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inconvenience is suffered through want of room for carrying on the important duties appertaining to the Geological staff. I think that funds ought to be forthcoming for building a room suitable for a Mining Museum; for lam aware that Dr. Hector has already sufficient specimens of ores and other minerals to occupy a large space when properly arranged; and such a beginning w rould, doubtless, initiate the establishment of a mining school in this -city; and I know of no more central place where such a school would prove so convenient and beneficial in that respect to the interests of New Zealand. I commend the subject to the consideration of honourable gentlemen. Mines Exhibits for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. The circumstance of an Indian and Colonial Exhibition taking place in London during the present year was one, in my opinion, not to be neglected in the interests of the colony. Consequently, with the view of drawing attention to our varied mineral resources, and perhaps encouraging the introduction and investment of capital towards developing them, I had procured from different mining districts as many valuable exhibits as was possible in a limited time, and had them carefully forwarded to London to the care of Dr. Von Haast. Among the specimens sent were blocks of bituminous coal, showing the quality and thickness of the seams from whence it was taken; copper-ore and native copper, antimony, scheelite, auriferous quartz, argentiferous ore, and samples of gold taken from the different mining centres of the colony; and I feel glad to have noticed that some of the London newspapers, in commenting on the several colonial courts at the Exhibition, state that " the New Zealand mines exhibits compare most favourably with those of the other colonies." It has been my wish since assuming office to have our mining laws, and every regulation appertaining to them, consolidated and provisioned in such a manner that one law for the leasing and working of mines other than coal, would obtain throughout the colony. I therefore had prepared during the recess a Consolidated Mining Bill, a Coal-mines Bill, and a Mining Companies Bill. The first refers to mining for all minerals not coal, repeals sixteen other Acts, and promises to be a most useful measure, as its provisions will apply to all parts of the colony, wherever mining is carried on. The second Bill refers to the coal-mining industry, and provides for the leasing and better working of this class of mines. This is the first Bill introduced to the House proposing to deal entirely with the coal-measures of the colony and their management. The third Bill purports to consolidate the several Acts now current relating to mining companies and their management; and, by repealing five other measures, I hope to provide a useful law for the whole colony. If these three Bills become law, they will respectively give greater facilities for mining, by providing for a reduction in the fee for miners' rights and rents of ground held nnder lease; a more simple form of administration, greater security for workmen employed in the mines, and, lastly, imparting more confidence in the minds of shareholders and the public generally who may be desirous of investing money in mining companies, by offering a better means of judging of the true position and affairs of any company or claim. Handbook and Mining Guide. During my occupancy of the office I have the honour to hold in connection with mines, 1 have felt the want of a hand-book that, at a glance, would give to the inquirer every information in respect to mining companies and claims, the mode of working and the class of machinery used in different mining districts, the areas of ground held under mining-leases and special claims, the number of miners practically employed upon each field, and the amount of capital invested in plant and machinery. Following my instructions the Department has been engaged in collecting material necessary for compiling such a work, and, when ready, I propose to issue illustrative maps with it, so that it will afford every possible information in relation to the industry. I cannot pretend that I shall be able to present for information a perfect work or guide, for difficulties have already been encountered in collecting reliable materials on which to frame the book; but, notwithstanding, I hope within a few months to be able to supply a much-needed want. Visits to Mining Centres and Districts. During the recess I was enabled to visit the following mining districts : Tapanui, Waikaia, Maerewhenua, Tuapeka, Roxburgh, Clyde, Cromwell, Wanaka, Jackson's Bay, Haast, Paringa, Bruce Bay, Gillespie's Beach, Okarito, Big Wanganui, Ross, Rimu, Woodstock,