Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1893 Session I | IMPERIAL INSTITUTE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE...

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1893. NEW ZEALAND.

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL RELATIVE TO).

Return to an Order of the Mouse of Representatives, dated 13th July, 1893. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House copies of any correspondence between the Government and the Agent-General: (1) On the subject of the encouragement or assistance offered to small farmers and others possessed of some capital to emigrate to New Zealand; (2), on the subject of the guaranteed aebentures, and of the £450,000 of Treasury bills authorised to be issued under section 2, ' The Public Revenues Act, 1892 '; (3) As to the Imperial Institute." —(Hon. Mr. Rolleston.)*

LBTTBES, ETC., FEOM THE AGENT-GENEEAL. No. 1. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 366.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Slß,— sth March, 1888. His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, President of the Imperial Institute, has recently addressed a letter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, requesting that he would move the Governments of the several colonies to authorise the steps necessary for speedily carrying into effect arrangements for the regular and expeditious supply to the Imperial Institute of official and other publications and documents relating to the commerce, agriculture, political economy, and the natural history and resources of the colonies ; enactments and official notifications by Colonial Governments, &c. ; and also for collecting and transmitting such works and documents as can be spared of the nature indicated, which have already been issued or published. The Secretary of State, in replying to this letter, has informed the Prince of Wales that he is transmitting a copy thereof to the Governments of all the colonies, requesting them to use their best efforts to insure the early transmission to the Institute of the publications and statistics indicated by His Eoyal Highness. At a recent conference between the Organizing Committee of the Institute and the AgentsGeneral for Australasia, Canada, and the Cape, a general desire was expressed to further the steps which are being taken towards the establishment of a Department of Commercial Intelligence, for the operations of which it is essential to secure the expeditious supply of the information which would be conveyed by such publications and documents as above indicated. I have taken upon myself, as a member of the Organizing Committee, to assure the Committee that the Government will be very glad to facilitate the systematic collection of information relating to the resources, commerce, and industries of the colony. On this subject I shall soon take an opportunity of addressing you again. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 2. Mbmoeandum from the Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaky. 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 23rd March, 1888. (No. 430.) Exhibits for Melbourne. Eefeeeing to my memorandum No. 372, I beg leave to transmit lists of the exhibits which have been shipped to Melbourne, addressed to the Commissioner at the New Zealand Court, by the s.s. " Oceana " and s.s. " Oroya," together with lists of those exhibits which have been retained at the Imperial Institute Stores. F. D. Bell.

* This return is in answer to pait (3) of the above. For return to No. 1, vide D-7 ; return to No. 2, nil.

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List of Exhibits remaining in the Store-room of the Imperial Institute.

* Note.—For particulars of these, see Sir J. Hector's Catalogue of Geological Exhibits in the Colonial and Indian Exhibition.

Mark of Package. Description. Inventory No. Contents. Place of Production. Exhibitor. N.Z. Case i Six pieces zinc blende Perseverance Mine, Collingwood, Nelson Waipara formation, vi. /. (Cretaceous), Jed Biver Waitaki series, v. c, (Upper Eocene), Waitaki Biver Waipara formation vi. h (Black Grit, cretaceous), Amuri Bluff Mount Potts beds, xi., Permian, Mount Potts Waipara formation, vi. h (Black Grit, cretaceous) Waipara formation, vi. h (Black Grit, cretaceous), Waipara Waipara formation, vi. /(Cretaceous), Waipara Waipara formation, vi. h (Cretaceous), Amuri Bluff Waipara formation, vi. / (Cretaceous), Jed Biver Waipara formation, vi. k (Cretaceous), Amuri Bluff Waitaki series, v. c, (Upper Eocene). Waitaki Biver Waipara formation, vi. (Cretaceous), Waipara Waitaki series, v. c (Upper Eocene) Waitaki Biver Waipara formation, vi. k (Cretaceous), Amuri Bluff Waitaki series, v. c (Upper Eocene), Waitaki Biver Waitaki series, v. c, Waitaki River A. D. Bayfield, Nelson. Sf.Z. 18 18 Mauisaurus haastii, paddle and 19 phalanges, casts of (marked No. 6) Geological Survey, Wellington. o Kekenodon onamata, cast of molar tooth (marked No. 21) Ditto. Crocodilus sp. (?), cast of vertebra (marked No. 19) Ichthyosaurus (?), cast of (marked No. 32) Plesiosaurus crassicostatus, cast of caracoid (marked No. 12) Plesiosaurus crassicostatus, cast of single vertebra (marked No. 13) Plesiosaurus australis, oast of vertebra (marked No. 14) Leiodon haumuriensis, cast of portion of left jaw and teeth (marked No. 5) Mauisaurus haastii, cast of coracoid (marked No. 8) Polycotylus tenuis, cast of vertebra (marked No. 15) « Kekenodon onamata, cast of ear bone marked No. 25) Plesiosaurus hoodii, cast of vertebra (marked No. 18) Kekenodon onamata, cast of sternum (marked No. 24) H Polycotylus tenuis, oast of humereus (marked No. 16) Kekenodon onamata, casts of incisor tooth (marked No. 22 and 23) Kekenodon onamata, east of portion of jaw of young specimen (marked No. 26a) Ammonites sisyplii and fossil wood, cast of (marked No. 28) Eight casts of fossils, marked respectively 9, 21, 27, 33, 35, 37, 38, and 39 Putataka series, vni. b Turcissica, Kawhia Names and places of production not stated Waipara formation, vi. h (Cretaceous), Amuri Bluff Waitaki series, v. c (Upper Eocene), Waitaki Biver Names and places of production not stated See footnote* Timaru '.Z. 22 22 Taniwhasaurus oweni, cast of skull, mandibles, and teeth (marked No. 1) If Kekenodon onamata, cast of section of jaw (marked 26) II if Four casts, marked respectively 2, 3, 31, and 199 r.z. 44 r.Z. 46 Case Block of stone Ditto. Specimens of rocks and minerals Block of anamesite, dressed Public Works Department, Wellington. Ditto. r.z. 47 r.Z. 48 r.z. 49 f.Z. 50 r.z. 51 f.Z. 52 i.Z. 53 r.z. 54 f.Z. 55 '.Z. 56 '.Z. 57 YZ. 58 ".Z. 59 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 Block of trachyte, dressed .. ,. Block of anamesite, dressed Block of dolerite, dressed Block of limestone, dressed Ditto Ditto Block of bluestone basalt, dressed Ditto Block of limestone, dressed Block of bluestone basalt, dressed Ditto Block of limestone, dressed Block of granite, dressed Block of limestone, dressed Banks Peninsula Kerry's Quarry, Timaru Moon Bay White Bock Mount Somers Ditto Karaka, Thames Auckland Mount Somers Auckland Karaka, Thames Mount Somers Adele (sic) Island Castle Hill it

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List of Exhibits remaining in the Store-room of the Imperial Institute— continued.

] I I ! . ;—. !— — •Note.—This is one of five pieces that formed the timber trophy exhibited by J. L. Campbell, Auckland.

Mark of Package. Description. :nventory No. Contents. Place of Production. Exhibitor. '.Z. 61 Block of stone. Ditto 61 Block of bluestone basalt, dressed Oreti Public Works Department, Wellington. Ditto. '.Z. 62 '.Z. 63 .Z. 64 '.Z. 65 '.Z. 66 .Z. 67 ,Z. 68 '.Z. 69 62 63 64 65 661 67/ 68 69 Block of dolerito breccia, dressed Block of limestone, dressed Block of Baglan building-stone, dressed Block of marble, dressed Two blocks of stone .. ... \ Port Chalmers Oamaru Place of production not stated Wanganui Names and places of production not stated Auckland Name and place of production not stated Wanganui Block of Baglan stone, dressed Block of stone T. B. Hill, Auckland. Public Works Department, Wellington. Ditto. '.Z. 70 '.Z. 71 '.Z. 72 .Z. 73 70 711 72 L 73 I Block of marble, dressed Exhibit of Oamaru building-stone, in three pieces : the middle piece is dressed and shaped, and the top piece carved with wood - working machinery One piece Panax edgerleyi (raukawa) .. Oamaru; Totara-tree V Stone Quarry, Oamaru Wellington Oamaru ; Totara - tree Stone Quarry Company, Oamaru. \Z. 99 Piece of timber. Ditto. 99 Public Works Department, Wellington.. Ditto. '.Z. 109 '.Z. Ill '.Z. 113 '.Z. 114 .Z. 115 Coal and coke (Pieces of) Pieces of coal. 109 111 113 114 One piece Wodonea viscosa (akeake) .. One piece Weimnannia racemosa (kumai) Five pieces of coal, and a quantity of coke Ten blocks of coal Seventeen pieces of coal Ditto Otago Brunner Coal Company's Colliery, Greymouth ; seam 17ft. thick Kaitangata Coal Company's Colliery, Otago; seam 19ft. thick Coalbrookdale Coal Company's Colliery, Buller; seam 19ft. thick Wallsend Coal Company's Colliery, Greymouth, seam 17ft. thick . Auckland Brunner Coal Company, Brunnerton, Greymouth. Kaitangata Coal Company, Otago. Coalbrookdale Coal Company, Buller, Nelson. " 115 .Z. 116 116 Twelve blocks coal ".. Wallsend Coal Company, Greymouth. .Z. 117 Pieces of timber. One piece Myoporum latum (ngaio) Public Works Department, Wellington. J. L. Campbell, Auckland. Public Works Department, Wellington. Ditto. 117 '.Z. 126 '.Z. 144 126 144 Section of kauri-pine, 5ft. 6in. diameter One piece Podocarpus totara (totara) .. See footnote* Wellington \Z. 146 ;.Z. 152 ;.Z. 167 146 152 167 One piece Knightia excelsa (rewarewa).. One piece Podocarpus spicata (matai) .. One piece (marked 190) Wanganui Wellington Name of place of production not stated Nelson » r.z. 170 170 One piece Dacrydium intermedium (manoao) Part of stand for trophy of kauri-pine .. Ditto .. .. •• •• One piece Dammara australis (kauri) .. a f.Z. 174 f.Z. 175 f.Z. 177 174 175 177 Auckland Ditto J. L. Campbell, Auckland. Ditto. Public Works Department, Wellington. Ditto. f.Z. 186 f.Z. 192 186 192 One piece Metrosideros robusta (rata) .. One piece (marked 155) Wanganui Name and place of production not stated Ditto Otago f.Z. 210 f.Z. 213 r.Z. 244 r.Z. 256 r.Z. 259 210 213 244 256 259 One piece (marked 165) One piece Weinmannia racemosa (kumai) One piece Alectryon excclsum (titoki) .. One piece Dammara australis (kauri) .. One piece (marked 345) Wanganui Auckland Name and place of production not stated Ditto. f.Z. 266 f.Z. 267 f.Z. 268 '.Z. 269 f.Z. 270 f.Z. 273 f.Z. 276 f.Z. 277 266 267 2G8 269 270 273 276 277 One piece Vitex littoralis (puriri) One piece Knightia excelsa (rewarewa) .. Ditto .. ... One piece Podocarpus totara (totara) .. One piece Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) One piece Olea cunninghamii (maire) .. One piece Alectryon excelsum (titoki) .. One piece Dacrydium cupressinum (rimu) Ditto .. .. ■• •• One piece Dammara australis (kauri) .. Ditto Ditto One piece Fagus fusca (hutu, tawhai) .. Name and place of production not stated A quantity of ironsand Auckland Place of production not stated Ditto f.Z. 279 f.Z. 280 f.Z. 281 f.Z. 282 f.Z. 284 f.Z. 286 r.z. 292 279 280 281 282 284 286 292 Westland Box Two large paintings, " Milford Sound" and " The White Terraces." Taranaki New Zealand Iron and Steel Co., Auckland. Government of New Zealand.

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No. 3. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. (No. 791.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Sic— 25th May, 1888. I beg leave to enclose copy of a letter I have received from Sir F. Abel, Organizing Secretary of the Imperial Institute, requesting to be informed which of the New Zealand exhibits, formerly in the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, and still-in his charge, are to be regarded as final gifts to the Institute. The circumstances under which the New Zealand exhibits were placed in charge of the officers of the Institute appear in the correspondence at the time ; and, whatever may have been the case with exhibits from other colonies, there was no understanding between those officers and myself differing in any way from what was expressed in the correspondence. Accordingly, when I received orders to send out such of the New Zealand exhibits as seemed best for the Melbourne Exhibition, they were at once returned to me. I should now be glad, having regard to the reasons given by Sir F. Abel for his present inquiry, if you would telegraph instructions to me whether the remainder of the exhibits (list of .which accompanied my memorandum, No. 430, of the 23rd March last), are to be finally handed over to the Institute, or, if not, what is to be done with them. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure in No. 3. Sir F. A. Abel to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Imperial Institute, London, 23rd May, 1888. It is no doubt within your recollection that, shortly after the close of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, and when proposals for continuing that Exhibition in some form in the succeeding year were under consideration, a number of exhibits from the New Zealand Court were permitted to remain with a view to their being utilised in any fresh collections which might be prepared. The articles referred to were eventually handed over to the custody of the Committee appointed by His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales for establishing and organizing the Imperial Institute, and when I entered upon the duties of Organizing Secretary they were placed in my care, it being tacitly understood that they were gifts to, and for the objects of, the Imperial Institute. Considerable expense was, and is, being incurred in properly stowing these articles and preserving them, as far as possible, from injury. At various times within the last eighteen months I have received requisitions, in some cases from Colonial Governments, and in others from private persons, who originally contributed the exhibits, to permit the removal of some of them to Colonial and Provincial Exhibitions, and they have been returned into my charge, in some instances more or less injured. On more than one occasion proprietary rights have been claimed by or on behalf of the original exhibitors. The building operations in connection with the Institute are likely to necessitate, within the next few weeks, the removal of the objects in question, which are at present housed in the building at South Kensington known as the Imperial Institute Stores, and, taking into consideration the fact that the expenses of removing and restowing the goods will have to be defrayed from the moneys subscribed by the public for the objects of the Institute, I should feel bound to advise the Organizing Committee to incur outlay only upon such articles as are fully conceded to be absolute gifts to the Institute, and have thereby become part of its property. I have therefore the honour to request that you will be so good as to inform me, at your earliest possible convenience, which, if any, of the objects transferred by your authority from the New Zealand Court of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition to the Imperial Institute Stores, are not to be regarded as gifts to the Institute. I am, &c, F. A. Abel, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Organizing Secretary.

No. 4. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. (No. 1296.) Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 6th September, 1888. I beg leave to express my thanks for your telegram of the 7th August, which I had asked you to send me on receipt of my letter of the 25th May, No. 791, with regard to the remaining exhibits out of those handed over to the officers of the Imperial Institute at the close of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. I have informed the Organizing Committee that these exhibits are now finally presented by the Government to the Institute. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 5. .The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 1856.) Sift; — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 29th December, 1888. I beg permission to inform you that the Governing Body of the Imperial Institute, at the command of the Prince of Wales, have for some time past been engaged in taking steps for the organization of a Commercial Intelligence Department, which it is expected will be productive of

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useful results, not only to the United Kingdom, but to the Colonies and India. These steps received the final sanction of His Eoyal Highness at a meeting at Marlborough House the other day. His Eoyal Highness has directed letters to be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and to their Excellencies the Governors of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, informing them generally of the objects desired to be attained by the formation of the proposed department, and stating that the Governing Body have decided to send out Sir Somers Vine, Assistant-Secretary of the Institute, to those colonies to give full explanations respecting those objects. The Governing Body has also addressed letters to yourself and the Premiers of Australia, acquainting you and them with what has been done, and inviting the good offices of the respective Governments in hearing what Sir Somers Vine is charged to explain, and in assisting him so far as may be deemed right in his mission. I beg to enclose copies of these letters, which will be delivered in original to His Excellency the Governor and yourself by Sir Somers Vine ; and also of a letter of introduction to you, which, at the request of the Governing Body, I have given to him. He leaves for the Straits Settlements and Queensland in the first days of January, will then come down the Australian coast to Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, and will probably arrive in New Zealand towards the latter part of March. I shall venture by an early mail to offer a few observations for your consideration upon the scheme which the Governing Body have in view. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. P. D. Bell.

Enclosure 1 in No. 5. Sir F. A. Abel to the Eight Hon. the Seceetaey of State foe the Colonies. My Loed, — Imperial Institute, Ist December, 1888. I have, by the direction of His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, the President, and the Governing Body of the Imperial Institute, to inform your Lordship that, with the view of supplying the members of certain Colonial Governments with full details and proposals in connection with the establishment of the Department of Commercial and Industrial Intelligence, and of securing the advice and co-operation of the local Governments and commercial bodies in reference thereto, it has been decided that my principal assistant (Sir Somers Vine) shall proceed to the following places : Singapore, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington, Port Victoria, and New Westminster (British Columbia), Montreal, Halifax (Nova Scotia), and Kingston (Jamaica). It is proposed that Sir Somers Vine should personally communicate with the Heads of Government of those colonies, and with such officials and prominent representatives of commerce, as they may consider it advantageous that he should approach, with the view to establish a system of correspondence with the Institute. I am, therefore, to ask whether your Lordship will be so good as to furnish Sir Somers Vine with official letters of instruction and recommendation to the Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada and the Governors at Singapore, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington, and Jamaica, with a view to promote the objects of his mission. Should your Lordship be disposed to comply with this request, I shall esteem it a favour if the letters asked for can be sent to me by the 20th of December next, as Sir Somers Vine is instructed to commence his journey by the end of the present year. I have, &c, F. A. Abel, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, G.C.M.G., &c, Organizing Secretary. Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure 2 in No. 5. Sir F. A. Abel to the Goveenoe of New Zealand. Sic, — Imperial Institute. I have the honour by direction of His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, the President, and the Governing Body of the Institute, to inform your Excellency that considerable progress has now been made towards the establishment of the Department of Commercial and Industrial Intelligence. The enclosed* printed papers.will, it is hoped, afford your Excellency useful information in respect of the objects of the department, and the directions in which its development is contemplated. With the view of supplying your Excellency and the members of your Government with full details of their proceedings and proposals, and of securing your valuable advice in reference thereto, the Governing Body have instructed my principal assistant, Sir Somers Vine, to visit Wellington, for the purpose of personally communicating with your Excellency, and with such officials and commercial representatives you may think expedient to refer him to. Sir Somers Vine is specially directed to describe to your Excellency the system of correspondence with various centres of the Empire which the Governing Body has in contemplation, and to seek your opinion and those of the various authorities and individuals to whom he may be referred, as to the value and expediency of establishing an agency at Wellington. Assuming it to be favourable, Sir Somers Vine is authorised to enter into preliminary negotiations with persons who are considered suitable to perform the duties of agent, and who may be willing to undertake those duties.

* Copies not obtainable.

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The Governing Body believe that your Excellency will have at your command the means and knowledge to recommend fit and competent occupants for this position, and venture to hope for your valuable aid in this particular. Sir Somers Vine is also charged to inform your Excellency in respect to the proposed establishment and maintenance up to date, in the Institute, of sample museums of natural and industrial products, and to obtain such details as it may be possible to give him as to the prospects of cooperation in this work by the Colony of New Zealand. Sir Somers Vine may be expected to arrive at Wellington in the month of April next. I have, &c, F. A. Abel, Organizing Secretary. His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, Wellington.

Enclosure 3 in No. 5. Sir F. A. Abel to the Hon. the Peemiee. Sic,— Imperial Institute. I have the honour, by direction of His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, the President, and the Governing Body of the Institute, to forward for your information the enclosed printed paper, setting forth the objects of the Department of Commercial and Industrial Intelligence of the Imperial Institute, towards the establishment of which considerable progress has been made. With the view of supplying you and the members of your Government with full details of the proposals relating thereto, and of securing your valuable advice in connection with them, the Governing Body have instructed my principal assistant (Sir Somers Vine) to visit New Zealand, and have requested the Agent-General of your Government to furnish him with a letter of introduction for the purpose of enabling him to personally communicate with you, and with such officials and commercial representatives as you may think fit to refer him to. Sir Somers Vine is instructed to describe to you the system of correspondence with various centres 'of the Empire which the Governing Body has in contemplation, and to seek your opinion, and those of the various authorities and individuals to whom he may be referred, as to the value and expediency of establishing an agency at Wellington. Should you think well of the proposal, Sir Somers Vine is authorised to enter into preliminary negotiations with persons who are considered competent, and who would be willing to perform the duties of agent. Sir Somers Vine is also charged to confer with you respecting another branch of the work of the Institute, namely, the establishment and maintenance up to date, in the Institute, of sample museums of natural and industrial products, and to obtain such details as it may be possible to give him as to the prospects of co-operation in this work by the Colony of New Zealand. Sir Somers Vine may be expected to arrive at Wellington in the month of April next. I have, &c, F. A. Abel, Organizing Secretary. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand.

No. 6. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemieb. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, S.W., 6th December, 1888. I have the honour to introduce to you Sir Somers Vine, Assistant Secretary of the Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India, whom the Governing Body of the Institute, with the sanction of His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, are sending to several colonies in order to take certain steps for the organization of an efficient Commercial Intelligence Department in connection with the Institute. I have assured Sir Somers Vine that he will receive from your Government all reasonable facilities to assist him in the task with which he has been charged. I am addressing you in another despatch upon the objects which His Eoyal Highness and the Governing Body of the Institute desire to attain by the formation of the proposed Intelligence Department. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. F. D. Bell.

No. 7. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 1758.) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 29th November, 1890. I beg to enclose a copy of a letter I have received from the Prince of Wales, requesting me to move your Government to take steps for obtaining an instalment of the contribution which His Eoyal Highness and the Governing Body of the Imperial Institute were led to hope would be granted to the Institute by New Zealand. I need not'bring to your recollection the circumstances connected with the proposal made in 1887 by Sir Eobert Stout's Government for a grant of £10,000, extending over ten years, as nothing seems to have come of it since. But on the return of Sir Somers Vine from his mission to the Australasian Colonies, and after receiving his report of what had taken place at interviews with your Government, His Eoyal Highness and the Governing Body of the Institute felt assured that it

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was only a question of time when the first instalment of a New Zealand contribution would be voted, in addition to the grants made by Canada and the Australias. Steps were at once taken for providing additional room in the Imperial Institute, in preparation for the sample collections of products and industries which all the Colonies of Australasia had agreed to send to the Institute; and, in August, 1889, Sir Frederick Abel, the Organizing Secretary of the Institute, addressed His Excellency the Governor, asking to be informed what arrangement was desired by the colony for the nomination of the New Zealand members of Council on the permanent Governing Body. In February of this year Sir Frederick Abel addressed a letter to yourself, expressing, by command of the Prince of Wales, the gratification with which His Eoyal Highness had learnt the cordial reception which your Government had given to the proposals submitted by Sir Somers Vine. Sir Frederick Abel explained that the Institute buildings were expected to be completed early next year (1891), and that the formal opening would probably take place about the anniversary of the Queen's accession to the Throne, when it was hoped that the first instalment of the collection of New Zealand products might be available for exhibition at the opening in an effective manner. His Eoyal Highness also directed Sir Frederick Abel to ask for an early confirmation of the aid that has been promised through Sir Somers Vine, and for a notification of the extent to which your Government would be able to meet the suggestions laid before you. I take the opportunity of sending you the reports sent in by Sir Somers Vine after his visit to all the colonies. The Institute buildings have taken a longer time than was then anticipated, and, as there is no prospect of their being completed early enough next year to allow the opening to take place then, it has been decided that the Institute shall not be opened till the spring of 1892. A proposal is now before the Governing Body to hold a special exhibition of mining and minerals at the opening; and a meeting is to take place next week between the High Commissioner for Canada, the AgentsGeneral for the Australasian Colonies and the Cape, and the Organising Secretary of the Institute, in order to consider whether such an exhibition is practicable, and whether the colonies are likely to take part in it. ' The Governing Body had hoped that, if not in 1889, then in the session held this year, the necessary vote would have been passed by the House of Eepresentatives to enable New Zealand to take her part in the work of the Institute, and to carry out the proposals that had been submitted to you; but this not having been done, the Prince of Wales now asks for the decision of Parliament to be given. I feel sure that the Government will recognise the necessity of giving an early answer to His Eoyal Highness, and I earnestly hope I may be informed by cable that your Government intend to bring down a vote for the Institute on the re-assembling of Parliament. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure in No. 7. His Eoyal Highness the Peince of Wales to the Agent-Geneeal. Marlborough House, Pall Mall, 22nd November, 1890. Deab Sic Fbancis Dillon Bell, — Having recently asked for information respecting the money contributions made by the colonies to the fund which has been raised for the establishment of the Imperial Institute, in addition to the receipt in 1887 from the Government of Canada of the sum of £20,000, I learned that the Premier of Victoria wrote in February, 1888, to Sir Graham Berry, to the effect that the Australian Colonies had arrived at an understanding to contribute together, in proportions which had been fixed upon, the sum of £20,000 towards that fund, exclusive of £2,000 which the Government of Western Australia had already paid. I am also informed that the Premier of Victoria at the same time forwarded the sum of £5,922, being the amount of the Victorian contribution to the above-named subscription ; that £2,029 was shortly afterwards received from the Government of Queensland as the proportion of the Australasian contribution due from that colony; and that the Government of Tasmania has since paid two instalments of its contribution ; but that nothing has, as yet, been received from the Governments of New Zealand, New South Wales, and South Australia. The despatch from the Premier of Victoria above referred to stated, I am told, that, although the Colony of New Zealand had been included in the original apportionment of the sum of £20,000, it was understood that the Government of the colony had since agreed to give £1,000 per annum for ten years. The record of the Queensland Parliamentary Debates on the estimates for 1887-88 shows that the Colonial Treasurer quoted telegrams received from the Premier of Victoria, dated July, 1887, and November, 1887, to the effect that the Government of New Zealand had promised and agreed to give £1,000 per annum for ten years. A letter addressed to me in May, 1887, by Sir William Drummond Jervois, late Governor of New Zealand, informed me that the Governor of the colony proposed to submit to Parliament that an annual grant to the Institute of £1,000 for ten years should be voted. The main building of the Institute is now approaching completion, and the necessary measures have to be taken without loss of time for equipping the building, and for providing the necessary additional accommodation for the exhibition of the sample collections to be received from the several colonies ; the contributions made and promised from different sources are consequently now required to cover the necessary expenditure.

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Under these circumstances, I trust that you will be able to move the Premier of New Zealand to take steps for securing the early addition to the Imperial Institute funds of some instalment of the contribution which the Governing Body of the Institute were led, in 1887, to hope they would receive from New Zealand. I am, &c, Albeet Edwaed, P. Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., Agent-General for New Zealand.

No. 8. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 1840.) Westminister Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sic,— 12th December, 1890. Continuing my letter of 29th November, No. 1758, I have to state that the meeting to which I then referred was held at the Canada Office en the 2nd instant, when Sir Frederick Abel, the Organizing Secretary of the Imperial Institute, explained the proposal that had been under consideration by the Governing Body of the Institute for holding a special Mining and Metallurgical Exhibition at the opening of the Institute in May, 1892. The colonial representatives felt that more detailed information was required before going any further, especially on the question of the space that would be available within the Institute buildings and galleries, and what further space could be obtained for additional temporary buildings; also, what would be the probable cost of putting up such temporary additions, and what other calls might be made upon the colonies in the way of expenditure. It was, therefore, agreed to have a meeting with the Organizing Committee of the Institute, in order to discuss these points and ascertain more clearly the nature and extent of the scheme. A conference accordingly took place on the 9th instant between Lord Herschell, Sir Lyon Playfair, and Sir Frederick Abel on behalf of the Institute, and the High Commissioner for Canada and Agents-General for Australasia and the Cape ; when Sir Frederick Abel read a memorandum containing most of the particulars we had asked for at the Canada Office meeting. After a long discussion, it was agreed that this memorandum should be put into type at once, so that the earliest information on the matter might be sent out to the various Governments; and I have just received the print from Sir F. Abel, with a letter, of which copy is enclosed, calling attention to its strictly confidential character. After describing the nature and scope of the scheme for the Exhibition, Sir Frederick Abel mentions the resources that can be provided by the Institute for carrying it out. You will observe that the organization and general superintendence of the Exhibition would be undertaken by the Institute, but no funds could be granted for it. There will be about 44,000 square feet of floorspace, and 38,000 square feet of wall-space available, besides about 92,000 square feet more on which temporary buildings could be erected. Further, the Institute will most likely be able to occupy for the Exhibition a large piece of ground in immediate proximity to the Institute buildings, containing about 152,000 square feet. The scheme indicates approximately the probable division of the space between Canada, Australasia, the Cape, and the Crown colonies. With regard to the expenditure which any colonies taking part in the Exhibition would be called upon to incur, it is calculated that three galleries might be put up within the quadrangle of the Institute for a little over £3,000. Other financial considerations of a general kind are explained in the memorandum, together with suggestions for the guidance of such colonies as may be disposed to take part in the Exhibition. I have, &c, The Hon the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure in No. 8. Sir F. A. Abel to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. .) Imperial Institute, 1, Adam Street, Adelphi, Deab Sic Feancis Dillon Bell, — 12th December, 1890. With reference to the conference recently held concerning the proposal to hold a special exhibition in connection with the Imperial Institute in the spring of 1892, I beg to send you herewith copies of the confidential memorandum which I submitted at the conference held here on Tuesday last, which I have amended and have caused to be printed. I send the copies of the memorandum, hoping that they will reach you in time to enable you to transmit them to your Government by to-day's mail, and I have to request that you will be so good as to direct attention to the circumstance that, being purely preliminary, it is of a strictly confidential character. I have, &c, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., F. A. Abel. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 9. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 755.) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 11th May, 1891. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth March, informing me that it was not the intention of the Government to propose a vote in aid of the funds of the Imperial Institute.

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I now beg to enclose copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Institute, transmitting the constitution of the Institute as approved by the Queen, and asking to be informed before the 31st instant of the names of the two Governors to represent New Zealand on the Governing Body; also, referring to the approximate apportionment of space allotted to the colony for the installation of collections of its natural products. In reply, I have informed Sir Frederick Abel that I now presume it is not your intention to nominate any Governors on the Governing Body, or to take advantage of the space intended to be allotted to the colony. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 1 in No. 9. Sir F. A. Abel to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Imperial Institute, London, S.W., 7th May, 1891. I have the honour, by direction of his Eoyal Highness the President and the Organizing Committee of the Imperial Institute, to enclose herewith, for your information, a copy of the constitution of the Institute, as approved by Her Majesty the Queen under Eoyal warrant, dated the 21st April last; and lam to express the hope that your Government will communicate to H.E.H. the President, on or before the 31st instant, the names of the gentlemen appointed by it to represent the Colony of New Zealand. I shall have the pleasure, in the course of a few days, to transmit to you the preliminary approximate apportionment of space allotted to your colony for the installation of its permanent collections of natural products. I have, &c, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., F. A. Abel, Secretary. Agent-General for New Zealand, 13, Victoria Street, S.W.

Sub-enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 9. Whitehall, 23ed Apbil, 1891. The Queen has been pleased to issue a Warrant under Her Majesty's Eoyal Sign Manual, approving a Form of Constitution for " The Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India, and the Isles of the British Seas," to the following effect: — Vict obi a, E. Victoeia, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, to all to whom these presents shall come ; Greeting: Whebeas the Governing Body of the Corporation of " The Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the Isles of the British Seas," established by Our Charter, bearing date the twelfth day of May, in the fifty-first year of Our Eeign, have, in pursuance of the provisions of the said Charter, applied to Us for Our approval of a Form of Constitution for the said Institute which has been prepared by the Organizing Committee of the said Corporation : Now know Ye that We, having taken the same into Our consideration, are graciously pleased to comply with their application, and, by these presents, to approve of the Form of Constitution for " The Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the Isles of the British Seas," as set forth in the document under Our Eoyal Sign Manual hereunto annexed. Given at Our Court at Saint James's the twenty-first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one, in the fifty-fourth year of Our Eeign. By Her Majesty's Command, Heney Matthews. Victoeia, E. Wheeeas by Eoyal Charter, dated the 12th May, 1888, an Association was incorporated by the name of the Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the Isles of the British Seas, hereinafter referred to as the " Institute." And whereas a President was appointed of the said Association, and His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales was named as the first President: And whereas the Government of the said Institute was provisionally vested in a Committee called the Organizing Committee, consisting of the several persons therein named, and of such other persons as should be appointed in pursuance of the said Charter. And whereas it was provided by the said Charter that before the expiration of three years from the date of the said Gharter, the Organizing Committee should prepare a Form of Constitution for the Institute, providing among other things for such a Governing Body, as, in the opinion of the Organizing Committee, would best represent the subjects of Her Majesty in the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the commercial and industrial interests of the Empire : And it was further provided that the said Constitution should contain such other provisions as might be deemed expedient in relation to the government of the Institute, its property and affairs, and in respect to the Members thereof, and generally to the regulation of all matters whatever, which the said Organizing Committee might deem it expedient to provide for in such Constitution: And it was by the said Charter declared that such Constitution should be subject to approval by Eoyal Warrant, and when so approved should be of the same validity and effect as if the provisions thereof had been contained in the said Charter, and no question should thereafter be raised as to its validity : And it was further provided in the said Charter that the said Constitution when approved should be published in the London Gazette, and from and after the date of such publication should come into force : 2—H. 25.

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And it was further provided that the said Organizing Committee should continue in their offices until the day appointed for the first meeting of the Governing Body under the new Constitution, and on and after that day should cease to hold their offices: And whereas with a view to carrying into effect the said Charter, the provisions hereinafter contained have been framed by the Organizing Committee as the Constitution of the said Institute :— Now it is hereby declared as follows : — Govebning Body. 1. The Governing Body of the Institute shall consist of the President and Governors. The Governors, other than the President, shall be classified as follows :— (a.) Nominated Governors. (b.) Ex-officio Governors. (c.) Appointed Governors. (d.) Elected Governors. («.) Eepresentatives for the time being of Associations. Nominated Governors. 2. The Nominated Governors shall be eighteen in number, of whom twelve shall from time to time be nominated by the Sovereign in writing under Sign Manual, and the remaining six shall be nominated by the President. 3. Nominated Governors shall hold their office for five years. At the expiration of each period of five years the vacancies shall be filled up, as to the Governors nominated by the Sovereign, by the Sovereign; and, as to the Governors nominated by the President, by the President. Ex-officio Governors. 4. The ex-officio Governors shall be the persons who respectively for the time being hold the offices of—' The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. The Lord High Chancellor of England. The Speaker of the House of Commons. The Chairman of the London County Council. The Lord Mayor of London. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The Lord Mayor of Dublin. The Governor of the Bank of England. 5. The ex-officio Governors shall continue to be Governors so long as they hold the offices in respect of which they are Governors. Appointed Governors. 6. The Dominion of Canada and the constituent Provinces thereof shall be represented on the Governing Body by eleven Governors, that is to say : — The Dominion of Canada by one Governor. The Province of Ontario by two Governors. The Province of Quebec by two Governors. The Province of Nova Scotia by one Governor. The Province of New Brunswick by one Governor. The Province of Prince Edward Island by one Governor. The Province of Manitoba by one Governor. The North-West Territories of the Dominion by one Governor. The Province of British Columbia by one Governor. 7. The Governor representing the Dominion of Canada shall be appointed by the GovernorGeneral in Council; the Governors representing the constituent Provinces and Territories shall be appointed by the Lieutenant-Governors in Council in each case. 8. The Australian Colonies shall be represented on the Governing Body by nine Governors, that is to say : — The Colony of New South Wales by two Governors. The Colony of Victoria by two Governors. The Colony of Queensland by two Governors. The Colony of South Australia by two Governors. The Colony of Western Australia by one Governor. The nine Governors mentioned in this section shall be appointed by the Governor in Council in each case. 9. The Colony of Tasmania shall be represented on the Governing Body by one Governor, who shall be appointed by the Governor in Council. 10. The Colony of New Zealand shall be represented on the Governing Body by two Governors, who shall be appointed by the Governor in Council. 11. The Cape Colony shall be represented on the Governing Body by two Governors, who shall be appointed by the Governor in Council. 12. The Colony of Newfoundland shall be represented on the Governing Body by one Governor, who shall be appointed by the Governor in Council. 13. The Colonies and possessions, with their respective dependencies, hereinafter mentioned, shall be represented on the Governing Body as follows, that is to say :— British Guiana, Trinidad, and Tobago by one Governor. Ceylon by one Governor.

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Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus, Bermuda, Fiji, and the Falkland Islands, by one Governor. Hongkong by one Governor. Jamaica, British Honduras, and the Bahamas, by one Governor. The Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands and Barbados, by one Governor. Mauritius by one Governor. Natal by one Governor. The Straits Settlements by one Governor. The West African Colonies and St Helena by one Governor. The Governor representing each of the Colonies, or group of Colonies, in this section shall be appointed by one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State for the time being, after consultation with the Governor or Governors of the Colony or group of Colonies for which such Governor is appointed. 14. Governors representing any Colony, Province of a Colony, or group of Colonies, shall hold their office for five years. If no successor is appointed within three months from the date on which the term of office pf any such Governor expires, his seat may be filled up by the Executive Council hereinafter mentioned. 15. India shall be represented on the Governing Body by fifteen Governors, selected as follows :— Nine as representing the Government of India and the following Presidencies and Provinces, that is to say: Bombay, Madras, Bengal, the North-West Provinces, the Punjaub, Assam, the Central Provinces, and Burmah. Four as representing the Chambers of Commerce. Two as representing Indian Institutions. The nine Governors mentioned in this section shall be nominated by the Governor-General in Council. The four Governors mentioned in this section shall be selected by such Chambers of Commerce in India as the Governor-General in Council shall direct. The remaining two Governors shall be selected by any such institutions or groups of institutions in India as the Governor-General in Council may determine, with this restriction, that an institution shall not be qualified to choose or assist in the choice of a Governor, unless the majority of its members are natives of India, and unless it is an institution which, in the opinion of the GovernorGeneral, is so constituted as to be conducive to and interested in the objects for which the Institute is founded. Each of the fifteen Governors mentioned in this section shall hold his office for one year only. If no successor is appointed within three months from the date on which the term of office of any such Governor expires, his seat may be filled up by the Executive Council. 16. Subject as aforesaid, the Governors representing India shall be chosen in such manner, and subject to such regulations, as the Governor-General in Council may direct. Elected Governors. 17. The commerce and industries of England and Wales shall be represented on the Governing Body by fourteen Governors, elected as follows, that is to say : — Of the South-Eastern District of England by two Governors, who shall be elected by the Chairmen of the County Councils of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, the Isle of Ely, Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Kent, Norfolk, Middlesex, the East and West Divisions of Suffolk, Surrey, and the East and West Divisions of Sussex. Of the South-Western District of England by two Governors, who shall be elected by the Mayor of Bristol and the Chairmen of the County Councils of Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Somerset, and Wiltshire. Of the Midland District of England by two Governors, who shall be elected by the Mayors of Birmingham, Leicester, and Nottingham, and the Chairmen of the County Councils of Derbyshire, Herefordshire; the Holland, Kesteven, and Lindsey Divisions of Lincolnshire ; Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, the Soke of Peterborough, Eutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Of Cheshire and Lancashire by two Governors, who shall be elected by the . Mayors of Blackburn, Bolton, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, and Salford, and the Chairmen of the County Councils of Cheshire and Lancashire. Of Yorkshire by two Governors, who shall be elected by the Lord Mayor of York, and the Mayors of Bradford, Kingston-upon-Hull, Leeds, and Sheffield, and the Chairmen of the County Councils of the West Biding, the East Biding, and the North Eiding of Yorkshire. Of the Northern District of England by two Governors, who shall be elected by the Mayors of Gateshead, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Sunderland, and South Shields, and the Chairmen of the County Councils of Cumberland, Durham, Northumberland, and Westmoreland. Of North Wales by one Governor, who shall be elected by the Chairmen of the County Councils of the Isle of Anglesey, Carnarvonshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merionethshire, and Montgomeryshire. Of South Wales by one Governor, who shall be elected by the Mayors of Cardiff and Swansea, and the Chairmen of the County Councils of Brecknockshire, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire, Glamorganshire, Pembrokeshire, Eadnorshire, and Monmouthshire. 18. The commerce and industries of Scotland shall be represented on the Governing Body by three Governors, elected as follows, that is to say:— Of the South-Eastern District of Scotland by one Governor, to be elected by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Provost of Leith, and the Chairmen of the County Councils

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of Berwickshire, Clackmannanshire, Edinburgh (Midlothian), Fifeshire, Haddington, Kinross-shire, Linlithgow, Peeblesshire, Boxburghshire, and Selkirkshire. Of the.South-Western District of Scotland by one Governor, to be elected by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, the Provosts of Greenock and Paisley, and the Chairmen of the County Councils of Ayrshire, Buteshire, Dumbartonshire, Dumfriesshire, Kircudbrightshire, Lanarkshire, Eenfrewshire, Stirlingshire, and Wigtownshire. Of the Northern District of Scotland by one Governor, to be elected by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen and the Provost of Dundee, and the Chairmen of the County Councils of Aberdeenshire, Argyllshire, Banffshire, Caithness, Elginshire, Forfarshire, Invernessshire, Kincardineshire, Nairnshire, Orkney and Shetland, Perthshire, Eoss-shire, Cromarty, and Sutherland. 19. The commerce and industries of Ireland shall, for the time being, be represented on the Governing Body by four Governors, of whom two shall be elected by the Lord Mayor of Dublin in conjunction with the Mayors of the cities of Belfast, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Londonderry, and Waterford, the Mayor of the Borough of Sligo, and the Chairmen of the Town Commissioners of Galway and Newry; and two shall be elected by the Chairmen of the Chambers of Commerce of Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Londonderry, and Waterford. It shall be lawful for the Sovereign, in the event of a system of County Government analogous to that of County Councils in England being established in Ireland, by Warrant under Sign Manual, to repeal any provisions of this Constitution relating to Ireland, and to substitute therefor other provisions with a view to assimilate the representation of the commerce and industries of Ireland in the Institute more nearly to the mode of the representation provided for the commerce and industries of England, Wales, and Scotland, so that the number of the representatives of the commerce and industries of Ireland be not increased. 20. The commerce and industries of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and the other Isles of the British seas, shall be represented on the Governing Body by one Governor, who shall from time to time be nominated by the President. 21. The' Governors representing the commerce and industries of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isles of the British Seas, shall hold their offices for a term of five years. If no successor is elected within three months of the date on which the term of office of any such Governor expires, his seat may be filled up by the Executive Council. Representatives for the time being of Associations. 22. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom. The Chairman of the Council of the London Chamber of Commerce. The Chairman of the Council of the Eoyal Agricultural Society of England. The Chairman of the Council of the Central Chamber of Agriculture. The Chairman of the Council of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. The President of the Eoyal Society. The President of the Eoyal Society of Edinburgh. The President of the Eoyal Irish Academy. The Chairman of the Council of the Eoyal Dublin Society. The Chairman of the Council of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce. The President of the Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers. The President of the Council of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The President of the Council of the Iron and Steel Institute. The President of the Council of the Chemical Society of London. The President of the Council of the Society of Chemical Industry. The President of the Council of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. The President of the Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute for the advancement of Technical Education. The President of the Council of the Eoyal United Service Institution. The President of the Eoyal Academy of Arts. The President of the Eoyal Geographical Society. The President of the Eoyal Statistical Society. The President of the Eoyal Institute of British Architects. The President of the Mining Association of Great Britain. The Chairman of the Council of the Trades Union Congress of Great Britain. The Chairman of the Council of the National Miners' Union of Great Britain. Any Association, by this section entitled to be represented on the Governing Body, may, instead of the person by this section appointed to represent the Association, appoint another person, being a member of the Governing Body of such Association ; but any person so substituted shall remain in office so long only as the person in whose place he is substituted would have remained in office had no such substitution taken place. 23. The Governing Body may, on the recommendation of the Executive Council, and with the sanction of the President, increase the number of Associations entitled to be represented on the Governing Body, or they may, in the event of any represented Association ceasing to exist, or declining to be represented, remove the name of such Association from the list of Associations entitled to be represented: Provided that the number of representatives of Associations shall in no case exceed forty. Regulations as to Governors. 24. A Governor shall vacate his office if he becomes bankrupt or insolvent, or, in the opinion of the Executive Council, testified by special resolution, acts in such a manner as to render it detrimental to the interests of the Institute that he should continue a Governor.

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A special resolution for the purposes of this section means a resolution passed by a majority of three-fourths of the Executive Council present and voting at any meeting of which special notice has been given, and confirmed by a resolution passed by a majority of the members present and voting at a further special meeting summoned within one month after the date of the foregoing meeting. 25. The Governor shall not, by reason of his having served on the Governing Body, be disqualified from being nominated, appointed, elected, or from otherwise serving, either immediately or otherwise, for a further term or terms. First Meeting of the Governing Body. 26. The names of the Governors appointed to represent any Colony, Province of a Colony, or Group of Colonies, on the first Governing Body under this Constitution shall be notified to the Organizing Committee by the authorities appointing the same on or before the The names of the Governors appointed to represent India on the first Governing Body under this Constitution shall be notified to the Organizing Committee by the Governor-General of India on or before the Should the name of any such Governor not be notified to the Executive Council on or before the said date, the Executive Council may fill up the vacancy in question. 27. For the purpose of electing the Governors to represent the commerce and industries of England and Wales, and of Scotland and Ireland, on the first Governing Body under this Constitution, the following proceedings shall be taken : — The President of the Organizing Committee shall, at a reasonable time before the , cause a summons to be issued in such form and authenticated in such manner as he may think fit, requesting the persons constituted the electors in each case to meet together at such time and place, or at such times and places, as he may appoint, for the purpose of electing the representative or representatives. The electors in each case, on meeting together, shall choose a Chairman ; and all proceedings relating to the elections shall be conducted in such manner as the Chairman may direct. Any elector who is unable to attend may, by writing under his hand, and in such form as may be directed by the President of the Organizing Committee, appoint a person, not being one of the electors, to act as proxy ; and any person, so appointed proxy, may do any act or thing in respect to the election which the person who appointed him proxy might have done. If, within half an hour after the time appointed for any election, all the electors are not present in person or by proxy, the electors present in person or by proxy may proceed to the election, so that they be not fewer than three in number. If, after the lapse of three hours after the time appointed for any election, three electors are not present in person or by proxy, the right of election shall be deemed, to have lapsed. The seat or seats, the right of election to which has so lapsed, may be filled up by the Executive Council. If in any case, at an election, the votes are equal, the Chairman may give a second or casting vote. 28. The names of the Eepresentatives of Associations to serve on the first Governing Body under this Constitution shall be notified to the Organizing Committee on or before the , in such manner as the Organizing Committee may determine. If, at the meeting of the first Governing Body under this Constitution, there is no Bepresentative of an Association which is by this Constitution entitled to be represented on the Governing Body, such Association shall cease to have any right to be represented on the Governing Body, unless it proves to the satisfaction of the Executive Council that such failure in the representation was excusable. 29. The first meeting of the Governing Body shall be held at such time in the month of 1891, and at such place within the County of London, and shall be summoned in such manner, as the President may direct, and shall be deemed the first meeting of the Governing Body under the new Constitution. On the meeting assembling, the President shall, if present, take the chair ; but if he is not present, the Chairman of the late Organizing Committee or, in his absence, the ViceChairman of the late Organizing Committee, shall take the chair. If none of these persons be present, the meeting shall elect a Chairman. A report shall be made to the Governing Body by the late Organizing Committee, in such form and in such manner as they may think expedient, of the proceedings which have taken place in relation to the establishment of the Institute, and the condition and prospects thereof. After hearing the report, the Governing Body shall proceed to the election of a person, to be called the Chairman of the Governing Body, and to the election of such Members of the Executive Council as they are by this Constitution authorised to elect, and also to the election of Members of the Finance Committee and Committee of Selection, hereinafter mentioned, and to such other business (if any) as with the sanction of the President may be brought before the meeting. 30. The office of any Governor nominated, appointed, or elected to serve on the first Governing Body shall be deemed to commence on the day of the first meeting of such Governing Body, whether his nomination, appointment, or election be before or after such meeting. The Chairman of the Governing Body. 31. In the absence of the President, the Chairman of the Governing Body shall preside at all meetings of the Institute, of the Governing Body, of the Executive Council, and of all Committees and Sub-Committees at which he may present. 32. The Chairman of the Governing Body shall be ex-officio a member of the Executive Council and of all Standing Committees, Special Committees, and Sub-Committees, and shall in the case of the Executive Council, of the Finance Committee, and of the Committee of Selection, be in addition to the number of members hereinafter mentioned. 33. The Chairman of the Governing Body shall be elected annually at the annual general meeting of the Governing Body. The retiring Chairman shall be eligible for re-election.

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Executive Council and Committees. 34. The Governing Body may exercise its powers through the medium of the Executive Council and the Committees established in pursuance of this Constitution, and the Executive Council or any Committee so established shall be deemed, for the purposes of its action in relation to the matters within its jurisdiction, to have all the powers of the Governing Body delegated to it. But the Governing Body may, at any annual or extraordinary general meeting, alter the Constitution of the Executive Council or any Committee, or the mode of delegation of any of the. powers of the Governing Body. The Governing Body shall be divided into (1) Executive Council, (2) Standing Committees, (3) Special Committees. The Executive Council shall consist of the Chairman of the Governing Body and thirty other members, of whom six shall be appointed by the President from among the Governors. The remaining twenty-four shall be elected by the Governing Body from among their number. The Standing Committees shall be as follows : — (1.) The Finance Committee. (2.) The Committee of Selection. (3.) The Committee of Commerce and Industries. (4.) The Committee for the Colonies. (5.) The Committee for India. (6.) The Committee of Colonisation and Emigration. (7.) The Committee of Publications and Library. The Finance Committee shall consist of the Chairman of the Governing Body and ten other members, to be elected by the Governing Body from among their number. The Committee of Selection shall consist of the Chairman of the Governing Body and fifteen other members, to be elected by the Governing Body from among their number. 35. The election, at the first meeting of the first Governing Body under this Constitution, of the Chairman of the Governing Body, and of members of the Executive Council, the Finance Committee, and the Committee of Selection, shall be conducted in such manner as the Chairman of the meeting may direct, provided that the election shall, in case of difference, be decided by a majority of the Governors present and voting at the meeting, each Governor having one vote, and, in case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. 36. A Governor may serve on more than one Committee. 37. The Executive Council shall have the general administration of the affairs of the Institute, but shall not incur any expense exceeding £100 for any one purpose without the assent of the Finance Committee. 38. The Finance Committee shall have the control over the funds of the Institute, with the exception of the Endowment Fund, and the control over the investments of such funds. The Finance Committee shall, from time to time, at such time and in such form as the Executive Council may by rule appoint, report their proceedings to the Executive Council. 39. The Committee of Selection shall select the other Standing Committees, and may, after consultation with the Executive Council, determine the number of members in each case, and assign them their duties. 40. The Members of the Executive Council and of the Standing Committees shall continue in office from the date of their appointment until the next annual general meeting of the Governing Body. The retiring members shall be eligible for re-election. 41. The Committee of Selection may, at the request of the Executive Council, form a standing committee or standing committees in addition to those named in this Constitution. 42. Special Committees may be appointed by the Committee of Selection for the consideration of special industries, special matters of trade, matters relating to particular colonies or India, or otherwise in relation to any matters which the Executive Council may consider to require investigation by a Special Committee. Eegard being had to the wishes of Governors desiring to serve on such Committees, and to the employment, so far as is practicable, of all Governors on some business relating to the objects of the Institute, Special Committees shall consist of such number and such members, and shall continue for such period, and shall perform such duties as the Committee of Selection may from time to time determine. The Committee of Selection may add to any Special Committee any person whose services they think it desirable to secure, although such person be neither a Governor nor a member of the Institute. 43. The Committee of Selection,'at the request of the Executive Council, may delegate to any Standing or Special Committee the power of appointing Sub-Committees with such powers and qualifications, if any, as the Committee of Selection may think fit to impose. Such Sub-Com-mittees may or may not consist, either wholly or in part, of persons not being members of the Institute. 44. The Committee of Selection may at the request of the Executive Council, appoint Local Committees for the purpose of superintending or managing or otherwise conducting any matters within the jurisdiction of the Institute, and may assign to such Committees such duties as the Committee of Selection may think fit. The Committee of Selection may also determine the tenure of office, the mode of proceeding, and the constitution of any such Committees, and such Committees may or may not consist, either wholly or in part, of persons not being members of the Institute. 45. The first meetings of the Executive Council, the Finance Committee, and the Committee of Selection shall be held at the buildings of the Institute on the Thursday immediately succeeding their appointment, or at such other time and place as the President may direct, and may be adjourned from time to time, and from place to place. 46. In the absence of the President and of the Chairman of the Governing Body, the Executive Council and each of the said Committees shall at its first meeting together, and at any subsequent

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meeting, until rules are made as hereinafter provided, elect a Chairman. The procedure at such meeting or meetings shall, until such rules are made, be of such a character as the Chairman for the time being may direct. 47. The quorum of the Executive Council shall be five members ; and of the Finance Committee, and of the Committee of Selection, three members. The quorum of all other Committees and Sub-Committees shall be determined by the authority appointing the same. 48. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to any rules that may be framed by the Executive Council, every Standing or Special Committee or Sub-Committee may conduct its business in such manner as may to it seem best. Meetings of the Institute. 49. The First Annual General Meeting of the Institute shall be held at such time in the year 1892 as the Executive Council may determine. A Eeport shall be presented at the First Annual General Meeting, containing an account of the progress of the Institute from the date of its establishment. 50. Subsequent General Meetings of the Institute shall be held once in every year, with an interval of not more than fourteen months between any two such meetings. At every subsequent General Meeting a Eeport shall be presented containing an account of the progress and proceedings of the Institute since the date of the last Eeport. Genebal. 51. The Executive Council, with the concurrence of the President, may affiliate to the Institute, or amalgamate with the Institute, or enter into any arrangements for wholly or partially working in conjunction with any body of persons, corporate or incorporate, formed for all or any of the purposes for which the Institute has been incorporated, or for any purposes analogous or corresponding thereto, and may for the purpose of carrying into effect this power, with the assent of the Finance Committee, contribute to or receive contributions from the funds of any such body of persons upon stich conditions as to the Executive Council may seem fit, or make such other financial arrangements from time to time with such other bodies as may be mutually agreed upon. The Executive Council may also, with the concurrence of the President, and the consent of the Governing Body, testified by resolution at a General Meeting, give any such body of persons affiliated or amalgamated as aforesaid, such representation on the Governing Body of the Institute as the Executive Council may think fit. 52. With the exception of the Endowment Fund, and subject to the trust thereof, the Finance Committee may invest the funds of the Institute in securities of such description as they may from time to time deem expedient; and the Executive Council may, with the assent of the Finance Committee, apply both the real and personal property of the Institute in such manner as they deem best adapted to promote the purposes thereof. 53. The Executive Council may at any time, and from time to time, with the concurrence of the President, apply for and accept a Supplemental Charter or an Act of Parliament, if it appears to them that such Supplemental Charter or Act of Parliament is required for carrying into effect any of the purposes or powers of the Institute. 54. An act or proceeding of the Governing Body, or of the Executive Council, or of any Committee or Sub-Committee, shall not be questioned on account of any vacancy or vacancies in such Governing Body, or Executive Council, Committee, or Sub-Committee. 55. A defect in the qualification or election of any person or persons acting as Governor or Governors, or as a member or members of the Executive Council, or of any Committee or Sub-Com-mittee, shall not be deemed to vitiate any proceedings of such Governing Body, Executive Council, Committee, or Sub-Committee, in which he or they has or have taken part. 56. Contracts on behalf of the Institute may be made in the manner provided by section 37 of " The Companies Act, 1867," and, if so made, shall be effectual in law and binding on the Institute. Any notice issued by or on behalf of the Institute, and any appointment made by the Institute, shall be deemed to be duly issued or made if signed by the proper officer. Any document not otherwise provided for in this section, shall be deemed to be duly executed, either if sealed with the seal of the Institute and signed by the proper officer, or if signed by two or more members of the Executive Council authorised by a resolution of that body to sign it, and countersigned by the proper officer. 57. The proper officer of the Institute shall be the Secretary, or any officer authorised by the Executive Council to sign such notices and documents as he is required to sign as aforesaid; and the Executive Council may appoint more than one person to execute the duties of the proper officer. 58. In every year succeeding the year 1891, a General Meeting of the Governing Body shall be held, at such time and place as the Executive Council may direct, for the transaction of necessary business. 59. The quorum of a meeting of the Governing Body shall be twenty members. If at a General Meeting of the Governing Body a quorum is not present, the Chairman may, in his discretion, adjourn the meeting to some other day, not less than a fortnight from the date of the meeting, or at once adjourn the meeting sine die. If at any adjourned meeting of a General Meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned sine die. When any General Meeting is adjourned sine die, any person whose term of office would have expired shall be deemed to be continued in such office until the next General Meeting at which a quorum is present. 60. An extraordinary meeting of the Governing Body may be at any time summoned by the Executive Council. 61. In case of any doubt arising with regard to the powers of any Standing or Special Committee or Sub-Committee, the same may be decided by the Executive Council. 62. Sir F. A. Abel, X.C.8., F.E.S., shall be the first Secretary of the Institute. Subject to this provision, the Executive Council may, with the approval of the President, appoint and from time to

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time remove such officers and servants as the Executive Council may deem expedient, and assign them such duties, and, with the assent of the Finance Committee, such salaries, gratuities, or pensions as they may deem expedient. 63. Any Governor, Member of the Executive Council, or member of any Committee or SubCommittee of the Governing Body, may resign his office by giving notice in writing to the Secretary of his intention to do so. 64. A casual vacancy in the number of nominated members may be filled up by the authority which nominated the vacating member. A casual vacancy in the number of appointed members may be filled up by the authority which appointed the vacating member. A casual vacancy in the number of elected members may be filled up by the body which elected the vacating member. A casual vacancy in the number of the representatives of Associations may be filled up by the Association represented by the vacating member. A casual vacancy in the office of Chairman of the Governing Body may be filled up by the President. Casual vacancies on the Executive Council, the Finance Committee, or the Committee of Selection may be filled up by the Executive Council, the Finance Committee, or the Committee of Selection, as the case may be. Casual vacancies on any other Committee or Sub-Committee may be filled up by the Committee appointing such Committees or Sub-Committees. Any person, appointed to fill a casual vacancy, shall hold his office for such time only as the person for whom he is substituted would have held it, if no such vacancy had taken place. 65. Any provision of this Constitution may be altered or repealed, or any addition may be made thereto by Eoyal Warrant, on application made to the Sovereign by the Executive Council with the sanction of the President. 66. Women shall be entitled to become members of the Institute. 67. The Executive Council may, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, from time to time make, and, when made, repeal, alter, or add to rules in respect to the following matters:—■ (a.) The mode of summoning meetings of the Institute, and the time and place of the meetings, and the procedure thereat. (6.) The mode of summoning meetings of the Governing Body, and the time and place of the meetings, and the procedure thereat, (c.) The mode of summoning meetings of the Executive Council, Standing and Special Committees, and Sub-Committees, and the time and place of the meetings and the procedure thereat. (d.) The conduct of election of Governors, the time and place of meeting of the electors and all matters incidental thereto. (c.) Any other matter or thing in the opinion of the Executive Council conducive to or required for the carrying into effect the Charter and this Constitution. 68. The Institute, the Governing Body, the Executive Council, or any Committee or SubCommittee, may adjourn from time to time and from place to place as may be required. 69. The Executive Council may, if it deem it expedient, delegate to any Standing or Special Committee power to make rules as to the procedure of such Standing or Special Committee. 70. The Executive Council may, by order, supply any omission which it may be necessary to supply, or correct any error which it may be necessary to correct in this Constitution for the purpose of carrying into effect the purposes of the Charter of Incorporation or of this Constitution. Such order shall remain in force only until the next meeting of the Governing Body unless it be confirmed by such meeting, in which case it shall be of the same validity as if it were contained in this Constitution. 71 This Constitution shall, so far as is consistent with the tenor thereof, be construed as one with the Charter of Incorporation of the Institute.

Enclosure 2 in No. 9. The Agent-Geneeal to Sir F. A. Abel. Sic,— 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 11th May, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, enclosing a cony of the Constitution of the Imperial Institute. It is with great regret that I am under the necessity of transmitting to you a copy of a despatch I received a few days ago from the New Zealand Government, informing me that as the Legislature of the colony had already refused to vote money in aid of the Institute, and as it was not the intention of the Government to propose a vote again, the colony would be unable to make any contribution in aid. I am, accordingly, at present under the impression that the New Zealand Government do not propose to nominate any one to represent the colony on the Governing Body, or to avail themselves of the apportionment of space to be allotted to the colony for the installation of collections of its natural products. I have, &c, Sir F. A. Abel, X.C.8., Imperial Institute. F. D. Bell.

No. 10. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 786.) Westminister Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sic,— 16th May, 1891. Since writing to you on the 11th instant, Sir Frederick Abel has been with me to express, on behalf of the Governing Body of the Imperial Institute, the hope that the Government will

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nominate members to serve on the Council of the Institute, notwithstanding their decision not to propose any vote in aid of the Institute funds, seeing that such a considerable amount of private subscriptions were contributed by New Zealand colonists. Sir Frederick Abel also stated that the Governing Body still propose to reserve space for any New Zealand collections that may be sent to the Institute. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 11. Memoeandum from the Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 9th December, 1891. (No. 1784.) Plans of Imperial Institute. In mail-box No. 23, going by the " Euapehu," I have enclosed two copies of the plan of the Imperial Institute, which have just been handed to me. Waltee Kbnnaway. One copy of plan handed to Sir W. Buller, 28th April, 1892 ; one copy with records.

No. 12. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No 484 ) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., SlE ,_ " 14th April, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram (copy herewith) instructing me to inform Sir F. Abel that the Government have appointed Sir Walter Buller and myself members to -represent New Zealand on the Governing Body of the Imperial Institute. I take the opportunity of informing you that, at the invitation of Sir F. Abel, I have recently been in communication with him on several points connected with the Imperial Institute, and that a letter has been drafted relating thereto which will go to you by next mail. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. B. Peeceval.

Enclosure in No. 12. (Telegram.) Agent-General, London. Eeceived 14th April, 1891. Infoem Abel, Sir Walter Buller and yourself appointed Governors Imperial Institute. Wellington, dated 14th,

No. 13. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (No, 615.) 19th April, 1892. g IB Imperial Institute. I beg to inform you that having been invited by Sir Frederick Abel to attend on the 30th ultimo an informal meeting of the representatives of the Australian Colonies on the Governing Body of the Imperial Institute, held for the purpose of discussing some matters connected with the arrangements for representing the natural resources of the colonies, and for equipping the Australasian Conference-room, I deemed it desirable, notwithstanding that New Zealand was not then represented upon the Governing Body, and had made no official contribution to the funds of the Institute, to accept the invitation and to be present without taking part in the proceedings, in order that I might acquaint myself, so far as possible, with the proposed working of the Institute, and thus be able to report to you on the matter. . I enclose herewith a copy of the minutes of the proceedings at the meeting m question by which it will be seen that a provisional allotment of space has been made for the purpose of displaying the sample collections of produce, &c, that are expected to be exhibited on behalf of the various colonies. „ _ ~ .. ...,, , 0r .,. The space thus proposed to be allotted to New Zealand measures, I understand, 41ft. by 30ft., New South Wales and Victoria having 46ft. by 30ft. each. , The meeting also considered the question of furnishing and fitting the Australasian Oonferenceroom and it was estimated that £1,000 would be required for that purpose; and it was agreed that that amount be expended, subject to the approval of the Governments of the colonies concerned. It was also recommended that a principal curator, with sufficient staff, be appointed, whose duty would be to take charge of the whole of the Australasian Section. I have since received your cablegram informing me of Sir W. L. Buller and myself being appointed members of the Governing Body, and I assume, therefore, that your Government has determined to join with the other colonies in contributing towards the expenses incurred m establishing the Imperial Institute, and to accept the space allotted for the exhibition of the Colony s productions. I accordingly enclose for your information, in connection with this part of the subject, a statement showing the amounts of the official contributions and private donations made by the United Kingdom, India, and the Colonies. 3—H. 25.

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I may add that a number of the exhibits that were sent from the colony for the Colonial Exhibition of 1886 were, at the close of that exhibition, handed over to the Imperial Institute. But a considerable portion of these were taken back again and shipped through this office to the Melbourne Exhibition. Some of them were then sent back to Paris, in 1889, and there is in store here a number of specimens of timber which came over from Paris, and were retained, presumably, for exhibition at the Imperial Institute. In addition to these there are a number of geological exhibits and specimens of building-stone, coal, and timber, remaining in the possession of the Imperial Institute, out of those that came from the Colonial Exhibition. With regard to other exhibits, such as grain, wool, &c, I assume that special specimens will be from time to time supplied from the colony. With reference to the recommendation to appoint a general curator to take charge of the whole Australasian Section, I feel disposed not to altogether concur in such an arrangement, unless each colony has a special curator as well, which was not contemplated at the meeting. To give New Zealand the full advantage of its taking part in the Institute, it would, I believe, be expedient that the exhibits displayed in the space allotted should be under the control of some one acquainted with the colony, who would be present to give information to visitors as regards the resources of the colony and the advantages it holds out to suitable colonists. I will not here comment further on this aspect of the question, as now that Sir Walter Buller is to act with me in the representation of the colony on the Governing Body of the Institute, I prefer to confer with him on the whole matter. I may state, however, that should it be eventually decided to appoint a special curator for New Zealand —as I hope it may be —it seems to me that in the selection of the curator a man might be selected with some aptitude for conducting investigations regarding the industrial products of the colony. The Institute, containing exhibits and information from all parts of the world, would form a suitable place to collect and compile information regarding the industrial resources of the colony. It is of the greatest importance that the people of the colony should, through the Government, be kept advised of all matters appertaining to the various industrial products of New Zealand, the requirements of the market, the condition in which goods are landed here, the market prices of products, and kindred information; and, the space devoted to each colony being small, it is a question whether special prominence should not be given to the industrial products of the colony. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. B. Peeceval. P.S.—Since writing the above I have received a strictly confidential memorandum from Sir F. Abel, giving an outline of the arrangement of the collections, and I enclose two copies of it.

Enclosure 1 in No. 13. Meeting of a Special Conference held in the Council Chamber of the Imperial Institute on Wednesday, March 30th, 1892, at 3 p.m. Present, the following members of the Governing Body : Sir Edward Braddon, Agent-General for Tasmania; Sir John Bray, Agent-General for South Australia; Sir Daniel Cooper, representative for New South Wales; Sir James Garrick, Agent-General for Queensland; Mr. Paterson, representative for Victoria; Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales; Mr. Howard Spensley, representative for Victoria; Mr. Strangways, representative for South Australia. There were also present, by special invitation: Sir Andrew Clarke, Acting Agent-General for Victoria; Mr. Perceval, Agent-General for New Zealand. In attendance : Sir Frederick Abel, Secretary ; Sir Somers Vine, Assistant Secretary. Sir Frederick Abel made a general statement with respect to, — 1. The provisional allotment of space to the various Australian Colonies in the Intermediate Gallery, for the purpose of displaying the sample collections. 2. Suggested method of arrangement and custody of collections. 3. The fitting and furnishing of the Australasian Conference-room. The preliminary allotment of space was generally concurred in, subject to the explanations made in respect of the additional space which could be allotted upon the upper floor, and of the proposal to allot to the several groups of colonies space on the ground-floor of the main building for the classified storage of samples in bulk. The meeting then considered the question of furnishing and fitting the Australasian Conferenceroom. An estimate was submitted, showing that an expenditure in round figures of about £1,000 under this head would have to be incurred in decorating and adequately furnishing the room; and, after discussion, it was agreed, subject to ratification by the various Governments concerned, that an expenditure of the sum of £1,000 be incurred for decorating and furnishing the Conference-room, the cost to be divided between the several Australasian Colonies upon the basis of the population of each colony. It was further resolved : " That a request be made to the Governing Body of the Institute to Use, as far as practicable, Australasian woods in the fitting and furnishing of the room." It was further resolved: "That New Guinea be considered as attached to Queensland, and that the Queensland representatives should take charge of the space allotted to that dependency." It was further resolved : " That it be a recommendation to the Executive Council to add Sir John Bray to the special Committee for the colonial collections."

The subject of officials to take charge of the Australasian Section, and the various divisions thereof, was discussed at considerable length, and it was finally resolved: " That, subject to the ratification of the various Governments concerned, this meeting recommends the appointment of a principal curator, with the necessary clerical and labour staff, by the Australasian Colonies as a whole, with such further technical assistance as may hereafter be found necessary and agreed upon."

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It was further resolved: "That it is desirable the appointment to the office of principal curator be made by the Executive Council, on the nomination of the joint representatives of the various colonies contributing to the provision of his salary." The Conference then terminated, and an inspection of the Conference-room, and of the arrangements for the display of collections and storage of samples in bulk by the Indian Section, was subsequently made by the various representatives attending it.

Enclosure 2 in No. 13. Statement of the Amounts Contributed by the United Kingdom, the Indian Empire, and the Colonies.

No. 14. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) To Premier, Wellington. Eeceived 3rd May, 1892. Institute official opening early next year. Present space, 41 by 30; height, 19; basement space for bulky goods ; upper gallery reserved expansion colonial sections. (London, 2.)

No. 15. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., (No. 518.) 12th May, 1892. Sic, — Imperial Institute. I beg to transmit copy of your cablegram of the 28th ultimo, and a copy of my reply thereto of the 2nd instant. I also enclose copy of letters received from Sir F. Abel respecting the date of opening and the space allotted to New Zealand, together with the printed papers and plans indicating the nature of the building in which the allotment is situated. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. B. Peeceval.

.cia. 'onai ;ions. 'nva: 'onai ;ions. Jnited Kingdom "ndia Dominion of Canada Jolonies of — Victoria Straits Settlements New South Wales New Zealand South Australia Queensland ... Western Australia British Guiana Bermuda Jamaica Tasmania Trinidad British Honduras Ceylon Cape Colony ... Lagos Gibraltar Falkland Islands Bahamas Barbados Natal Gold Coast ... Cyprus Labuan Fiji Leeward Islands St. Lucia Ascension £ 20,000 £ 236,862 101,550 87 £ 236,862 101,550 20,087 5,922 5,000 5,915 5,397 3,581 11,319 8,581 5,915 2,853 2,213 2,097 2,000 1,204 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 746 648 535 500 300 255 220 137 112 108 100 75 46 33 22 £1 10s 1,845 2,029 2,000 1,000 500 1,000 1,000 1,000 746 2,853 368 68 204 500 648 535 500 200 100 255 70 137 112 108 100 75 46 33 22 £1 10s. 150

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Enclosures in No. 15. (Telegram.) To Agent-General, London. Eeceived 28th April, 1892. When does Imperial Institute open ? What space available for New Zealand ? Wellington, dated 28th.

(Telegram.) To Premier, Wellington. Despatched 2nd May, 1892. Institute official opening early next year. Present space, forty-one by thirty ; height, nineteen ; basement space for bulky goods; upper gallery reserved expansion colonial sections.

Sir F. A. Abel to the Agent-Geneeal. My Deae Me. Peeceval, — Imperial Institute, London, S.W., 29th April, 1892. The official opening ceremonial is postponed until early next year, but the Fellows' Section of the building will be opened to them in the middle of June, and the exhibition of Indian art metal-work will be on view during the summer and autumn. Ceylon and some others are going to begin arranging their collections next month, and, if the Australasian collections are to be in a fairly complete condition by the time the official opening takes place, there is very little time to lose. A reply to the letter from your Secretary, as to space, &c, shall be sent very shortly. Yours, &c, F. A. Abel.

Sir F. A. Abel to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Imperial Institute, London, S.W., 4th May, 1892. Beferring to your letters of the 26th ultimo and the 2nd instant, I have much pleasure in forwarding you herewith two more copies of the detailed information with regard to the space allotted to • New Zealand in the intermediate gallery; and, in reply to your inquiry as to what additional space there is available for that colony in the galleries and basement, I have to state that I shall be able to allot in the latter five hundred square feet of space to New Zealand, to be devoted to the storage of samples in bulk of natural products, and that, should the space on the ground-floor of the intermediate gallery (of which you have particulars) prove insufficient for the accommodation of the collections to be transmitted from New Zealand, some further allotment of space will be made in the gallery above, which has been reserved in part for the purpose of affording additional accommodation for colonies when required. It is not in my power to make a definite statement with regard to the amount of additional space which can be there allotted, but I have little doubt that I shall be able to make satisfactory arrangements to meet the requirements in this respect of New Zealand. You are doubtless aware that I have repeatedly pointed out to the authorities in the colonies that the comparatively limited nature of accommodation which the Institute affords, precludes the exhibition of specimens or trophies of any very great size, and that no useful purpose, so far as a thorough illustration of the resources of the colony is concerned, is served by the display of such exhibits, and I have no doubt that you agree with my views on this subject, and will be disposed to support the representations which I have made. Your inquiry as to the date of the opening of the Institute has already been replied to by me in a letter addressed personally to the Agent-General. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway, Esq., C.M.G., F. A. Abel, Secretary. Secretary, Agent-General's Department for New Zealand, 13, Victoria Street, S.W.

No. 16. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) To Premier, Wellington. Eeceived 15th November, 1892. Impebial Institute : What amount appropriation? (London, 14.)

No. 17. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 1637.) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sic,— 26th November, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge your cablegram of the 16th November in answer to mine of the 11th, informing me that there was no appropriation for the Imperial Institute. I was induced to send my telegram, as Sir Frederick Abel, the Secretary to the Institute, was anxious to know whether the colony had made or was making any preparations for furnishing the New Zealand Court, so that it might be ready for the opening in May next. The buildngs are now practically completed, and many of the courts are filled with exhibits, and a great effort is being made to have all the courts properly furnished with as little delay as possible. I had hoped that ere this Sir W. L. Buller would have arrived in London and been able to give me the mind and intentions of the Government regarding the Imperial Institute. I concluded that the Government, by appointing representatives on the Governing Body, had determined to avail themselves of the facilities offered by the Institution for providing a standing exhibition in London of the products of the colony. I have already expressed the opinion in a previous letter that now that all the other

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colonies have elected to take up and furnish the space allotted to them, the Colony of New Zealand can hardly afford to hold aloof. A great effort is being made to make the Institute a practical and useful institution, and I have no doubt but that eventually it will be a great success and a valuable public educator. It is understood that the Queen will open the Institute in person in May next, so that no time is to be lost if it is intended to have the New Zealand Court furnished by the opening date. The space in the court is so limited that specimen exhibits will be probably exhibited there, 'and the bulky exhibits in other parts of the building. Canada and the Cape are making a great effort to make their courts a great success, and the Tasmanian Court is well advanced; and I can only express the hope that I shall be placed in a position to do the same for New Zealand. The authorities of the Institute, as well as myself, have furnished you with full information regarding the objects and scope of the Institute, so that it is not necessary for me to enlarge upon them. In conclusion, I would state that the Government having appointed me in conjunction with Sir Walter Buller as the New Zealand representatives on the Governing Body, will place that gentleman and myself in a somewhat invidious position if we are not furnished with the necessary means to carry out our functions. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. B. Peeceval.

No. 18. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 1769.) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 22nd December, 1892. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram of the 6th instant, stating that it was desirable to keep open the space allocated to the colony at the Imperial Institute. lam accordingly taking part, so far as I possibly can, in the various matters which have to be dealt with in preparing for the opening of the Institute in May. I have sent to the Institute the specimens of timber which came from the Exhibition at Paris, and which I found stored in London awaiting instructions as to their disposal. These, with some other specimens of timber, coal, and building stones, which were already in the hands of the Institute authorities, and to which some exhibits of the produce of the colony could be added, will help at a small expense to make a fairly good show at the time of the opening in May next. At a meeting of the Australasian delegates it was decided that it was necessary to fit up and furnish the Australasian Conference-room at the Institute. The cost of doing this was estimated at £500, and I deemed it right to join with the other Agents-General in agreeing, on behalf of the colonies we represented, to share the expense to be thus incurred. This liability, as regards New Zealand, will not amount to more than £90. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. B. Peeceval. P.S. —Since writing the above I have received a copy of the minutes of the meeting to which I have referred, and which I herewith enclose.

Enclosure in No. 18. Impeeial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India. Minutes of a Meeting of Australasian Governors, Tuesday, 13th December, 1892. A meeting of Australasian Governors holden in the Australian Conference-room of the Imperial Institute, on Tuesday, 13th December, 1892. There were present: Sir Edward Braddon, AgentGeneral for Tasmania; Sir John Cox Bray, Agent-General for South Australia; Sir Andrew Clarke, Acting Agent-General for Victoria (representing that colony pro tern.) ; Sir James Garrick, AgentGeneral for Queensland; W. B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand; Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. In attendance: Sir Frederick Abel (Secretary); Sir Somers Vine (Assistant Secretary). Sir Saul Samuel was voted to the chair. The Governors present discussed the subject of the decoration and furnishing of the Conferenceroom, and, after full consideration, It was unanimously resolved, " That the Executive Council of the Colonial Institute be empowered to proceed at once with the furnishing of the room at a cost not exceeding £500, such sum to include the electric light fittings. The said sum of £500 to be approximately apportioned as follows: New South Wales, £100; Victoria, £100; New Zealand, £90; Queensland, £65; South Australia, £65 ; West Australia, £40; Tasmania, £40." It was further unanimously resolved, "That the question of the decoration of the upper panelling and ceiling be postponed, but that in the meantime the specimen decoration now on the upper part of the walls and ceilings be removed, and that the same be judiciously coloured in distemper." It was unanimously agreed that the Secretary should be at full liberty to obtain designs and prices for the furniture, the same to be submitted at a future meeting, and that the Eepresentative Governors present should inform their respective Governments of the charge to which they had committed them in respect of the furnishing of the room. The Conference then terminated, and an inspection was made of the galleries for the display of collections.

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No. 19. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) To Premier, Wellington, Eeceived 22nd February, 1893. Impeeial Institute : New Zealand only colony not preparing Court; 400 would enable me make creditable display. Instruct whether shall. (London, 21.)

No. 20. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) To the Premier, Wellington. Eeceived 23rd March, 1893. listitute : What exhibits have you shipped, when did you ship, when will Buller arrive ? (London, 22.)

LETTEES, ETC., TO THE AGENT-GENEEAL. No. 21. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) To the Agent-General, London. Despatched 7th August, 1888. Pbesent exhibits Institute.

• ■ • No. 22. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 106.) New 7 Zealand : Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Sib— 10th August, 1888. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 791, of the 25th May, 1888, asking for instructions as to whether the New Zealand exhibits formerly in the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, and now in the charge of the Imperial Institute, are to be handed over to the Institute as final gifts. In reply, I have to inform you that the Government have decided to present the remaining New Zealand exhibits to the Imperial Institute. Instructions to that effect were forwarded to you by telegraph as requested in your letter. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. F. W. Hislop.

No. 23. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — New Zealand : Premier's Office, Wellington, sth March, 1891. Eeferring to previous correspondence on the subject of the aid to be given by the colonies to the Imperial Institute, and especially to your letter, No. 1758, of the 29th November last, with its enclosure from His Boyal Highness the Prince of Wales, I have now the honour to inform you, and it is with much regret that I do so, that as Parliament has already refused to vote the money and as it is not the intention of the Government to propose the vote again, this colony will be unable to contribute anything in aid of the Institute. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., Agent-General. J. Ballance.

No. 24. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib, — New Zealand : Premier's Office, Wellington, 20th April, 1892. On the 14th instant I wired that Sir Walter Buller and yourself had been appointed Governors of the Imperial Institute, and I now have the honour to enclose the warrant of appointment signed by the Administrator of the Government in Council. I presume you have acquainted Sir Frederick Abel. Sir Walter Buller goes home by an early steamer. I have, &c, W. B. Perceval, Esq., Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Ballance.

Enclosure in No. 24. Governors of Imperial Institute Appointed. James Peendeegast, Administrator of the Government. Wheeeas, by Eoyal Charter dated the twelfth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and eightyeight, an Association was incorporated by the name of the Imperial Institute of the United

H.—25

Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the Isles of the British Seas, hereinafter referred to as " the Institute " : And whereas the government of the Institute was provisionally vestsd in a Committee called the Organizing Committee, and the said Committee framed certain provisions as the constitution of the Institute and with a view of carrying into effect the said charter : And whereas, among other things, it is provided and declared in the said constitution that the Colony of New Zealand shall be represented on the Governing Body of the Institute by two Governors who shall be appointed by the Governor in Council: And whereas it is expedient to give effect to the said provision as hereinafter mentioned : Now, therefore, His Excellency the Administrator of the Government of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of every power and authority enabling him in this behalf, and by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth hereby appoint Sir Walter Lawry Buller, a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, and a Fellow of the Eoyal Society, at present residing in the City of Wellington, in the said Colony, but intending shortly to reside in the United Kingdom, and Westby Brook Perceval, of Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, in London, Esquire, the Agent-General of the said Colony in the United Kingdom, to be Governors of the governing body of the Institute : Provided that the said Westby Brook Perceval shall only hold the said office of Governor so long as he shall continue and be the Agent-General of the Colony of New Zealand in the United Kingdom. Given under the hand of His Excellency Sir James Prendergast, Knight, Chief Justice, the Administrator of the Government of the Colony of New Zealand, and issued under the seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this nineteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two. P. A. Buckley, Colonial Secretary.

. . .. No. 25. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) To Agent-General, London. Despatched 16th November, 1892. Impeeial Institute : No appropriation.

No. 26. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) To Agent-General, London. Eeceived 6th December, 1892. Impeeial Institute : Desirable to keep space open for colony. (Wellington, dated 6th.)

No. 27. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 1.) New Zealand : Premier's Office, Wellington, Sic,— 12th January, 1893. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 1637, of the 26th November, pointing out that, as the Imperial Institute is to be opened in May next, no time is to be lost if it is intended to have the New Zealand Court furnished by the opening date, and expressing a hope that you may be placed in a position to take the necessary action in the matter. In reply, I have to request that you will be good enough to utilise as far as possible the space available for New Zealand exhibits at the Imperial Institute, and to inform you that the Government propose to place a sum of £250 on next year's estimates for expenses connected with the furnishing, &c, of the New Zealand Court, and that meanwhile you are at liberty to expend a sum of £100 for that purpose. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Ballance.

No. 28. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (No. 4.) New Zealand : Premier's Office, Wellington. Sic,- 24th June, 1893. In continuation of my letter of the 12th instant, No. 1, in which you were authorised to expend £100 in connection with the furnishing, &c, of the New Zealand Court at the Imperial Institute, I now authorise you to pay freight and landing charges on all exhibits that may be consigned to you direct for the court. I may add that it is understood that the New Zealand Shipping Company, and Shaw-Savill and Albion Company, have agreed to take from here all goods intended for exhibition in the Institute at one-half the usual rates of freight. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. Ballance.

H.—25

No. 29. (Telegram.) To Agent-General, London. Despatched 24th March, 1893. Institute: Buller's collection with him in "Coptic." Wood linoleum in " Eimutaka." Grain timber, grasses, wool, to follow.

No. 30. (Telegram.) To Agent-General, London. . Despatched 22nd February, 1893. Impeeial Institute : 400 approved, understanding colony not committed annually, or further grant any kind. This supersedes letter 24th January by 'Frisco.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,375 copies), £15 12s.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB93.

Price 9d.~]

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IMPERIAL INSTITUTE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL RELATIVE TO)., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, H-25

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IMPERIAL INSTITUTE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL RELATIVE TO). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, H-25

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IMPERIAL INSTITUTE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL RELATIVE TO). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, H-25

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Bibliographic details

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IMPERIAL INSTITUTE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL RELATIVE TO). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, H-25

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No known copyright (New Zealand)

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AGENT-GENERAL RELATIVE TO). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, H-25

Using This Item

No known copyright (New Zealand)