5

H.—6,

A multitude of beautiful and useful articles of needlework, woolwork, leatherwork, embroidery, and other female handiwork assisted to vary and adorn the exhibition. In these notes I have mainly given attention to those exhibits which were of exclusively local production, or connected in some way with local industries. My report would, however, be incomplete "were I to say nothing about the large collection of interesting and instructive objects which, in my opinion, rendered the exhibition a most valuable educating agent, by converting a great part of it into a museum. These included paintings and drawings by various artists, some of them being fine works of art, photogi'aphs, old books, comprising some specimens of black letter and old English; natural curiosities in great variety, a good collection of coins, antiquities of remarkable interest, a rare collection of Japanese weapons, costumes, and works of art; models of celebrated buildings, ceramic productions of various countries and periods, and numberless other objects. "When we consider how few opportunities the people of this colony have of seeing such things, or learning the humanizing and enlightening lessons they teach, it must be admitted, I think, that exhibitions such as that I have described serve a most useful public purpose, apart from that of advancing the commercial industry of the inhabitants. Before concluding my report, I desire to acknowledge in the warmest terms the ready assistance and untiring attention which I met with from the members of the Exhibition Committee, and particularly from the Secretary, Mr. Poyntz. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Edwabd Wakefield.

No. 4. The Hon. the Colonial Secketaby to Mr. E. Wakefield, M.H.8,. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 19th April, 1881 I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the interesting and exhaustive report which you have furnished upon the Industrial Exhibition recently held at Ashburton, and to convey to you the sincere thanks of the Government for the trouble you have taken, and the service you have rendered them in this matter. I have, &c, E. Wakefield, Esq., M.H.E., Timaru. Thomas Dick.

Authority: G-EOBOE Didsbuet, G-oyernment Printer, Wellington. —1881.