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No. 12. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seoeetaet. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, 26th March, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of loth January (No. 177), covering a Catalogue of exhibits forwarded from the Colony for the Vienna Universal Exhibition. The bills of lading for the several packages have come to hand, and I have taken the necessary steps to have them forwarded at once to Vienna. I am particularly glad to learn that Dr. Haast has contributed some skeletons of the Dinornis for exhibition, and I shall lose no time in communicating with Professor Hochstetter, who, as I understand, has agreed to superintend their articulation. I feel sure that these fossil remains will be objects of considerable interest to the general public, and they will form a very appropriate centre-piece for the New Zealand Court. Now that I have received the detailed Catalogue of the exhibits from the Colony, and can form some idea of the contributions we are likely to receive from Colonists and others resident in this country, I am confirmed in the opinion I have all along entertained, that Zealand will make a very respectable show at the Exhibition of all Nations, and that our annexe will, on the whole, be very attractive, and will represent very fairly the resources and capabilities of the Colony. 1 have, &c, I. E. Feathekston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 13. The A gent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. 7, Westminster Chambers, Sic, — Victoria Street, Westminster, 29th November, 1872. I do myself the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of correspondence I have entered into with Professor Hochstetter relative to the Vienna Exhibition. I invited the learned Professor's co-operation, and received in reply an assurance of his readiness to do everything in his power to advance the interests of the Colony. I esteem myself fortunate in having secured the good offices of so able a coadjutor in this matter. I have, &c, I. E. Fsatiieeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 13. The Agent-Geneeal to Professor Yon Hochstettee. 7, "Westminster Chambers, Sib,— Victoria Street, S.W., 15th November, 1572. When you were on an official visit to New Zealand, in 1858,1 had the pleasure, as Superintendent of the Province, of meeting you at Wellington ; and, in common with the rest of the colonists, I have felt considerable interest in the results of your scientific researches. I have no doubt that you still feel an interest in the progress of the Colony, and I have therefore ventured to refer to you in a natter in which your assistance would be very valuable. As arrangements are being made on so magnificent a scale for the International Exhibition at Vienna, it is the desire of the New Zealand Government that the Colony should bo well represented on that occasion ; and lam now taking such steps as I can to insure this object. From your knowledge of the physical character and resources of the Colony, added to your largo general experience, I feel sure that you would be able to assist me very materially with your opinion and advice. I may add that, in complying with this request, you will not only be conferring a favour on myself, but a benefit on the Colony. Professor F. Yon Hochstetter, I have, &c, Polytechnic Institution, Vienna. I. E. Feathebston.

Enclosure 2 in No. 13. Professor Yon Hochstetter to the Agent-Genebal. (Translation from the German.) Sib, — Vienna, 19th November, 1872. In reply to your letter of the 15th of November, I hasten to assure you that it will be to mo both an honor and a pleasure if I can in any way be of service to you with regard to the representation of the Colony of New Zealand in the Vienna Exhibition. I have already been in communication with my friend Haast, in Christchurch, with regard to this matter. Dr. Haast, in his last letter, informs me that he is preparing a collection of samples of flax and wool, &c, for the Exhibition. 1 shall therefore be glad if you will kindly inform me what steps I should take with regard to New Zealand; I would with pleasure undertake to do anything for a land to whose esteemed inhabitants I am so much indebted. I presume that the place for the New Zealand Exhibition is included in that assigned to England. Yours most respectfully, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Professor D. F. Yon Hochstetteb.