A.—9

15

that the Imperial Institute should aspire to be a college for technical education. Many of the large towns in Great Britain have recently established colleges or schools of science and art. The Imperial Institute might serve to promote technical education in these, and to unite them with colleges of larger resources which have been founded or formed branches for the purpose in the metropolis. It is too much to hope that an active co-operation of this character between the provincial centres and London could be at once undertaken by the Imperial Institute ; but the committee bear in mind that in their last report the Commissioners of 1851 have indicated an intention to assist in carrying out such a scheme. If the Commissioners would contribute three or four thousand pounds annually it would be possible to establish scholarships which might enable promising candidates of the working-classes to attend the local institutions, and even, when it was desired, to complete their technical education in colleges of the metropolis. In addition to this aid the Imperial Institute might be able in other ways to promote the foundation of scholarships both in connection with the colonies an I provincial centres, in the hope of still further extending these benefits to the working-classes. In conclusion, the committee subm that an Imperial Institute such as they have sketched on broad outline, would form a fitting merco'v'al of the coming year, when Her Majesty the Sovereign of this Empire will celebrate the JubiLe of her happy reign. It would be an emblem of the unity of the Empire, embracing as it does ail parts of the Queen's dominions, and tending to promote that closer union between them which has become more and more desired. It would exhibit the vast area, the varied resources, and the marvellous growth, during Her Majesty's reign, of the British Empire. It would unite in a single representative act of the whole of her people; and, since both the purpose and the effect of the Institute will be to advance the industrial and commercial resources of every part of the Empire, the committee entertain a confident hope that Her Majesty's subjects, without distinction of class or race, will rejoice to take part in offering this tribute of love and loyalty. Herschell, Owen T. Bubne. Chairman. Eeginald Hanson, Caenarvon. Lord Mayor. Eevelstoke. J. Pattison Currie, Eothschild. Governor of the Bank of EngG. J. Goschen. land. Lyon Playfaie. John Staples. Heney James. Frederick Abel, Henry T. Holland. Vice-President of the Society of H. H. Fowler. Arts. C. T. Eitchie. J. H. Tritton, Fred. Leighton, President of the London ChamPresident of the Eoyal ber of Commerce. Academy. Nevile Lubbock. Ashley Eden. Henry Broadhurst. 20th December, 1886.

No. 37. The Agent-General to the Peemiee. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 14th January, 1887. I transmit to you herewith the Times report of the meeting held at St. James's Palace two days ago, when His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales assembled a large number of influential men and announced his approval of the scheme for the Imperial Institute framed by his committee of advice; and of the subsequent meeting the same day at the Mansion House, at which resolutions were moved by Lord Granville, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Goschen), Lord Herschell, Lord Lome, and others, pledging the meeting to support the plan. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure in No. 37. St. James's Palace, Wednesday, 12th January, 1887. Eeport of the Proceedings at an Assembly of the Eepresentatives of County and Municipal and other Local Government Authorities of the United Kingdom ; also the Presidents, Secretaries, and other Officers of the principal Scientific, Commercial, and Artistic Institutions of the Country. His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was accompanied by His Eoyal Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales, took the chair at a quarter to one o'clock, and was supported by the following members of the Organizing Committee: —Lord Herschell (Chairman), the Earl of Carnarvon, KG.; Lord Eevelstoke, Lord Eothschild, the Eight Hon. Sir Lyon Playfair, K.C.8., M.P.; the Eight Hon. Sir Henry James, Q.C., M.P.; the Eight Hon. Sir Henry T. Holland, Bart., M.P.; the Eight Hon. Sir John Eose, Bart., G.C.M.G.; the Eight Hon. H. H. Fowler, M.P.; Sir Frederic Leighton, Bart. (President of the Eoyal Academy); the Hon Sir Charles Tupper, G.C.M.G., C.8.; Sir Saul Samuel, K.C.M.G., C.8.; Sir Lothian Bell, Bart., F.E.S.; Sir Edward Guinness, Bart.; Sir Ashley Eden, K.C.5.1., CLE.; Sir Owen T. Burne, K.C.5.1.; Sir Eeginald Hanson (Lord Mayor of London), Mr. J. Pattison Currie (Governor of the Bank of England), Sir