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was made—that a society should be organised somewhat on the model of the British Association, for the advancement of science, for the purpose of securing communication, and promoting discussion on subjects of general and scientific interest, and that the first meeting should be held in Dunedin during the time that the Exhibition was open.

I stated that I hardly considered that it would be fair to ask the Commissioners to undertake the organisation of such a society; but that I had no doubt that if such a society were to apply to the Commissioners for assistance in making the arrangements for holding the meetings, they might rely on their co-operation.

In conversation with His Excellency the Governor, I gathered that he expected to open the Exhibition in person, and that he looked forward with great pleasure to the prospect of visiting the Southern Provinces. I would therefore suggest that the Commissioners, as soon as they can look forward with some degree of certainty to the opening of the Exhibition, should communicate with His Excellency on the subject.

With regard to the Guarantee Agreement, from the inquiries I made, I have no doubt that after a statement of the financial prospects of the Commissioners has been made public, and it has been explained that the nature of the guarantee is a means of relieving the Commissioners personally from the effect of any unforeseen contingency, and that the moneys required will in the first place be derived from receipts, &c., and further, as a means of securing the assent of the General Assembly to the liquidation of any debt that may be incurred by assuring it of a practical interest taken by the public in the enterprise, there will be then no difficulty in obtaining signatures to it from all the different Provinces.

With regard to the subject of the essays, which are referred to me, I have now communicated personally with the different writers whose names are proposed, and can report that the matter is progressing most satisfactorily. The original intention of having several essays to illustrate the history of New Zealand was found impracticable...

...that I was asked to arrange myself the offer of Mr. F. D. Bell to treat that whole subject in a condensed form in one essay. On the subject of the “Native Races” we may expect a most interesting essay from Dr. Shortland, the present Chief Native Commissioner, and author of several works on the subject.

The subject of the meteorology is still vacant, as Dr. Knight’s time is too fully occupied to allow of his undertaking it. He has, however, promised to provide all the information which he possesses to whoever undertakes the task.

The most important subject of the analysis of the vital statistics of New Zealand has been undertaken by Dr. Hocken, and the gold mining statistics by Mr. Pyke. The geology and mineralogy will be dealt with in three essays by Mr. Cox, Crawford, Dr. Haast, and myself; but to avoid confusion of colors and nomenclature, I propose, with these gentlemen’s consent, to combine the information in one small scale geological map of the whole of New Zealand, to be referred to as the joint work of the three authors. A short account of the copper and other mines in New Zealand will be contributed by Mr. T. R. Hackett. Mr. Ludlam, of Wellington, has undertaken to write an account of his experiments in horticulture, to give his experience of what introduced plants thrive best, and to suggest what shall be introduced for gardens, &c.

The essays will be written in such a manner as to show the state of our knowledge on these various subjects, so as to serve as an introduction and guide to the Juries’ Reports. The whole will form a volume of from 500 to 800 pages, and if the funds will admit of it, several of the authors are desirous of illustrating the essays freely with woodcuts or lithographs. The time I have suggested for the transmission of the MSS. is the end of October, but the required plans, sections, and maps, and many of the proposed illustrative sketches are to be put into the hands of workmen without delay.

In conclusion, it gives me much pleasure to record my thanks for the extreme courtesy and hospitality with which I was everywhere received, and to acknowledge with thanks the great assistance which I derived from the advice and documents which were placed at my disposal from the office.

... I have, &c.,

JAMES HECTOR, M.D,
Alfred Eccles, Esq.,
Hon. Secretary.

Printed under the authority of the Government of the Province of Hawke’s Bay, by James Wood,
Printer for the time being to such Government.