A.—9

9

Enclosure in No. 27. [Extract from the Times, Friday, 19th November, 1886.] The Impeeial Institute. As a result of the meetings which have been held of the Prince of Wales's committee on the proposed Imperial Institute, of the colonial representatives and of the Exhibition Commissioners, we hear that though the Queen will lay the foundation stone of the Imperial Institute next June it will probably not be opened for three years, as it will take at least that time to get the buildings ready. It has been decided that the Exhibition will not be reopened next year in any form. Most of the Commissioners are rapidly dismantling their courts and returning exhibits, as they could not be left in sheds for three years. If possible, the buildings lying between the new public offices in Whitehall and Great George Street, Westminister, which belong to Government, will be pulled down and the Institute established there. It is suggested that the colonies should occupy the ground floor and the Mother-country the floor above, the Agents-General also being located in various parts of the buildings, which will have an area of 400,000 square feet. In this case the city scheme will be united with the Prince's. If this ground cannot be obtained, then a purely exhibitional arrangement will probably be made at South Kensington, and a commercial museum in the city. It is understood that none of the present Exhibition staff will be retained. The estimate of the cost of the building is £300,000. A sub-committee of the Imperial Institute committee met yesterday afternoon, and had a long conference with the Executive Commissioners representing those colonies which are not represented by the Agents-General.

No. 28. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 19th November, 1886. Impeeial Institute. I gather from the Hon. the Premier's letter of the 7th October that in future letters on the subject of the Imperial Institute of the Colonies and India are to bo addressed to him, and I propose to follow this course unless otherwise instructed. F. D. Bell.

No. 29. The Colonial Seceetaey, Western Australia, to the Peemiee. Premier, New Zealand. Of the five thousand pounds this colony has devoted to celebrating Jubilee two thousand will be contributed to Imperial Colonial Institute and the remainder will found and begin a public library in Perth. Perth, 22nd December. M. S. Smith.

No. 30. The Pbemieb of New South Wales to the Peemiee. Hon. Premier, Wellington. Eefeeeing to my circular telegram or the 13th October last I shall be glad if you will inform me at your convenience what course your Government, in the light of the recent joint cablegram from Agents-General, purpose pursuing with reference to the proposed lump sum contribution to the Imperial Institute. We are still of opinion that contribution from Australia and New Zealand should not be less than thirty-five or forty thousand, either in equal sums or on basis of population. When the question of the contribution is settled the joint cablegram can then be dealt with. Sydney, 24th December. P. A. Jennings, Premier.

No. 31. The Premier of Victoria to the Premier. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Approve generally of the proposals contained in joint telegram on Imperial Institute from AgentsGeneral, but it is not quite clear what is meant by the statement that as the colonies are contributing a lump sum no further grant for administration can be expected from them. Can it be that other money contributions than for administration may be required seeing that each colony is to have control of its section and the colonies generally to have a fair share in the general management. Some annual contribution would appear necessary. What is your view on this point ? If my surmise be correct, we should be informed of this probable cost. lam disposed to think that the colonies might stretch the lump sum contribution to say thirty or thirty-five thousand pounds if all agreeable, subject, of course, to the approval of Parliament. Melbourne, sth January. D. Gillies, Premier.

No. 32. The Agent-General to the Premier. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 2nd December, 1886. I go on with the story of what has taken place in connection with the Imperial Institute since my letter of the 19th November (No. 1538). 2—A. 9.