H.—25
20
Enclosures in No. 15. (Telegram.) To Agent-General, London. Eeceived 28th April, 1892. When does Imperial Institute open ? What space available for New Zealand ? Wellington, dated 28th.
(Telegram.) To Premier, Wellington. Despatched 2nd May, 1892. Institute official opening early next year. Present space, forty-one by thirty ; height, nineteen ; basement space for bulky goods; upper gallery reserved expansion colonial sections.
Sir F. A. Abel to the Agent-Geneeal. My Deae Me. Peeceval, — Imperial Institute, London, S.W., 29th April, 1892. The official opening ceremonial is postponed until early next year, but the Fellows' Section of the building will be opened to them in the middle of June, and the exhibition of Indian art metal-work will be on view during the summer and autumn. Ceylon and some others are going to begin arranging their collections next month, and, if the Australasian collections are to be in a fairly complete condition by the time the official opening takes place, there is very little time to lose. A reply to the letter from your Secretary, as to space, &c, shall be sent very shortly. Yours, &c, F. A. Abel.
Sir F. A. Abel to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Imperial Institute, London, S.W., 4th May, 1892. Beferring to your letters of the 26th ultimo and the 2nd instant, I have much pleasure in forwarding you herewith two more copies of the detailed information with regard to the space allotted to • New Zealand in the intermediate gallery; and, in reply to your inquiry as to what additional space there is available for that colony in the galleries and basement, I have to state that I shall be able to allot in the latter five hundred square feet of space to New Zealand, to be devoted to the storage of samples in bulk of natural products, and that, should the space on the ground-floor of the intermediate gallery (of which you have particulars) prove insufficient for the accommodation of the collections to be transmitted from New Zealand, some further allotment of space will be made in the gallery above, which has been reserved in part for the purpose of affording additional accommodation for colonies when required. It is not in my power to make a definite statement with regard to the amount of additional space which can be there allotted, but I have little doubt that I shall be able to make satisfactory arrangements to meet the requirements in this respect of New Zealand. You are doubtless aware that I have repeatedly pointed out to the authorities in the colonies that the comparatively limited nature of accommodation which the Institute affords, precludes the exhibition of specimens or trophies of any very great size, and that no useful purpose, so far as a thorough illustration of the resources of the colony is concerned, is served by the display of such exhibits, and I have no doubt that you agree with my views on this subject, and will be disposed to support the representations which I have made. Your inquiry as to the date of the opening of the Institute has already been replied to by me in a letter addressed personally to the Agent-General. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway, Esq., C.M.G., F. A. Abel, Secretary. Secretary, Agent-General's Department for New Zealand, 13, Victoria Street, S.W.
No. 16. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) To Premier, Wellington. Eeceived 15th November, 1892. Impebial Institute : What amount appropriation? (London, 14.)
No. 17. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (No. 1637.) Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sic,— 26th November, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge your cablegram of the 16th November in answer to mine of the 11th, informing me that there was no appropriation for the Imperial Institute. I was induced to send my telegram, as Sir Frederick Abel, the Secretary to the Institute, was anxious to know whether the colony had made or was making any preparations for furnishing the New Zealand Court, so that it might be ready for the opening in May next. The buildngs are now practically completed, and many of the courts are filled with exhibits, and a great effort is being made to have all the courts properly furnished with as little delay as possible. I had hoped that ere this Sir W. L. Buller would have arrived in London and been able to give me the mind and intentions of the Government regarding the Imperial Institute. I concluded that the Government, by appointing representatives on the Governing Body, had determined to avail themselves of the facilities offered by the Institution for providing a standing exhibition in London of the products of the colony. I have already expressed the opinion in a previous letter that now that all the other