where some thousand diggers are at work. This not only will hasten the development of the Taranaki valley, which has an extent equal to that of the Province, as well as benefiting the whole Colony.

Cardrona, in the Province of Otago, has proved moderately auriferous. The geological formation is similar to that towards the head of the Wakatipu Lake, which, though well prospected, has never attracted a large number of miners. Gold undoubtedly exists in considerable quantities, but from its patchy distribution, the diggings will in many cases cause temporary disappointment.

As far as I can judge, the same formation extends to the southward, and is continuous with the Buller Goldfields, and from the fact that the gold has been procured at several points on the west coast of Canterbury, I have no doubt that this auriferous belt, which is in an upper or newer formation than that of our great goldfields, will be yet traced continuously through the Middle Island; and from specimens and sections I afterwards saw at Wellington and at Coromandel, I am inclined to think that it will be found throughout the length of the North Island also. If this formation expands so as to occupy and form the floor of a large and elevated plateau, towards the source of the Thames Valley, there may be yet discovered extensive alluvial diggings in the North Island, without which no large body of refiners can be induced to work steadily.

Following up the beautiful valley of the Pelorus River, I entered the Province of Nelson, also crossing the Mongatapu Hill, which is the representative of the real "backbone" or axis of elevation of the whole island. It consists of serpentine and allied rocks, identical with those which I had previously observed to occur on the west coast of Otago. The famous Dun-Mountain, which has given rise to so many speculations, is situated on the axis, and lies a few miles to the south of the "Bridle track," by which the mountains is crossed.

The labor expended on this track, and the engineering skill and enterprise displayed in the bridges, which have been constructed across small difficult but romantic gorges, speak highly for the enterprising spirit of the Nelson colonists. The Mongatapu is 2800 feet in height, but the care with which the line of road has been chosen renders the ascent extremely gentle, at least from the east. That to the west is necessarily more abrupt. I allude to this "Bridle Road," as in the cuttings, which have been made in the alternations of slates, serpentine, and trap rocks, one of the most interesting geological sections that I have seen in New Zealand, occurs. There are many spots also where a practical miner would be inclined to turn aside and search for valuable metal ores with some hope of success.

Descending the picturesque valley of the Matat River towards Nelson, the track is for a considerable distance cut into solid limestone rock of the finest quality, alternating with slabs that would be invaluable as paving stones. The same formations are also intersected by the Dun Mountain Railway, so that their production can be conveyed to the shipping for a very small expense. When, through the kindness of the managers of the Dun Mountain Company, I had an opportunity of visiting their mines, I found that they had a kiln for burning lime, on the spot where it is quarried, and at an altitude of 2000 feet, where there was abundance of fuel, so that from the facilities for transport and shipment which they possess, I have no doubt they could derive a fair income.

At Nelson, I found that His Honor the Superintendent, and the members of the Local Committee, took a cordial interest in the success of the Exhibition, and were prepared to do anything in their power to insure the proper representation of the extensive mineral resources of that Province, and which, so far as is at present known, are probably greater (with the single exception of gold) than those of any other Province in New Zealand.

It has, therefore, the greatest possible interest in being properly represented in the New Zealand Exhibition; and, if the labors of the Local Committee succeed in attracting public attention to the mineral riches of the Province, they cannot fail to hasten the development of the Nelson Province, as well as benefiting the whole Colony.

The Local Committee, aided by the Government, are therefore preparing to illustrate by specimens, plans, sections, and sketches, the valuable deposit of coal which exists on the West Coast of the Province, the copper, chrome, iron, gold, plumbago, lead, and other ores, marbles of various tints, splendid rock and mineral specimens from the Dun Mountain, coal from Massacre Bay, limestones, flag, and building stones, roofing slates, and many sources of future prosperity to the Colony.

There is also expected to be a fair show of the woods of the Province; but here, as in all other parts of New Zealand, a fear was expressed that there was not sufficient time to permit of a complete selection, as the collection of good specimens of all the various timbers in the forest could only be effected, without enormous expense, by taking advantage of favorable opportunities as they occurred.

The illustrating of the mining and engineering works executed, or proposed to be executed, in the Province, will form a most interesting feature in the Exhibition. A large map, of 300 superficial feet, placed on rollers for reference, is, I believe, to be exhibited, also many plans of districts, harbors, roads, bridges (some of which will be illustrated by models). The Dun Mountain Company are to give illustrations of the very interesting work, which they executed in the construction of a tramway for the purpose of bringing down the ore from the mines, which are elevated 2800 feet above the sea, to the shipping port. The small cost and perfect efficiency of the line are well worth the attention of the other Provinces in New Zealand. They will also exhibit some dyes manufactured from the chrome ore. Lastly, there will be a good show of works of art, and especially of pictures illustrative of the romantic scenery of the Nelson Province, by amateurs and professional artists.

From the agricultural district of the Wairau Plains there will be a good exhibition of woods and grain, and if the Local Committee are able to carry out the arrangements they have planned, there is every reason to expect that this important Province will be well represented.

In passing from Nelson to Auckland by the West Coast, I was able to spend a few hours in Taranaki. As this beautiful Province is at present reduced to the area of a few miles, where there is only a scattered garrison town virtually in a state of siege, it cannot be expected to take much part in the Exhibition. His Honor the Superintendent has, however, promised that at least there will be samples of the iron sand, which occurs so abundantly on the coast, accompanied, if possible, by a case of articles manufactured from it. There was nothing else which he could suggest as a probable article for exhibition.

At Auckland I was glad to find that although much had not been effected beyond the issuing of advertisements and circulars by the Committee, yet it was intended to enter into the matter with spirit. A New Zealand Exhibition would be truly incomplete if the natural products of the oldest and most highly favored Province were not well represented. His Excellency the Governor takes a warm interest in the matter, and intends to be a very considerable exhibitor of Maori manufactures and curiosities, rare and interesting works connected with the aborigines; and if the Commissioners think it advisable he would be glad to exhibit a selection from a collection of curious MSS. which he is forming.

His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland is fully impressed with the importance which the success or failure of the Exhibition will have upon the development of New Zealand, and is anxious that Auckland should be well represented. In addition to the Auckland Local Committee he has appointed sub-committees in various parts of the Province, and he intends to superintend the collection and exhibition of products from those districts in which he feels a lively interest.

The Secretary of the Auckland Local Com.