THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 285, 11 May 1875, Page 3

THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITION.

The following copy of a circular letter on the subject of the representation of New Zealand at the proposed Philadelphia Exhibition, has been forwarded to us for publication by his Honor the Superintendent: " Circular No. 12, 75-931. " Colonial Secretary's Office, " Wellington, April 15th, 1875. " Sir, —Adverting to my circular letter of the sth January last, upon the subject of a collection of a set of exhibits to be forwarded as representing the resources of New Zealand, to the proposed Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876, I have the honor to inform you that the Government after mature consideration of the whole question, have decided on making an effort to have the colony represented at the Exhibition, but to forward the New Zealand contributions direct, instead of submitting them to previous exhibition and selection at Melbourne as proposed in Sir Redmond letter enclosed in mine above quoted. It has also been thought advisable to confine the exhibits from New Zealand almost exclusively to the natural productions of the country in their raw state instead of endeavoring to exhibit manufactured articles produced in a country where manufactures are in their infancy in juxtaposition with the productions of countries whose manufactures have been brought to a high state of efficiency. 1 ' 2|The principal exhibits which have suggested themselves to the Government are wool, grain of various kinds, gold, coal, timber, flax (including rope and other manufactured articles), Kauri gum (much used in the United States), and a carefully made collection of which would be of importance to this colony, tanning barks with samples of leather, preserved meats, tobacco leaf, mineral waters, and specimens of minerals, including, however, only those which might possibly lead to profitable use. "3.1 should be very glad if your Honor would kindly interest yourself to procure really* good and well prepared specimens of of such of the above named articles as are produced in the province under your administration with the exception of gold specimens, which the Government will arrange to obtain through the Bank of New Zealand.

" 4. An application will be made to Parliament to provide the necessary funds for the purpose, and I should feel obliged if your Honor will furnish an estimate of the probable amount that will be required 1o defray the expense of making a]collection of the products of the province under your administration, and sending them to Wellington, where they will be packed and forwarded to their destination.

"5. I wish to impress upon your Honoa that it ia very desirable that the Government should carefully guard themselves against any responsibility as regards the return or final disposal of the exhibits. I tiust therefore that you may be able to arrange that while the producer of each article is assured ot receiving full credit for its production, the article itself shall be at the absolute disposal of the Government, to ensure which it will be necessary that each exhibitor who will not freely give up his goods for exhibition should be paid a fair valuation for them before they are sent away ; excepting of course cases in which the exhibitors elect to give their own directions as to the disposal of their goods. •' I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your most obedient servant. (Signed) Daniel Pollen.