H.—s

No. 6. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sic, — Wellington, New Zealand, 23rd December, 1872. I have the honor to inform you that the Government have decided to appoint Sir Charles Clifford and yourself to be Commissioners to represent this Colony at the International Exhibition to be held at Vienna in May, 1873. The Government regret that from want of time they are unable, in the first instance, to ask your consent to act on this Commission ; but knowing the great interest you take in the Colony, and relying on 3 rour desire to see it properly represented on so important an occasion, I trust you will see your way to undertake the office in question, which wall necessarily be an honorary one. A Commission will be sent by next month's mail; but as it has been suggested that the appointment may have to be made by the Imperial Government, the Governor has been requested to move the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in case such necessity exists, to cause the necessary commission to be issued to you, and such commission, if issued, will of course supersede that sent to you from the Colony. I have, &c, 1. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General J. Hall. for New Zealand, London. P.S. —I enclose the letter for Sir Charles Clifford, which I request you will cause to be delivered to that gentleman, with whom you will put yourself in communication upon the subject.

No. 7. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Sic. — Victoria Street, Westminster, 21st March, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23rd December (No. IGG), requesting me to undertake, in conjunction with Sir Charles Clifford, the office of Commissioner to represent the Colony at the forthcoming Vienna Exhibition, and informing me that the office in question will necessarily be an honorary one. In reply, I beg to assure you of my readiness to accept such a commission, and of my desire to do everything in my power to promote the interests of the Colony on this important occasion. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 8. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent- General. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir, — Wellington, New Zealand, 23rd December, 1872. I enclose herewith a list of articles for exhibition at Vienna, which are being sent by sailing ships from Wellington, Canterbury, and Auckland. Complete lists will be sent, with bills of lading, by the first mail after each vessel has sailed; and consignees' letters, with duplicate bills of lading, will be sent by each ship. I also enclose a list of articles which will be sent via Melbourne, by the next Suez mail. And I further send you the copy of a letter from the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, enclosing invoice of specimens of gold and silver, shipped at Auckland per the " City of Auckland," for delivery at the Bank of New Zealand in London to your order. I will keep you advised by every mail of what is being done towards forwarding articles for exhibition. I desire particularly to impress upon you the importance of making the most of such exhibits of wool as may be sent, as I have some reason to fear that the samples will hardly be such as to do fair justice to the production of wool in New Zealand. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General J. Hall. for New Zealand, London.

No. 9. The Hon. the Colonial Secretauy to the Agent-General. Sir,- — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 31st December, 1872. I have the honor to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter dated the 26th instant, from Dr. Hector, with enclosed memorandum of suggestions for arrangement of New Zealand exhibits in Vienna, and to request that you will be good enough, as far as you possibly can, to carry out Dr. Hector's suggestions. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General J. Hall. for New Zealand, London.

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