Government, who may undertake the duty of forming a collection for the International Exhibition in 1862.

In the first place, it would facilitate the arrangements here if the appointment of the Commission or Central Authority referred to in the "Decisions" were to take place at as early a period as practicable.

Your Excellency will have remarked, that no article will be admitted from the Colonies without the sanction of such Commission or Central Authority, and it is important that Her Majesty’s Commissioners should know with whom they can officially correspond. Upon this point I am instructed further to observe, that it is highly desirable, in the interests of the Colonies, that whoever may be nominated as Agent in this country, should be a man of business, well acquainted with the resources of the Colony he represents.

The lists of articles admissible are so ample as to include every kind of produce, raw or manufactured, with only the three specified exceptions. With regard to one of these, viz., "fresh vegetables and animal substances liable to spoil by keeping," it seems desirable to explain that the term "fresh" is to be literally interpreted; therefore articles of export, in whatever manner prepared, so as to keep without undergoing change, will be admissible.

Produce such as Wine, or other articles the result of fermentation, now admissible, although excluded from the Exhibition of 1851, will be submitted to the judgment of a Special Jury, who will decide upon their respective merits.

In the article of Timber, the specimens should in all cases be converted into plank or scantling, of such a size as to show its mercantile value. If possible they should be four inches thick, and cut so as to show the "sap" on both edges. Moreover, since there is great uncertainty as to the origin of much Colonial Timber, it will be very desirable that each kind of timber should be accompanied by a few twigs showing its leaves and flowers, when procurable. If the latter are pressed between sheets of paper enclosed in boards, they will furnish the evidence required.

Each Colony will have a separate space assigned to it in which to exhibit its products, distinct from that of other Colonies. It is, however, the wish of Her Majesty’s Commissioners also to classify Colonial Raw Produce, bringing all Textile Materials, all Minerals, and so on, into one general comparative view; and they therefore invite Exhibitors to furnish, when practicable, duplicate specimens for that purpose.

Her Majesty’s Commissioners, not having as yet information as to the number, size, and kind of articles which it is intended to exhibit, are unable at present to assign any fixed amount of space to each Colony; but they will be prepared to act with the greatest possible liberality in this respect.

In estimating the probable area which the objects of exhibition may be expected to occupy, it is wished that each Colony should mention the superficial area in square feet that its contributions will actually cover; and if wall surface should also be required, then the height and width of the articles for which such space is needed must also be specified. The large number of Colonies to be provided for renders the earliest possible information upon this subject indispensable.

Her Majesty’s Commissioners desire me to add, that they trust your Excellency will cause the particular attention of intending Exhibitors to be drawn to that paragraph in the "Decisions" in which it is announced that the latest period at which goods can be received is March 31, 1862.

Her Majesty’s Commissioners have appointed Dr. Lindley to assist the various Colonial Committees, if they require any advice from England.

I have, &c.,

F. R. SANDFORD,
Secretary.

His Excellency
Col. T. Gore Browne, C. B.,
&c., &c., &c.

DECISIONS OF HER MAJESTY’S COMMISSIONERS ON POINTS RELATING TO THE EXHIBITION.

MARCH, 1861.

Her Majesty’s Commissioners have fixed upon Thursday, the 1st day of May, 1862, for opening the Exhibition.

The Exhibition Building will be erected on a site adjoining the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, and in the immediate neighbourhood of the ground occupied in 1851, on the occasion of the first International Exhibition.

The portion of the building to be devoted to the Exhibition of Pictures