DIVISIBLE AS UNDER:

No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Ist June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 1105, of the Ist of April, upon the subject of representing the Colony of New Zealand at the South Kensington Exhibition of 1874, and in which you request instructions as to the disposal of the Vienna exhibits remaining in your hands. 2. My letter, No. 57, of the 22nd of May, 1873, will have informed you that the Government of this colony did not feel disposed to join with the other colonies in the cost of erecting a Colonial Court at the South Kensington Building. 3. You will by this time have received my letter, No. 50, of the 31st of March last, from which you will have perceived that the Government leave to your own discretion the disposal of the Vienna exhibits now in your possession. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Daniel Pollen.

No. 3. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Extract from a Telegram.) London, 2nd June. Cabnaevon anxious establish permanent Colonial Museum. New Zealand asked to contribute £2,000 for formation and maintenance. No further demand. Eeatherston.

No. 4. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to the Agent-Geneeal. Slß,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 30th June, 1&74. Referring to your telegram of the 2nd instant, and to previous correspondence on this subject, I have the honor to inform you that the Government will propose to Parliament a vote of £2,000 as a contribution from this colony towards the formation and maintenance of a permanent Colonial Museum in London, on the understanding that no further expenditure is to be asked for from New Zealand for this object. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Daxiel Pollen. By Authority: Gxobgb DIDSBrBY, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB74. Price 3d.]

New South Wales. South Australia. Victoria. Total. 'ayments chargeable generally 'ayments chargeable specially £ 8. d. 168 19 3 0 12 7 £ s. d. 168 19 4 18 3 £ s. d. 237 18 7 242 18 3 £ s. d. 675 17 2 244 19 1 169 11 10 170 7 7 580 16 10 920 16 8