H.—sa

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the exhibits sent to the Vienna Exhibition appear to have been handed over to the recently organized Colonial Museum in London. • The Commissioners think that the authorities of that Museum would probably be willing to aid the Government in making a creditable representation of the colony at Philadelphia, by the loan of some of the collections recently deposited with them. I have therefore to suggest that a letter be written to the Agent-General, requesting him to ascertain how far the authorities of the Colonial Museum in London may be willing to lend their collections for the purpose indicated. I would further, at the request of the Commissioners, suggest that, in the event of the AgentGeneral receiving a favourable answer to his inquiry, Dr. Hector should be requested to select such of the collections as in his judgment it would be conducive to the interests of the colony to exhibit; and that instructions be sent to the Agent-General to hold them in readiness for transmission to Philadelphia on receipt of further advices. Should these suggestions meet with your approval, it might perhaps be advisable to convey the necessary instructions to the Agent-General by telegraph. I have, &c, W. B. D. Mantell, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chairman.

No. 12. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to the Hon. Mr. Mantell. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 31st August, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 10, ofthe 16th inst., in which you call my attention to the fact that a large number of exhibits sent to the Vienna Exhibition appear to have been handed over to the recently organized Colonial Museum in London; and suggest that an application should be made by the Agent-General to the authorities of the Museum to allow the New Ze.iland exhibits to be sent to Philadelphia; that Dr. Hector should be requested to select such of the collection as in his judgment it would be conducive to the interests of the colony to exhibit; and that instructions be sent to the Agent-General to hold them in readiness for transmission to Philadelphia on receipt of further advices. I reply, I have the honor to inform you that the Government have acceded to the proposals of the Commission, and that the Agent-General shall be communicated with accordingly. I have, &c, The Hon. W. B. D. Mantell, Daniel Pollen. Chairman, Philadelphia Exhibition Commission.

No. 13. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to the Agent- Geneeal. Wellington, Ist September, 1875. Philadelphia Exhibition, 1876. —Government have appointed a Royal Commission to arrange for sending exhibits from New Zealand. Commissioners recommend that some of the exhibits belonging to Government, returned from Vienna, should be sent to Philadelphia, to be selected and arranged by Dr. Hector. If these exhibits have been placed in the new Colonial Museum in London, will you make the necessary application to the authorities of that institution for leave to send a selection of them to America. The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Daniel Pollen.

No. 14. The Hon. Mr. Mantell to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sir, — Colonial Museum, Wellington, 16th August, 1875. Eeferring to my letter No. 12, of this day's date, in which the sum of £300 is set down as the probable expense of collecting exhibits in England, and of sending a special representative of the colony to the approaching Philadelphia Exhibition, I have the honor, at the request of the Commissioners, to submit for the consideration of Government whether the services of Dr. Hector might not be secured in that capacity with great benefit to the colony. The advantages of having on the spot some one thoroughly acquainted with the resources of the colony do not need pointing out. The Commissioners consider that, in the event of this suggestion meeting with the approval of Government, it would be necessary for the Agent appointed to reach Philadelphia not later than the end of April, and to remain there probably for a month. I have, &c, W. B. D. Mantell, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chairman.