H.—6,

1881. NEW ZEALAND.

ASHBURTON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION (REPORT ON THE).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

NO. 1. The Hon. the Colonial Skceetaey to Mr. E. Wakefield, M.H.E. Sib,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd March, 1881. I have the honor to inform you that a letter has been received by the Honorary Secretary to the Managing Committee of the Exhibition proposed to be held at Ashburton, on the 17th, 18th, and 19th instant, requesting that a member of the Koyal Commission may be appointed in order to report thereon Although the Commission, of which you were chairman last year, may be considered to have lapsed, the Government would be much obliged to you if you would be good enough to attend at the proposed Ashburton Exhibition, and report upon the proceedings and exhibits in the same manner as you did at Christchurch. I have, &c, Edward Wakefield, Esq., M.H.E., Timaru. Thomas Dick.

No. 2. Mr. E. Wakefield, M.H.E., to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sin,— Timaru, 10th March, 1881. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 291, of the 3rd instant, inviting me to attend the Exhibition of Local Industries at Ashburton, and to report thereon. I have the honor to state that I shall be happy to comply with your request. I have placed myself in communication with the Exhibition Committee, and I will proceed to Ashburton on the morning of the 24th instant. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Edwaed Wakefield.

No. 3. Me. E. Wakefield, M.H.E., to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey S IE> _ Timaru, 30th March, 1881. I have the honor to report that I attended the Ashburton Exhibition of Local Industries, which was opened by His Excellency the Governor on the 24th instant, and spent some days in examining the exhibits and ascertaining various particulars regarding them. As an effort to arouse public interest in the productions of the colony, the Exhibition was eminently successful, all the available space being fully occupied, and the attendance being such as to amply repay the promoters and exhibitors for their time, trouble, and expense. The service rendered to the colony by those who originate and conduct the laborious management of demonstrations of this kind cannot easily be too highly valued. The spirit of inquiry into the question of increasing the number and extent of the productions of the country, as a means of affording new outlets for capital :and new employments for the people, is a matter of large public importance; and those who devote their energies to stimulating it cannot but be regarded as public benefactors. The Government will, I am sure, be pleased to learn that the Ashburton Exhibition abundantly answered the true purpose for which it was instituted, that, namely, of attracting the intelligent attention of all classes to the materials for industrial occupation that lie around them, and instructing them, as far as means would allow, in the methods of utilizing those materials. I beg now to furnish you with my notes on the principal exhibits which appeared to me to have an economic value.

I—H. 6.