Sessional_Paper_1884-1885 — Page 108

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No. 1.

The Secretary to the Royal Commission will be prepared to act on behalf of any Colony which may not find it convenient to appoint an independent Commissioner.

An exact date cannot be fixed at this early period, but the Exhibition will probably be opened during the first fortnight in May, 1886. With the ample time which is being given to all those con cerned, it is sincerely to be hoped that the work of installation may be complete at least a fortnight previous to the date of opening.

As the object of this Exhibition is to represent the progress and the development of each Colony, it has been considered impracticable to call upon the Colonial Governments to comply with any form of Classification, as has been the custom at previous Exhibitions. Each Colony is, therefore, at liberty to make a Classification most suitable to its own requirements.

In furtherance of this idea, His Royal Highness trusts that each Government will take an early opportunity of preparing a Catalogue of the objects intended for exhibition, which it is requested, may, closure for the sake of uniformity, be modelled somewhat on the principle of the enclosed specimen, more especially as regards size of page and style of type. It would considerably facilitate this object if each Government were to have its Catalogue printed in London, by Messrs. William Clowes & Sons, Limited, the Official Printers and Publishers to the Exhibition. Each Government will be at liberty to sell its own Catalogue, through the Official Publishers to the Exhibition; but it is necessary that the Royal Commission should receive, as soon as practicable, a digest of the Catalogue of each Colony in order that it may be embodied in a General Catalogue of the whole Exhibition, which will be published by the Commission.

Inclosure No. 2.

Many points of interest will doubtless present themselves to the various Colonies; but His Royal Highness especially desires that careful statistics of each Colony, carrying the information to 1885, should be prepared in a clear and readable form so as to render this valuable information easily understood by the working classes of this country. Maps specially prepared for the information of the public, should also, as far as possible, be prominently shown in the various Courts. It is hoped that these statistics, as well as the maps on a reduced scale, will be largely made use of in the Catalogues.

Much interest is taken in this country in the Woods of the various Colonies, and His Royal Highness would be glad to find that, where Cases are required for the display of goods, these Cases should be made from the native Woods of the Colony, in order that a complete representation of the Woods of the British Empire may be practically shown.

With reference to the building Stones and Marbles of the Colonies, it is suggested that they should be sent over in the form of Pedestals, executed in accordance with the appended sketch to scale; and thereby adding uniformity, and rendering the specimens of commercial value.

As it is possible that the various Colonial Gevernments participating in the Exhibition may desire, as its outcome, that a permanent Colonial Museum should be founded in London, it has been suggested that strong reasons exist for showing the adaptability of its products, generally, in as practical a manner as possible; hence it is desirable that the Raw Product should be displayed in connection with the Manufactured Article.

It has been decided that Commemorative Medals should be given to all those taking part in the Exhibition; and it is hoped to have the assistance of specialists of known repute who will commence to make, at the opening of the Exhibition, exhaustive Reports on the Resources of the various Colonies as represented in the Exhibition. These Reports, issued at an early stage, will take the place of the Jury systems of previous Exhibitions.

Before closing this Memorandum, reference may briefly be made to special features which His Royal Highness has in view for the general advantage of the Exhibiting Governments.

It is intended to form a Library and Reading Room, where all Literature relating to the Colonies and India, that it may be possible to collect, may be at hand for reference. Not only will contributions be asked for from the Colonial Governments, but also from Home publishers.

Special arrangements will be provided for the practical illustration, in one special kitchen, of all the Colonial Frozen Meat Industries, and of the Colonial Preserved Meats, Fish and Vegetables. This department will be carried out by the Royal Commission itself, in order that the due participation of the various interests concerned may be maintained.

There will also be a Colonial Fruit and Vegetable Market, which it is hoped that each Government will make arrangements to supply by monthly shipments. This department will also be under the control of the Royal Commission.

An exhibition of Colonial Wines will be organized by the Royal Commission.

A limited space will also be set apart for the exhibition of Living Animals from the Colonies. In assuming the control of these various departments, the Royal Commission wishes to afford to the actual Producers the advantages of a fair display in the Exhibition. The Importers will, no doubt, hereafter benefit, but the interests of the Producers, as Exhibitors, are of the first consideration; and it may be here mentioned that in these departments, as well as generally throughout the Exhibition, only bond fide Colonists can, through their respective Governments, participate in the Exhibition. It will not, therefore, be possible for the Royal Commission to entertain any applications, upon any pretence whatever, from Colonial Importers or Agents in this Country.

BY ORDER.