H.—s

1873. NEW ZEALAND.

THE VIENNA EXHIBITION, (PAPERS RELATING TO).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of Sis Excellency. No. 1. The Aqent-Genebal to the Hon. the Colonial Secbetaby. Westminster Chambers, Sib,— Victoria Street, Westminster, 27th June, 1872. I have the honor to bring under the notice of the Government the subject of the approaching International Exhibition at Vienna, which promises to be on a very magnificent scale. During my recent visit to the Continent, the vital importance of our Colony being properly represented on this occasion was urged upon my attention at Hamburgh, at Berlin, at Frankfort, and other commercial centres. The value to NewJ Zealand of such an advertisement cannot, I think, be overrated. The Colony has never yet had an opportunity of adequately exhibiting its natural and industrial resources ; and I would therefore press upon the Government the importance of seizing the present one—the more so as there seems now no hope of our getting any space allotted us in this Exhibition now taking place here. As, however, the Vienna Exhibition opens in June, 1873, there is no time to be lost; and I would suggest that immediate steps be taken in the Colony to insure the success of the undertaking. It is very desirable that the pastoral and agricultural capabilities of this Colony should be exemplified by a good series of wools, tins of preserved meat, and everything in the way of pulse and grain, wheat, barley, oats, &c. The natural productions of the country should be also fully represented, especially the Phormium and other indigenous fibres, together with everything calculated to show their adaptability for rope, cordage, textile fabrics, and paper. Exhibits of every kind illustrative of the industrial pursuits of the Colony, such as hides, tallow, cheese, butter, woollen manufactures, &c, would all be interesting and instructive from a Colonial point of view. It will be desirable also to exhibit a carefully arranged collection of minerals, rocks, and soils, in illustration of the immense physical resources of the country that still await development. Specimens of coal from various parts of the Colony, with full information as to the extent and position of the fields, and samples—both rough and polished —of the various kinds of useful and ornamental native woods, would be sure to attract much attention on the Continent; and, altogether, an exhibition of the kind I have indicated would be calculated to bring the Colony into favourable notice, and to give a fresh impetus to our trade and commerce. As the Government will be able to command the valuable advice and assistance of such men as Dr. Hector and Dr. Haast in the Colony, I feel that it is unnecessary for me to do more at present than to suggest, in this general way, what is necessary to be done. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebstoit, The Hon. W. Gisborne, Colonial Secretary. Agent-General.

No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Secbetaby to the Agent-Genebal. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 23rd September, 1872. I haTe the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 340, of the 27th June last, on the subject of the International Exhibition proposed to be held at Vienna, and in reply, to transmit to you the New Zealand Gazette (No. 48, of the 23rd September, 1872) containing a notice in reference thereto. All the articles except produce will, to save time, be purchased by the Government; and produce will be obtained by a competition at a preliminary exhibition, to be held at Christchurch in December. As you will be informed by telegraph, 2,500 square feet of floor space will be required, and this should be formed into a distinct Court. I—H. 5.