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ing the importance of the question before the necessary foreign authorities, especially before the French public, as France could absorb to the extent of some millions of pounds annually timber of the class we have in abundance. (6.) That the best plan to bring the matter prominently before the Continental public of Europe would be to have a series of comparative experiments, as between New Zealand timber ,and European oak, made at the " Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers," in Paris, under the supervision of eminent foresters; which experiments would have such an importance through their official character as to thoroughly fix at once in the mind of the European manufacturer and buyer the commercial and economic value of the timber, and enable a trade to be established as it were at one bound, which would otherwise take years to achieve. (7.) That, looking at the importance of such experiments to the timber industry, and to the colony at large, they should be arranged with the greatest care, and the Government should be represented by a gentleman possessed of special experience, not only as to the value of New Zealand timbers, but as to their adaptability to the various requirements of the European timber trade. We are of opinion that, if such steps as we have indicated above were taken by the Government, the timber industry would at once receive an enormous development, and in the course of very few years an export trade to Europe of vast importance would have been firmly established The necessity of creating colonial wealth by utilizing the natural resources so lavishly placed at our command needs no comment, and appeals to the common sense of every man who desires to see New Zealand self-supporting and self-reliant. R. Greenfield. Robert Ewing. James Hutchens. John Chew Charles Stewart. John Compton

No. 2. The Hon. the Minister of Lands to Mr. Greenfield. Sir, — General Crown Lands Office, Wellington, 9th June, 1881 At the interview which I had on the Ist instant with yourself and other gentlemen, at which you pressed upon my attention the advantage which would accrue from establishing a trade between France and this country in the native timbers of New Zealand, you stated that, from information you had gathered, you had every reason to believe that if proper steps were taken a permanent trade might be established; and the course that I understood you to advocate involved, amongst other requirements—(l.) The establishment of a depot with a sufficient quantity of New Zealand timber to enable its character to be tested by manufacturers and builders, but principally in the furnishing business ; (2.) The forming of an exhibition of the timber, partly m a manufactured state, and in such form of planks, &c., as would give a good idea of its appearance and several qualities; (3.) The obtaining, through the Forests Department in Paris, a report founded on a series of experiments giving an analysis of the qualities of the timber in respect of strength, durability, and fitness for the requirements of that country -. such report to be published and circulated. For these purposes you pointed out that it would be desirable to appoint an agent who would be accredited to the Government department in France, and who would take such steps as would be likely to bring New Zealand timbers into favourable notice. At the same time you stated that if the Government would appoint such an agent, and provide a sum not exceeding, say, j£soo to cover the expenses I have mentioned, you would be prepared to make such arrangements, at the cost of the gentlemen interested, for sending a cargo of timber to be dealt with in some such manner as I have indicated, and for keeping up a supply hereafter I shall be glad to know whether 1 have rightly apprehended your intentions; and, if so, I shall be prepared to place a sum not exceeding £500 on the estimates, to be expended m such way as may, on full consideration, seem to Government to be best to promote the object in view I have, &c., W RoLLESTON, Robert Greenfield, Esq., Wellington. Minister of Lands. No. 3. Mr. Greenfield to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir,— Wellington, 20th June, 1881 I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 9th June, No. 427-1, in which you intimate that if you have rightly apprehended the intentions of myself and those with whom I am acting, as to the opening of a trade with France in New Zealand timbers, vou will be prepared to place on the estimates a sum of -£500, to be expended in such way as may seem best to the Government for the purpose of assisting to secure a successful introduction of our timbers-'i'nto the French market. "Ill'reply, I beg to confirm what was stated at the interview in your office, that if the Government will thus assist by accrediting a suitable agent, and paying the expenses of his mission to France, and of the necessary experiments and tests by the official departments for the purpose

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