H.—34,

2

No definite information has yet been obtained relative to the size of nets and the season of the year during which their use should bo allowed; but as systematic fisheries are now established in Canterbury and elsewhere, it is probable that evidence on this important subject will be forthcoming after the experience of a few seasons. PIaAX. The further Eeport by Professor Church, relative to the intimate structure and constituents of the flax plant, has been obtained. (Appendix D.) It is intended shortly to publish the conditions on which the proposed exhibition of flax machinery is to be held, in terms of the resolution of the House of Eepresentatives, of the 27th October, 1872. On the application of the Canterbury Flax Association, the Provincial Government have voted £250, on condition that the exhibition is held in Christchurch. The experiment concerning the growth of cultivated flax has been continued at Taranaki and Wellington. (See Appendix E.) A Eeturn was called for of the area of flax land which exists in various parts of the Colony, by a circular addressed to Superintendents, with the following results (as shown in Appendix E) : — Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... No return. Taranaki ... ... ... ... ... ... 20,000 acres. Napier ... ... ... ... ... ... 26,000 acres. Wellington ... ... ... ... ... ... No return. Nelson ... ... ... ... ... ... No return. Marlborough ... ... ... ... ... ... No return. Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... ... 22,000 acres. Otago ... ... ... ... ... ... 307,000 acres. The last-mentioned Eeturn is accompanied by a plan, and appears to include the total area of those districts of the Province in which flax grows, and not merely the areas of land carrying a heavy flax crop, which appears to be the basis of the other estimate given. Timber. The appended circulars (Appendix G) have been issued, and timbers for experimental examination received in reply from E. H. Bold, Hawke's Bay; A. Munro, Wellington; D. Eoss, Hawke's Bay ; W. N. Blair, Otago. These have been prepared for experiment, and will be operated on as soon as they are sufficiently seasoned. Vienna Exhibition. Pull effect has been given to the resolution regarding the Vienna Exhibition (see Papers relative to Vienna Exhibition), and New Zealand will be represented by the following exhibits sent from the Colony, besides a large number obtained in England : — Minerals and Ores ... ... ... ... ... ... 155 exhibits. Agricultural and Pastural Products ... ... ... ... 65 exhibits. Phormium ... ... ... ... .... ... 82 exhibits. Timbers ... ... ... ... ... ... 127 exhibits. Manufactures ... ... ... ... ... ... 133 exhibits. Pine Arts ... ... ... ... ... ... 58 exhibits. Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... ... 78 exhibits. The latter includes a topographical and geological map of the Colony, upon a scale of 12 miles to the inch. A descriptive catalogue has been prepared of all these exhibits in English, German, and French. 25th July, 1873. James Hector.

APPENDICES. APPENDIX A. No. 1. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 18th November, 1872. In compliance with a resolution of the House of Bejiresentativcs, passed on 22nd October, 1872, a bonus is hereby offered for the encouragement of certain colonial industries, namely: — Iron.—Bonus of £5,000. Por the production in New Zealand of 1,000 tons weight of pig iron, of marketable quality. Conditions. 1. The bonus not to be given for any quantity less than 100 tons. 2. Notice of the intention to erect iron works and claim the bonus must be given to the Colonial Secretary before the 31st December, 1873. 3. The bonus must be claimed before the 30th June, 1875. 4. In the event of more than one claimant giving such notice, not more than seven-tenths of the bonus may be claimed by the first producer* and not more than three-tenths by the second producer ; but if only one claimant becomes a producer on the above conditions, he may claim the whole of the bonus.