The Exhibition Commissioners have received a letter from the Colonial Secretary enclosing further correspondence from Sir F. D. Bell, Agent-General, on the subject of pictures for the exhibition. Sir P. D. Bell in his letter states that Enrl Onslow intended during the voyage to Australia to write to his own friends asking them to lend pictures as soon as the Agent general was in a position to give them the requi site particulars as to the place where the pictures will be housed and ultimately shown, Sir Francisannouncesthat Mr N. Chevalier,the well known artist, has promised to exhibit one picture bringing the number up to 40 pictures; while Lord Armstrong and Lord Brassey declined to exhibit. Accompanying the Agent-general's letter is one from the Lord Chamberlain's office intimating that her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to accede to the request of the Government of New Zealand for the loan of tho pictures lent to the Melbourne Exhibition. Sir F. D. Bell's reply to this letter is also for warded. In it he requests that his humble duty be laid before the Queen, and offering the most cordial thanks of his Government to her Majesty for her kindness. He informs the Lord Chamber lain of the reasons whiah necessitate the pictures being sent from Melbourne to London, and then re-shipped to Dunedin. The Agent-general signed a guarantee to take the utmost care of the pictures, and return them on or before the 15th May, the New Zealand Government to undertake the payment of nil expenses, includ ing insurance, &b. The pictures which her Majesty has graciously consented to lend are:— From St. James' Palace: "Portrait of the Queen," by Winterhalter, valued at £2000; and "Portrait of the Prince Consort," also by Winterhalter, valued at £2000. From Bucking ham Palace: " The Opening of London Bridge," by Ciarksou Stansfield, R. A., valued at £1000.
