3

H.—sa.

With regard to the " prominent notice" you suggest to have inserted in the New South Wales catalogue, I was only informed late last night that the catalogue was going to press immediately, and, as I fully agree with you in the desirability of explaining to the world through that medium the cause of our absence at the Exposition, I waited on Mr. Cunliffe Owen in order to obtain such information as would enable me to state the case accurately. I found, however, ■with the exception of a, few formal notes, from which I send you extracts, the Commissioners knew nothing hero. Under these circumstances,,l have deemed it best to ask you, who have the fullest knowledge of all the circumstances, to draw up the article for publication in the catalogue. Professor Liversedge, who is in charge of the catalogue, is now in London. His address is "Saville Club, Savillc Row." Should the time not permit you to prepare the notice, I think were the despatch from the New Zealand Government to the Secretary for the Colonies withdrawing from the Exposition simply inserted the object might be obtained. I wrote hurriedly to Professor Liversedge last night on the subject, so that he will, at all events, have left space for us. Thanking you again for the kind assistance you have already so courteously rendered me, I have, &c, The Agent General for New Zealand. Purvis Russell. P.S. —I shall be in London about the 20th of next month, when I shall do myself the pleasure of returning the official documents.

Extract letter Hon. R. H. Meade to P. Cunliffe Owen, Esq. Downing Street, 28th December, 1877. I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to acquaint you that the Government of New Zealand have found it impossible to make arrangements for the representation of the colony at the Paris Exhibition.

Extract letter H.lt.H. the Puinck of Wales to the Secretary for the Colonies. Marlborough House, 31st December, 1877. Learning that New Zealand withdraws as a colony, but that New South Wales is prepared to take charge of such private contributions as may be sent from New Zealand, I have no objection to the allotment to New South Wales of the block at present assigned to New Zealand.

Enclosure 4 in No. 1. The Agekt-Genebal to Mr. P. Russell. Dear Mr. Russell— 31st May, 1878. I have drawn up the paragraph enclosed, and, after it was approved by Mr. Larnach, I sent it to Professor Liversedge, who has undertaken to procure its insertion in his catalogue. We have a set of photographs, taken by the Government Photographer, of views all over New Zealand, about one hundred and twenty in number. Eacli is mounted separately on cardboard, size about 22 inches by 18 inches. Mr. Larnacli thinks you might be able "to exhibit them on the walls, or, if not, might be able in some other way to exhibit them. If you think you can, I will forward them to you. Please let me know. I shall be glad to see you "when you come to London. Yours sincerely, Purvis Russell, Esq. Julius Vooel.

Enclosure 5, in No. 1. Mr. P. Eussell to the Agent-Genebai. Offices of the Royal British Commission, 40, Avenue de Suffren, Paris, Dear Sir Julius— June 1, 1878. I have just received yours of yesterday, but without any enclosures. This is unimportant, however, as I am quite sure that you have done all you could to explain to the public our unfortunate absence at the Exposition. I have just seen Mr. Joubert, the New South Wales Secretary, and find there will be no difficulty in hanging the photographs ornamentally. I shall be very glad to have them at once. Send them in the same way you forwarded the other private exhibits. Mr. Douglas McLean's exhibits, especially the native wood carvings, attract great notice. They were the only things the Prince of Wales asked about on his visit to the New South Wales Court. The public generally take the greatest interest in the colonies, and there are earnest inquiries after the absent one,