H.—23.

plains near Canterbury Mr. J. T. Matson has made the experiment, and, so far, successfully. His original stock of birds has rapidly,incKeased in number to thirty-five, and from the first crop of . feathers some of the finest were sent to Bond Street, in London, and, having been made up into fans, were presented to the Queen and the Princess of Wales. Some very fine specimens, both dressed and in the natural state, will be found in the New Zealand Court. The soil of the Canterbury plains, where these birds are kept, is very light, with a heavy bed of shingle underneath, and the average rainfall is not more than 24in. for the year. Mr. Matson estimates that, even should he get no higher price than two shillings for each of the twenty-five white feathers upon each wing, ostrich-farming will yield a good profit. Mineral Deposits. _ New Zealand is very rich in metalliferous deposits. Possessing a liberal share of all the metals found abundantly in Australia, it produces also iron and many valuable ores in payable quantities which on the Continent are but rarely found, and when discovered turned to but small account. No iron-mines have yet been worked in New Zealand, but extensive tracts of black ironsand on the West Coast have been tested, and found to prodnce such high-grade results that companies have been formed both in England and in the colony to manufacture steel direct therefrom. The New Zealand Steel and Iron Company (Limited) is now at work at Onehunga for the purpose of making-bar iron from this sand, and propose to claim a bonus offered by the Government for the manufacture of 200 tons of wrought-iron blooms. Until quite recently the New Zealand iron-trade was allowed to languish, notwithstanding its splendid possibilities; but anterior to the year 1870 the records show that it had been conducted with some activity and profit. Messrs. T. and S. Morrin and Co., of- Auckland, show a very nice sample of iron-ore obtained from a spot a hundred miles from that city, and Messrs. Washboume and Sous, of Parapara, Nelson, exhibit iron-oxide paints, prepared from ironstone. These pigments have a covering power more than three times that of lead, and, besides possessing greater durability than ordinary colours, are stated to be fire-resisting. Included with the varied collection of rocks and fossils shown by the Geological Survey Department are samples of both metallic and non-metallic minerals, and minerals in large blocks. The Mines Department also exhibit specimens of ores and minerals. Chrome ore, which is a mixture of chromic iron and alumina, associated with magnesian rock, has been largely exported from Nelson. It is used for making brilliant yellow dyes, and for the manufacture of salts of chromic acid. Up to the year 1866 the value of the ore shipped to various parts of the world was £37,367, but since then the trade has languished. Manganese ores, used for the generation of chlorine for bleaching purposes, are plentiful. These also have been largely exported from the Bay of Islands. In 1879 over £8,338 worth was shipped away, and their exportation is still continued, but not with the vigorous enterprise which formerly characterised the trade. The Lammerlaw Antimony Company, of Lawrence, New Zealand, furnish specimens of antimony ore obtained from their property. Both antimony and zinc deposits are obtainable of good quality in many parts of the Islands. Plumbago or black-lead, largely used in the manufacture of lead pencils and other commercial commodities, has been discovered at Waikura Creek, Waimate. Mineral Oils. The exhibit mentioned in the catalogue as shown by the South Pacific Petroleum Company, of Gisborne, New Zealand, of crude petroleum, obtained from the scene of their operations, as well as dye products manufactured by them, and photographs of the company's works, did not appear to have been sent, unless it was included in the exhibit of crude and refined oils in tin:: Now South Wales Court. Some very fine mineral oils have been found in New Zealand, principally in the Taranaki, Poverty Bay, and Waiapu districts. In the former locality petroleum oozes from cracks in trachyte-breccia rock, bat no steady supply could be obtained until lately. In the same vicinity a valuable lubricating oil is produced. At Poverty Bay the natural oil contains a high percentage of paraffin, and is of high illuminating power, and the oil, after three distillations, yields a product of the same specific gravity and illuminating properties as common kerosene. Mineral Springs. Messrs. Hancock and Co., of Auckland, agent for the Te Aroha Soda- and Mineral-water Company (Limited), exhibit Te Aroha mineral water aerated, in bottles, which may bo used for ordinary drinking or medicinal purposes. This liquid is obtained from the celebrated springs situate about 120 miles from Auckland, which are such a favourite resort of Australian tourists during the summer months. The industry is described to be only in its infancy, the company having lately started operations on obtaining a lease of the springs from the Government for ten years. The waters are said to have similar qualities to those of Vichy and Ems, in Europe, and by analysis are proved to be quite equal to them in strenth. New Zealand is singularly rich in streams of water that hold mineral salts in solution, and it is surprising that, long before this, a good export trade in this has not been established. Building-materials. The fine building-stone which is found in New Zealand is well known. 'For sometime a stoneimporting and a stone-cuttmg^ompany, who get their material from that country, has been carrying on a good, business in Melbourne. The New Zealand Court contains several exhibits of the product, including a beautiful trophy, shown by Mr. J. Cooper, of Wairoa, Plawke's Bay, embracing wrought-carved, inscribed, and gilded monumental stone, and a noble block of white Mount Somers stone, shown by Mr. W. Stocks, of Christchurch. Although la,vas and scorias are frequently found

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