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The number of applications for space received is 371, and adding thereto the exhibits transferred from Sydney to Melbourne, the total entries to date number 525, at least 60 more having yet to be received. The attached tabular statement shows in detail the number of entries in each group received from the various districts of the colony, discriminating the new exhibits from those transferred from the Sydney Exhibition. From this it will be seen that, so far, Auckland contributes 42 exhibits; Thames, 39; Gisborne, 1; Napier, 32; New Plymouth, 5 ; Wanganui, 17 ; Wellington, 89 ; Blenheim, 5 ; Nelson, 35 ; Greymouth, 3 ; Hokitika, 10; Christchurch, 105 ; Timaru, 4 ; Oamaru, 6 ; Dunedin, 123 ; Invercargill, 50 ; and Queenstown, 9. The Secretary, Mr. Callis, left Wellington for Dunedin on the 12th instant, and after attending to some necessary work in Dunedin and Invercargill, proceeded to Melbourne by the following steamer, the " Eotorua," this vessel having on board the first shipment of exhibits, consisting of 84 packages from Auckland, Napier, Thames, and Invercargill. Annexed is copy of a letter of instructions given to the Secretary, also copy of another which reached him prior to his departure from the Bluff. By the steamer "Arawata," which left Wellington on the 26th instant, a large portion of the exhibits from Canterbury and Otago will go forward; but despite much pressing and urging, many exhibits have yet to be forwarded, exhibitors being inclined to take the longest time allowed for their receipt at Melbourne, namely, to the 81st August. An open policy has been taken out in the New Zealand Insurance Company, under which insurance is effected on all shipments of exhibits. On account of the delay in the receipt of the applications for space, it has been impossible to give effect to the resolution passed at the last meeting, by submitting them for formal acceptance. This will, no doubt, lead to some inconvenience and crowding when the exhibits come to be arranged, and probably considerable disappointment to some exhibitors, on account of their exhibits not receiving the prominence they would like ; but for this the exhibitors and local Committees are responsible. No information of the space allotted to New Zealand has yet been received, although I was distinctly promised, when in Melbourne, that the information would be telegraphed to this Commission without any unnecessary delay. It has not been possible, therefore, to prepare any plan of the New Zealand Court. A vote has been taken by the Government for the Melbourne Exhibition of £4,000. From the attached statement of expenditure, it will be seen that the amount expended by the Commission in connection with the Melbourne International Exhibition from Ist March to date, is £466 9s. This includes £202 10s. advances made to local Committees for defrayment of petty disbursements. The liabilities for which the Commission is directly responsible amount to about £150 ; but to this amount will have to be added expenditure incurred by local Committees, for which application has not yet been made. A catalogue, for the purpose of being incorporated with the general official catalogue, is completed, and would have been ready earlier but for the delay in receiving the applications for space. An account of the colony, to form part of an introduction to the official catalogue, has been asked for by the Melbourne Commission, and will be prepared in time to be sent with the catalogue matter, to reach Melbourne on the 16th August. As the space allowed for each entry in the official catalogue is limited to twenty words, a detailed catalogue of the New Zealand Court giving full information of the exhibits is being prepared ; but this will have to be finished in Melbourne. Seven pages in this catalogue has been promised to the Hokitika Committee for a special essay on the resources of Westland. A new and improved edition of the Handbook of New Zealand, originally publisned for the Sydney International Exhibition, has been printed, and will be used for distribution at the Melbourne Exhibition. James Hector, Executive Commissioner.

MELBOUENE INTEENATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1880-81.

THIBD PBOGBESS EEPOET BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMISSION. Sib,— 6th October, 1880. I have the honor to report, for the information of His Excellency the Acting Governor, that the Melbourne International Exhibition was opened on the Ist instant, when, assisted by Mr. Blackwood, Eesident Commissioner, Mr. George McLean, Mr. J. C. Wason, and other New Zealand gentlemen, I received His Excellency the Governor of Victoria on the occasion of his official visit to this Court, and had the pleasure of presenting to His Excellency a complete catalogue of New Zealand exhibits, together with a copy of the Hand-book of New Zealand, prepared for the Melbourne Exhibition. Copies of these publications I have the honor to forward herewith, as also a copy of the official Catalogue of the Exhibition, in which the New Zealand exhibits are more briefly enumerated. The arrangement of the New Zealand Court has occupied five weeks since my arrival in Melbourne, on the 27th of August, and was almost completed on the opening day, and will be wholly so in the course of another week, when I purpose returning to New Zealand. The delivery of goods commenced on the 20th August, and has been continuous ever since, and the procrastination shown by exhibitors has greatly impeded the work of arrangement and organization, and increased the cost. The enclosod extracts from the Melbourne Argus, gives a fair account of the appearance which the Court presents to the public.