A.-9

1887. NEW ZEALAND.

IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE ORIGINATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHEME.)

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

No. 1. The Agent-Genebal to the Colonial Tbeasueee. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 19th June, 1886. At the request of the Duke of Manchester I transmit herewith copy of a letter addressed to me by His Grace on the subject of a permanent Colonial Museum in this country. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure in No. 1. Eoyal Colonial Institute, Northumberland Avenue, Sir,— London, W.C., 17th June, 1886. On behalf of the Council of the Eoyal Colonial Institute I beg to address you on the subject of the establishment of a Colonial Museum in London. As will appear by their annual reports, the Council have long been deeply impressed with the paramount importance of the establishment of a Colonial Museum in London. The Exhibition now open affords an opportunity which will never again present itself for the formation of such a museum, wherein the resources, products, and manufactures of the various colonies may be preserved for public inspection and instruction. In furtherance of these views the Council hope that you will, at the earliest possible opportunity, bring this matter under the notice of the Government of the colony you represent, and they trust that you may be authorized to confer with the High Commissioner for Canada and the several AgentsGeneral in London, so that a combined and strenuous effort may be made to prevent the dispersion at the close of the Exhibition of the magnificent display now on view at South Kensington. The Council have expressed their readiness to co-operate, as far as lies in their power, in carrying out any well-considered plan for the accomplishment of this important object. A similar letter has been addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies with a request that the Crown Agents may be instructed to join with the High Commissioner for Canada and the several Agents-General in any conference they may hold on the subject. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., . Manchester, Agent-General for New Zealand, Chairman of the Council. 7, Westminster Chambers, S.W.

No. 2. The Agent-Genebal to the Colonial Tbeasukee. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 15th July, 1886. The question "of the formation of a permanent Colonial Exhibition or Museum in this country, and the alternative of continuing the present Exhibition for a time, have lately attracted much attention and interest, and various suggestions have been made as to the steps that ought to be taken to carry out the project. It was felt on all sides, however, that as the idea of a permanent Colonial Exhibition had been brought before the respective Governments by the Prince of Wales in his circular despatch of November, 1884, the initiative for any project now could only come from His Eoyal Highness. Several meetings have been held of members of the Eoyal Commission, at the instance of the Prince, the first being on the 22nd June, to receive a message from His Eoyal Highness. I. transmit to you herewith some confidential notes of the proceedings. I—A. 9.