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more if the commercial bond of Empire is ever made ; secondly, it was desired to attract to the colony agricultural people from the Motherland. Both objects are admirably fulfilled, Thejjordinary visitor to the Exhibition with no direct knowledge of Empire sees New Zealand lamb and other results of New Zealand's industries ; the prospective emigrant is given all information in the course of a conversation with an expert, and is sent away laden with literature. The farmer fail him cannot do better than to pay a visit to the hall in which New Zealand displays her prosperity and her possibilities." Imperial International Exhibition. Before the Franco-British Exhibition closed it was announced that the grounds and buildings would be reopened the following year with another exhibition on the same scale. The Government was again invited to participate, and Cabinet decided that New Zealand would be represented at this Exhibition, which is known as. the Imperial International. Arrangements were made to occupy the same pavilion in which the New Zealand Court was housed last year, comprising some 6,000 ft. space and some further spaces attached to the same building. The special feature of this Exhibition will consist in the display of the most distinctive and unique products and manufactures in which foreign countries, their colonies and< dependencies, and theJjßritish Empire respectively excel ; and, Canada, and the Australian States having decided not to be represented, it was considered that the New Zealand Pavilion would fherebyjjreceive greater prominence. In addition to the exhibits-jthat'were secured from the Franco-British, a very large and varied collection' ol exhibits have been collected in the Dominion and shipped to London for this exhibition. Leading producers, merchants, and manufacturers in were approached by this Department, and the efforts put forth resulted in very satisfactory exhibits being shipped to London by the s.s. " Athenic," " Kumara," " Corinthic," " Kia Ora," " Paparoa," and " Tokomaru." The consignments forwarded were made up as follows : — Collected by Department of Agriculture . . .. .. Grain, oats, peas, beans, oat-sheaves, apples, honey. preserved fruits, potatoes, hemp, tow, butter, cheese, poultry, wine, frozen rabbits and hares. wool fleeces, vegetables, and literature. Mines Department . . .. . . .. Minerals, ores, and coal from the State mines. Public Works Department .. .. .. Comprehensive exhibit of New Zealand timbers. Department of Tourist, and Health Resorts .. Maori carvitigs, sporting trophies, kauri-gum. mineral waters and mineral mud, agricultural photographs and literature. Department of Industries and Commerce .. Hops, literature, photographs. Private exhibits which were shipped and handled by this Department consisted of the following :— Consignors. Exhibit. Wanganui Meat Company (Limited). (Wanganui) . . . . Tinned meats. Gisborne Sheep-fanners Meat Company (Limited), (Gisborne) Gear Meat Company (Limited), (Wellington) .. .. ~ Hay ward, H. J. (Dannevirke) .. .. .. .. Inlaid tables. Colonial Sugar Company (Limited), (Auckland) .. .. Sugar. 8. Kirkpatrick and Co. (Limited), (Nelson) . . . . Jams, preserved fruits. Mosgiel Woollen Company (Limited). (Mosgiel) .. .. Rugs. Donaghy's Rope Company (Limited), (Dunedin) .. .. Rope and twine. Maddren and Co. (Chiistchurch) .. .. .. Rope. Donne, T. E. .. .. .. .. .. Deer heads. Trapnell and Co. (Bright water) .. . . .. . . Flour. Timaru Milling Company (Limited), (Timaru) .. .. Flour. Dalgety and Co. (Limited), (Dunedin) .. .. .. Wool fleeces. Darlington Grain-show, Yorkshire, England. During the year opportunity was taken by the High Commissioner to make suitable displays of the Dominion's products at minor exhibitions held in the United Kingdom. At the annual show promoted by the Chamber of Agriculture, Darlington, Yorkshire, an exhibit of New Zealand wheat, oats, barley, peas, beans, and various seeds, also photographs of agricultural life in the Dominion, were made, and suitable literature was also provided for distribution. The show was well attended by agriculturists and others, and the New Zealand exhibit attracted a great deal of attention, and numerous inquiries from farmers were also received. The following is an extract from the Darlington Times of the 6th March, 1909 : — ''■" " The interest of the show was considerably enhanced by an exhibition of colonial grain and other products. A stand which attracted much attention was that of New Zealand, on which were very fine samples of wheat, oats, barley, peas, beans, and various seeds grown in that colony. There were also interesting photographs of scenes in agricultural life." Annual Colonial Fruit-show op the Royal Hoktioultural Society. This show was held in London on the I lth and 12th June, 1908, and a splendid lot of New Zealand apples and pears was shown. The Government Pomologist, referring to this exhibit prior to its leaving i In , Dominion, said. "In quality you cannot beat it in any part of the world. We have had a dry season,

Inlaid tables.