7

H.—2

Leven, rainbow, brown, and fontinalis varieties, ranging in weight from 101b. to 231b. The feathered game of the Dominion was represented by specimens of paradise, spoonbill, and brown ducks, pukeko, pheasant, and widgeon. A notable feature of the exhibit, and one greatly admired, was the oil and water-colour paintings by artists such as Christmas, Perrett, Howorth, and I ley sen : and the collection of photographic enlargements were typical of the agricultural, pastoral, and industrial aspects of the Dominion, as well as the scenic. On the occasion of the visit of their Majesties the King and Queen to the New Zealand Pavilion, on the 20th May, when they were accompanied by the President of the French Republic, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, H.R.H. Princess Victoria, and a distinguished party, both the King and President displayed great interest in the New Zealand exhibits, and expressed admiration for the display of sporting and other specimens made by the Department. A " grand prix " was awarded to this Department's exhibit of deer, wild goat, and boar heads, game, bird-skins, &c, and a " diploma of honour " to the exhibit of natural mineral waters and mineral mud from Government spas and sanatoria. A large quantity of literature illustrative of New Zealand, from the point of view both of the tourist arid of the prospective settler, was distributed to visitors, and served to further advertise the attractions of the Dominion. At the Imperial International Exhibition, which opened on the 20th May, 1909, this Department is even better represented than at the Franco-British Exhibition, as, in addition to showing all the exhibits used in connection with the latter, a further large number of sporting trophies lias been forwarded from New Zealand, so that a most comprehensive, typical, and interesting display is made. The distribution of literature concerning the Dominion has again been arranged for, and ample supplies have been forwarded for this purpose. At a very moderate outlay, an exhibit of a Maori' whare, &c., was made at both the Federal Bazaar and the Women's Political League Fete, at St. Kilda, Melbourne, and the New Zealand Government Agent attended both functions, and distributed suitable literature. Sport. The number of oversea visitors in search of angling, deer-stalking, and shooting has been well maintained. This refers more particularly to anglers, who each year arrive in increasing numbers. The sport which is now afforded by the number and size of the trout in our lakes and streams has become well known abroad, and T look to angling attractions with confidence as a means of largely increasing our tourist traffic. I append hereto a schedule showing the big game imported and distributed by this Department since it came into operation : —

Year. Number and Description of Game. Prom. Where liberated. 1901 4 red deer 3 „ 7 „ Wairarapa herds Lake Waikaremoana. Stewart Island. Tuhua, West Coast. 1903 1904 8 „ 6 thar Presented by Miss Audrey Chirnside, Werribee Park, Victoria Ditto ... Presented by the Duke of Bedford, England Ditto ... Lake Wakatipu. Mount Cook. 1905 6 Japanese deer Kaimanawa Ranges, near Taupo. Tarawera, Hawke's Bay. Fiordland National Park. if 5 blacktail deer 10 elk Purchased in the United States Presented by President Roosevelt, United States Purchased in the United States 8 19 Virginian deer 18 in Stewart Island, 1 in Nelson. Lake Kanieri, West Coast. 1906 1907 8 red deer 4 „ 5 9 „ Presented by Miss Audrey Chirnside, Werribee Park, Victoria Ditto ... Wairarapa herds Presented by G. W. Chirnside, Werribee Park, Victoria Presented by H.I.M. the Emperor of Austria Purchased in Noumea Purchased in England Tuhua, West Coast. Tongariro National Park. Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua. if 8 chamois Mount Cook. it 2 sanibur ... 6 axis Galatea, Rotorua District. 5 liberated at Mount Tongariro ; 1, which was blind, presented to Wellington Zoo. Paraparaurnu Deer Park. 1908 4 red deer ■Presented by Mr. Lucas, Warnham Court, England Paraparamu Deer Park ... 1909 3 Seaforth, Mackenzie River, Dusky Sound. Ditto. Mount Cook District, Southern Alps. ft 6 axis deer 3 bharal sheep Purchased in England (1 died) It a