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After a residence of sixteen days in Vienna, having ascertained that the larger proportion of the New Zealand exhibits had arrived, I felt that I could safely leave our Court in the hands of Mr. Bevan. I was less reluctant to return to England, as Professor yon Hochstetter had, in conversation with me, manifested great anxiety to assist us, and had undertaken to superintend our collection of specimens in Natural History. When he has completed the setting up of the skeletons of the moas forwarded by Dr. Haast, this will be quite unique of its kind. The thanks of the Colony are due to • Mr. Philip Cunliffc Owen, the indefatigable Secretary to the Royal Commission, for the great pains taken by him to secure every advantage for the Colonies. Indeed, it was through his exertions that I was enabled to be of somewhat more service to New Zealand than might otherwise have been the case. We are also much indebted for the early attractiveness of our Court to Dr. Featherston and Mr. Buller, who have obtained many articles of importance for exhibition from friends of New Zealand in Great Britain. The careful classification by Dr. Hector of many of the specimens sent direct from the Colony, naturally calls for attention, as it increased their educational value, and prevented an otherwise unavoidable loss of time in unpacking and re-arranging them. I left Vienna on 14th May, and returned to England with the. strong impression that the New Zealand Court at Vienna would be far from the least interesting part of the most magnificent Exhibition that the world has yet seen. I may, perhaps, be allowed to suggest that many articles exhibited by the Government and by individuals, which have little or no intrinsic worth, would be highly valued by Museums and Scientific Societies, and that it would be a graceful recognition of their courtesy to us, as well as useful to the Colony, if they were presented through Professor Yon Hochstetter to the various institutions of this kind in Vienna. Botanical, mineralogical, and zoological specimens and collections of raw material might thus be utilized. Trusting that I may have fulfilled the honorable duties intrusted to mc by the Colony to the satisfaction of the Government, I am, &c., The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chas. Clifford.
No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 20th October, 1873. I transmit for your information a copy of papers in connection with the representation of the Colony at the International Exhibition at Vienna, which were printed and laid before Parliament at its recent Session here. Amongst these papers you will observe a letter from SirC. Clifford, detailing his proceedings as Commissioner for New Zealand on the occasion of the opening of the Exhibition. I enclose the reply of the Government to Sir C. Clifford's despatch, which I request you will cause to be delivered to that gentleman; and I also enclose a copy of the same for your own information. You will observe that Sir C. Clifford makes especial mention of the names of Professor yon Hochstetter, and Mr. Philip Cunliffc Owen, and of Mr. Phillips Bevan, as conspicuous for the valuable aid they have given in their respective capacities. I request that you will convey to those gentlemen the warm acknowledgments of the Government, on behalf of the Colony, for the able assistance they have rendered to New Zealand on this occasion. You will also perceive that Sir C. Clifford suggests " That many articles exhibited by the Government and by individuals, which have little or no intrinsic worth, would be highly valued by museums and scientific societies, and that it would be a graceful recognition of their courtesy to us, as well as useful to the Colony, if they were presented through Professor yon Hochstetter to the various institutions of this kind in Vienna." In this opinion the Government entirely concur,- and I have to request that you will endeavour to obtain the valuable co-operation of Professor yon Hochstetter with a view of carrying out Sir Charles's recommendation, placing at the Professor's disposal the whole of the exhibits contributed by the Government of New Zealand, as well as those forwarded by private individuals, the ultimate disposal of which was left at the discretion of the Government. In conclusion, I desire to express the feeling of sincere regret with which the Government learned that the Colony was not to have the benefit of your personal attendance as its Commissioner at the opening ceremony, and in the arrangement of the exhibits sent to represent its resources. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. William H. Reynolds.
Enclosure in No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to Sir Charles Clifford. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 20th October, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your interesting letter of the sth of June, in which you give an account of your proceedings as the Commissioner to represent New Zealand at the opening of the International Exhibition at Vienna in May, 1873.
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