21

A.—2

As regards the method of representation to be adopted by your Government, I hope that your Government will appoint a single Executive Commissioner to represent it at the Exhibition, and it will give me great pleasure to find that you have been nominated to this post, and that, if necessary, not more than two or three Commissioners, appointed by your Government, should assist you in these duties. Without being able to fix an exact date so far in advance, the Exhibition will open during the first fortnight in May in the year 1886. With the ample time which is being given to all concerned, I sincerely hope that the work of installation may be complete at least a fortnight previous to the date of opening. As the object of the Exhibition is to represent the progress and the development of each colony, it has been considered impracticable to call upon the Colonial Governments to comply with any form of classification as has been the custom at previous Exhibitions. Each colony is, therefore, at liberty to make a classification most suitable to its own requirements. In furtherance of this idea, I trust that each Government will take an early opportunity of preparing a catalogue of the objects intended for exhibition, which, for the sake of uniformity, I would request should be modelled somewhat on the principle of the enclosed specimen, more especially as regards size of page and style of type. Each Government will be at liberty to sell its own catalogue, but the Eoyal Commission will be glad to receive, as soon as practicable, a digest of it, in order that it may be embodied in a general catalogue of the Exhibition, which will be published by the Commission. Many points of interest will doubtless present themselves to you and to those who are concerned in the preparation of the Exhibition, but I should wish particularly to point out that I hope that careful statistics of your colony may be prepared, carrying the information to 1885, and in such a clear and readable form as to permit this valuable information to be readily understood by the working classes of this country. Maps, specially prepared for the information of the public, should also, as far as possible, be prominently shown in the New Zealand Court. It is hoped that these statistics, as well as the maps on a reduced scale, will be largely made use of in the catalogues. Much interest is taken in this country in the woods of the various colonies, and I should be glad to find that where cases are requisite for the display of goods, these cases should be made from the native woods of your colony, in order that a complete representation of them may be practically shown. With reference to the building-stones and marbles of your colony, I would suggest that they should be sent over in the form of pedestals, a sketch to scale of which is enclosed, as likely to add uniformity, and to render the specimens of commercial value. As it is possible that the various Colonial Governments participating in the Exhibition may desire, as its outcome, that a permanent Colonial Museum should be founded in London, it has been suggested that there are strong reasons for showing the adaptability of the products of your colony generally in as practical a manner as possible; hence it would be desirable that the raw product should be displayed in connection with the manufactured article. I have decided that commemorative medals should be given to all those taking part in this Exhibition; and I trust to have the assistance of specialists of known repute who will commence to make, at the opening of the Exhibition, exhaustive reports on the resources of the various colonies. These reports, issued at an early stage, will take the place of the jury system of previous Exhibitions. Before closing this letter, I should wish briefly to refer to special features which I have in view for the general advantage of the exhibiting Governments. This would seem to be a fitting occasion for the collection of all books and documents having relation to the colonies and India; a library therefore will, I trust, be formed by the various Governments concerned, which it will doubtless be found possible to supplement with contributions from this country. Special arrangements will be provided for the practical illustration, by one special kitchen, of all the colonial frozen meat industries, and of the colonial preserved meats, fish, and vegetables, should you be able to announce that the various producers, through your Government, are prepared to furnish the necessary supply. This department will be carried out by the Eoyal Commission itself, in order that the due participation of the various interests concerned may be maintained. There will also be a colonial fruit and vegetable market, which it is hoped that each Government will make arrangements to supply by monthly shipments. This department will also be under the control of the Eoyal Commission. An exhibition of colonial wines will be organised by the Eoyal Commission. I have also made arrangements for a limited space to be set apart for the exhibition of living animals from the colonies. In assuming the control of these various departments, the Eoyal Commission wishes to afford to the actual producers all the advantages of a fair display in the exhibition. The importers will, no doubt, hereafter benefit, but, at the present time, the interests of producers, as exhibitors, are of the first consideration to me ; and here I may mention that in these departments, as well as generally throughout the Exhibition, I have decided that only bond fide colonists can, through their respective Governments, participate in the Exhibition; it will not, therefore, be possible for the Eoyal Commission to entertain any application, upon any pretence whatever, from colonial Importers or agents in this country. I send to you this letter in duplicate, and I trust that you will have the kindness to communicate its substance by telegram to your Government, and forward my despatch by the earliest mail.