H.—s

5

Moa Skeletons. —Dr. Haast has prepared a fine series of these, which will require to be articulated and mounted in the position they are to occupy; and I understand that he will write privately to Dr. Hochstetter on the subject. The skeletons will form a striking centre-piece for the New Zealand Court. Dr. Haast is also sending a fine collection of bird skina, which also will require to be mounted. Of Plans and Maps, only a small number promised have yet been received; but as they can be suspended on walls or back to back, no special permission is required for their exhibition. I would recommend that skilled draughtsmen should be employed to prepare large-si/ed explanatory tickets for the principal objects in the English, French, and German languages. 26th December, 1872. J. llectob.

No. 10. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Secbetabt. Sib, — Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, 21st March, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st December last (No. 170), forwarding a memorandum by Dr. Hector relative to the arrangement of the New Zealand collections in the Vienna Exhibition; and to assure you, in reply, that Dr. Hector's suggestions shall have my best attention. I have, &c, I. E. Feathebston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 11. The Hon. the Colonial Secbetaey to the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 15th January, 1873. Referring to my letters of the 23rd and 31st December, upon the subject of the transmission to England of articles of New Zealand produce for exhibition at Vienna, I have the honor to inform you that, in consequence of the early date at which it is decided to open the Exhibition, and the delay which has taken place in the departure from the Colony of the sailing vessels, by which it had been intended to forward the more bulky of these articles, the Government have reluctantly found themselves obliged to incur the expense of sending everything by the mail steamer, via Suez, which leaves Melbourne on the 31st instant. The only exception to this is that of the specimens of gold sent through the Bank of New Zealand. These, as you were informed in my letter above referred to, were shipped by the " City of Auckland," sailing from Auckland to London. The exhibits collected in Auckland are being sent to Sydney for transhipment there, and those from other parts of the Colony go by the " Alhambra " to Melbourne, to be there placed on board the P. and O. steamer. I enclose schedules of the packages and their contents. All the packages are addressed, " Dr. Featherston, Agent-General for New Zealand, London." Schedule lis that of nine cases from Auckland, marked " Vienna Exhibition, Auckland, No. 109." For that you will receive bills of lading from the agent of the P. and 0. Company in Sydney. Schedule 2 contains description of thirty-four packages, shipped from Wellington via Melbourne, marked " Vienna Exhibition, No. la." Tou will receive the bills of lading from Messrs. McMeckan, Blaekwood, and Co., of Melbourne, whom I have asked to see to their transhipment at that port. Of this latter shipment, cases Nos. 26, 27, and 28 contain bird skins and other specimens of Natural History, sent by Dr. Haast, of the Canterbury Museum, to Professor Yon Hochstetter. It is a matter of great importance that they should be forwarded with the greatest possible despatch, and I have to request that you will have them sent on at once, unopened, to the address of Professor Yon Hochstetter, Polytechnisclie Institute, Vienna. It would also be advisable to enlist the good offices of Professor Yon Hoehstetter in favour of the New Zealand exhibits. I iindcrstand there are many articles in the Museum and other public places of deposit at Vienna which would greatly enhance the appearance of the New Zealand exhibition if they could be obtained on loan ; and as Dr. Yon Hochstetter still, I believe, takes much interest in New Zealand, he would doubtless, if asked, give valuable assistance to yourself and Sir Charles Clifford at the Exhibition. His services would be especially valuable in the preparation of any portions of the New Zealand Catalogues requiring a scientific knowledge connected with the Colony, and in the revision of the translation of the Catalogue into the German language. I will address you on a future occasion with regard to the ultimate disposal of the articles exhibited. It is desirable that no time should be lost in forwarding those packages to Vienna. It will be unnecessary to open any of them in London, as a full descriptive Catalogue will reach you by next San Francisco Mail, which, with the information contained in the Enclosure to my letter of the 31st December, will be sufficient to enable you to order the preparation of the exhibition cases, which should of course be made at Vienna. I have, &c, G-. M. Watebhouse, I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General (for the Hon. Colonial Secretary), for New Zealand, London.