H.—25

9

I now beg to enclose copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Institute, transmitting the constitution of the Institute as approved by the Queen, and asking to be informed before the 31st instant of the names of the two Governors to represent New Zealand on the Governing Body; also, referring to the approximate apportionment of space allotted to the colony for the installation of collections of its natural products. In reply, I have informed Sir Frederick Abel that I now presume it is not your intention to nominate any Governors on the Governing Body, or to take advantage of the space intended to be allotted to the colony. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 1 in No. 9. Sir F. A. Abel to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Imperial Institute, London, S.W., 7th May, 1891. I have the honour, by direction of his Eoyal Highness the President and the Organizing Committee of the Imperial Institute, to enclose herewith, for your information, a copy of the constitution of the Institute, as approved by Her Majesty the Queen under Eoyal warrant, dated the 21st April last; and lam to express the hope that your Government will communicate to H.E.H. the President, on or before the 31st instant, the names of the gentlemen appointed by it to represent the Colony of New Zealand. I shall have the pleasure, in the course of a few days, to transmit to you the preliminary approximate apportionment of space allotted to your colony for the installation of its permanent collections of natural products. I have, &c, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., F. A. Abel, Secretary. Agent-General for New Zealand, 13, Victoria Street, S.W.

Sub-enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 9. Whitehall, 23ed Apbil, 1891. The Queen has been pleased to issue a Warrant under Her Majesty's Eoyal Sign Manual, approving a Form of Constitution for " The Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India, and the Isles of the British Seas," to the following effect: — Vict obi a, E. Victoeia, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, to all to whom these presents shall come ; Greeting: Whebeas the Governing Body of the Corporation of " The Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the Isles of the British Seas," established by Our Charter, bearing date the twelfth day of May, in the fifty-first year of Our Eeign, have, in pursuance of the provisions of the said Charter, applied to Us for Our approval of a Form of Constitution for the said Institute which has been prepared by the Organizing Committee of the said Corporation : Now know Ye that We, having taken the same into Our consideration, are graciously pleased to comply with their application, and, by these presents, to approve of the Form of Constitution for " The Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the Isles of the British Seas," as set forth in the document under Our Eoyal Sign Manual hereunto annexed. Given at Our Court at Saint James's the twenty-first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one, in the fifty-fourth year of Our Eeign. By Her Majesty's Command, Heney Matthews. Victoeia, E. Wheeeas by Eoyal Charter, dated the 12th May, 1888, an Association was incorporated by the name of the Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the Isles of the British Seas, hereinafter referred to as the " Institute." And whereas a President was appointed of the said Association, and His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales was named as the first President: And whereas the Government of the said Institute was provisionally vested in a Committee called the Organizing Committee, consisting of the several persons therein named, and of such other persons as should be appointed in pursuance of the said Charter. And whereas it was provided by the said Charter that before the expiration of three years from the date of the said Gharter, the Organizing Committee should prepare a Form of Constitution for the Institute, providing among other things for such a Governing Body, as, in the opinion of the Organizing Committee, would best represent the subjects of Her Majesty in the United Kingdom, the Colonies and India, and the commercial and industrial interests of the Empire : And it was further provided that the said Constitution should contain such other provisions as might be deemed expedient in relation to the government of the Institute, its property and affairs, and in respect to the Members thereof, and generally to the regulation of all matters whatever, which the said Organizing Committee might deem it expedient to provide for in such Constitution: And it was by the said Charter declared that such Constitution should be subject to approval by Eoyal Warrant, and when so approved should be of the same validity and effect as if the provisions thereof had been contained in the said Charter, and no question should thereafter be raised as to its validity : And it was further provided in the said Charter that the said Constitution when approved should be published in the London Gazette, and from and after the date of such publication should come into force : 2—H. 25.