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would have sent the goods on by rail, but it appears that the goods trains take about 21 days, while the voyage by Panama is from 24 to 26 days. There is also the chance of extra delay owing to snow blockades which are now frequently happening. The goods were finally shipped in the paddle steamer " Constitution," on Tuesday, 15th February. I have to suggest that a letter of thanks be despatched to Mr. A. P. Bacon, general agent of the Pacific Mail Steam Shipping Company, through whose good offices such speedy despatch was effected. A similar course to the above was pursued by the gentlemen representing New South Wales and South Australia. Mr. Bacon has further undertaken to see that, if any supplementary exhibits arrive by the next mail, they shall be forwarded without delay to Philadelphia. I shall take care to arrive in New York in time to receive the exhibits, and on their arrival at that place I will report to you further. I have, Ac, The Hon. Walter Mantell, A. T, Bothamley. Chairman of the Philadelphia Exhibition Commission, Wellington, New Zealand.

Philadelphia Exhibition Commission of New Zealand. Mr Botuamley to the Hon. "W". Mantell. Sib,— Philadelphia, Pa., U.S. A. 17th March, 1876. I have the honor to infom you that I arrived at New York, on 3rd March. Finding that the goods were not expected there till 13th March, I proceeded on sth March to this place. Telegrams sent by an unauthorized agent having reached botli the British and Centennial Commissioners, called me again to New York, which I should otherwise not have found it necessary to visit for some time. The goods arrived as expected at New York on 13t.h instant, and are now on the way to this place, some little delay having been caused by the issue of new regulations by the Centennial Commission. I found it necessary to return here from New York without waiting for the arrival of the goods, as all my letters are addressed here, and the British Commissioners, Colonel Herbert Sandford, R.A., and Professor Thomas Archer, F.E.S.E., have the privilege of sending telegrams to Great Britain free of charge, and are good enough to forward to England any messages for Colonial Commissioners. I have thus been able to communicate with Dr. Hector. This morning the Secretary of the British Commissioner telegraphed tfeit the " New Zealand Catalogue is complete, printing with ours." This is of great advantage, as the British Commission are printing 10,000 copies of their Catalogue, —combining with it as many of the Colonial Catalogues as have been furnished, —in advance of the Catalogues to be issued by the Centennial Commission. I have written to Dr. Hector informing him that the funds in my hands will not be sufficient to defray the expenses of the Commission. I think it possible that another £500 will be required. By reference to the Parliamentary Papers of last session you will see that £1,250 was the total sum set apart for this especial service, including travelling expenses. The space allotted to New Zealand exceeds 2,000 square feet, being situated in four blocks with a frontage of 18 feet to the main avenue, and a total frontage of 371 feet. Unless the exhibits to arrive from London are very numerous, it is probable that not more than half this space will be required. Of this I shall be informed in a few days, as Dr. Hector (as I have learned by telegram) wrote to me on 9th instant, and by the same mail which brings his instructions I shall expect to hear of the arrival of the English exhibits. I have made arrangements with Messrs. Walker and Jtenwick, of New York, correspondents of Messrs. E. Walker and Co., of Auckland, for the loan of a fine exhibit of kauri gum, and thinking that the amount of phormium forwarded from New Zealand would not adequately display the qualities of the fibre, and the trade in it which is carried on, I have also, through the courtesy of Mr. K. VV. Forbes, of New York, a Commissioner for New South Wales, obtained the loan of some bales of phormium. 18th March, 1876. A telegram from England has been communicated to me saying that Dr. Hector will bring from England the show cases necessary for the New Zealand Court. I have, &c, The Hon. Walter Mantell, A. T. Bothamlet, Secretary. Chairman of the Philadelphia Exhibition Commission, Wellington, New Zealand.

Philadelphia Exhibition Commission, Sib— Philadelphia, U.S.A., 25th April, 1876. I have the honor to report for your information, that on receipt of your telegram I agreed to the space criminally assigned to New Zealand, in the main building, being altered at the request of the Executive Commissioners for Great Britain. I did so in the first place because I felt certain that the