A.—l

24

Extract from the "Press," of 17th Dec, 1872. i

Extracts from tli " Otarjo Daily Times," and "Morning Star, of 23rd Dec, 1872.

No. 16. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Bight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 111.) Christchurch, Canterbury, My Lord, — New Zealand, 18th December, 1872. I have the honor to report that, having been invited by the Superintendent of the Province of Canterbury to open the Exhibition of the articles to be contributed from New Zealand to the approaching International Exhibition at Vienna, I left Wellington on the 12th instant, and landed on the following day at Lyttelton, whence I proceeded to Christchurch. 2. My reception by all classes of the community, on this as on my three previous visits to Canterbury, was extremely cordial. It will be seen from the local newspapers that, among other demonstrations of welcome, I was entertained at a public dinner by the Mayor of Christchurch, and that a public ball was also given in honor of Lady Bowen and myself. 3. I annex a full account of the Exhibition, and of the very interesting ceremony of the opening;—including the able address of the Superintendent, which contains an excellent summary of the remarkable progress during the last five years of the Colony of New Zealand in general, and of the Province of Canterbury in particular. It will be seen that towards the conclusion of my reply I spoke as follows :—" It is a suggestive fact, that this Exhibition should be " opened on the anniversary of the foundation of the Province. Exactly twenty- " two years ago, on the 16th December, 1850, the first band of Canterbury pilgrims " landed, on what was then an almost silent and solitary shore. Already this " single Province of Canterbury —like the sister Province of Otago, which is only " two years older —far exceeds in revenue, in trade, and in general importance, " the entire Colonies of Tasmania, of Guiana, as also of Jamaica, and of the other " West Indian Islands, some of which have been settled for more than two " centuries." 4t. These are facts which cannot fail to prove of interest to your Lordship, as one of those English statesmen who took an active part in the foundation of Canterbury. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN.

No. 17. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 112.) Dunedin, Otago, My Lord, — New Zealand, 24th December, 1872. In continuation of my Despatch No. 111, I have the honor to report that on the 19th instant, I proceeded by land from Christchurch to the picturesque and secure harbour of Akaroa, in Banks' Peninsula; of which I gave some account in describing my previous visit to Canterbury in 1871.* 2. The distance from Christchurch to Akaroa is about fifty-six miles; and an excellent carriage road, passing through much fine scenery of forest and mountain has recently been completed. 3. On the 20th instant I left Akaroa in the Colonial Government steamer " Luna," and on the following day landed at Dunedin; where I received a most cordial welcome, as will be seen from the annexed account given in the local c journals. In the words of my letter to the Mayor—" Few public men anywhere " have ever been received in a more hearty manner than I was received here by " " the many thousands of my fellow-countrymen who thronged the quays and " lined the streets of your city. A demonstration of this kind cannot fail to be " personally gratifying; while it becomes still more satisfactory when it is con- " sidered that in self-governing colonies the Representative of the Queen is " regarded as a connecting link with the Crown and with the Mother Country, * See Governor of New Zealand to Secretary of State, No. 31, of 10th April, 1871.