H.—l4

1910. NE W ZE A L ASD,

THE BICKERTON FUND (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Return to an Older of the House of Representatives dated the 7th July, 1910. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House all the correspondence that has passed between members of the Government and persons either in this Dominion or resident in otber countries with referenoe to the Biokeiton Fund."—(Mr. Massey.)

COREESPONDENCE.

[Note. —In order to make this correspondence more complete, some letters of later date than 7th July, 1910 (date of order for return), have been included.]

Sir, — The Bickerton Association, Trades Hall, Christchurch, 17th February, 1910. The above recently formed association, at a meeting' held on Wednesday, the 16th instant, passed the following resolution: " That we urge upon the Government the desirability of granting I'rofessor Bickerton a sum of money sufficient to pay all necessary expenses for a trip home, in order tiiat lie may have the opportunity of bringing before the scientific world his theory of partial impact. 1 may add for your information that the above association is founded by most of the. leaders of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, and we are desirous of doing all we possibly can to assist the professor in his attempt to popularize and prove his theory, believing that it will materially add to the sum total of knowledge so necessary to a. fuller understanding of the problem of life. We therefore with every confidence bring this under your notice, believing that it would probably help to remove obstacles from the path, and materially assist the professor when submitting his theory to the scientific world, if it receives the assistance so desirable in the name of the Government of New Zealand. ' Trusting to have your favourable assurance on this important matter, I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. R. J. Ecroyd, Secretary.

Dear Sir, — Prima Minister's Office, Wellington, 24th March, 1910. I am in receipt of your letter of the 17th February forwarding copy of resolution passed by your association urging that Government grant financial assistance to Professor Bickerton to enable him to visit England to bring before the scientific world his theory of partial impact. In reply, I have to say that the Government will grant a subsidy of £1 for £1 up to £300 towards the object in question. Yours, &c, J. G. Ward. R. J. Ecroyd, Esq., Secretary, " The Bickerton Association," Trades Hall, Christchurch.

Dear Sir, Post-office, Barcaldine, Queensland, 25th April, 1910. In a private letter from New Zealand I learn your Government are subsidizing public subscriptions to the extent of £1 for £1 to send Professor A. W. Bickerton to England in connection with his cosmic theories. As one much interested, I desire to heartily congratulate you and your colleagues on your actions. Whatever the result may be, lam certain (in the interest of education) you will never regret your action.