A.—2is

FURTHER DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Copy of DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. ■ Sir, — Downing Street, iilst March, 1876. I have the honor to transmit to you, for publication in the colony under your Government, a copy of a letter from the Eoreign Office, forwarding a note from the Netherlands Minister at this Court, with its enclosures, inviting the cooperation of the British colonies in an International Exhibition of Horticulture, to be held at Amsterdam in 1877. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CARNARVON, of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 1. The Fobeiot Office to the Colonial Office.Sib,— Foreign Office, 17th March, 1876. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you herewith a copy of a note, together with its enclosures, from the Netherlands Minister at this Court, inviting the co-operation of the British colonies in an International Exhibition of Horticulture, to be held at Amsterdam in 1877; and I am to request that, in laying the same before the Earl of Carnarvon, you will move his Lordship to take such steps as may seem to him best adapted for communicating to the proper quarters the invitation of the Netherlands Government with respect to the Exhibition in question. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Listee.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 1. Count Btlandt to the Earl of Deebt. M. le Comte, — Londres, le 11 Mars, 1876. Le'Cornite do l'Exposition Internationale d'Horticulture gui aura lieu a, Amsterdam en 1877, accordera un espace important dans les locaux de I'exposition non-seulement aux produits dcs colonic* Neerlandaises, mais aussi aux produits dcs colonies dcs autres Puissances etrangeres, dans le but d'etablir une ligne de comparaison entre ces differents produits, et d'avoir de la sorte dcs elements pour les discussions et investigations scientifiques dv congres gui sera convoque a cette occasion. En consequence le Comite susdit a exprime le desir: I°. Que les programmes de cette exposition fussent transmis par I'intermediaire dv Gouvernement do S.M.B. aux differents etablissements et societes interesses dans les Colonies Brit, ainsi qu'aux particuliers gui pourraient avoir interet a preter leur concours a cette eutreprise scientifique ; 2°. Que le transport dcs objets destines a l'Exposition Internationale d'Horticulture d'Amsterdam fut effectue gratis par l'entremise dv Gouvernement de S.M.B. Le Gouvernement Neerlandais s'interessant a la bonne reussite de cette exposition ma charge de soumettre les demandes dv Comite a la bienveillante consideration de V.E. J'ai l'honneur de joindre a cc pli dcs exemplaires dv prospectus en question ; et je saisis, &c. 8. E. le Comte de Derby, &c, &c, &c. C. de Btlandt. I—A. 2b.

1876. NEW ZEALAND.