Eight canaries, bred by Mr. Haydon during the past year, received a prize, and were highly commended. The attention of the Committee was particularly at tracted by the very interesting and valuable collection of New Zealand woods belonging to the Auckland Museum, and exhibited by Mr. Dickson, the present custodian. These specimens embrace between thirty and forty varieties of woods, and have been tastefully arranged in a book form with the outsides and back polished, — the insides being simply planed smooth. Eecesses in the inside of each contained a specimen of the bark, leaf, and flower, with — so far as has been possible — a sketch drawing of the respective trees by Mr. Heaphy. This valuable collection was commenced by Mr. J. A. Smith, and is being con tinued by Mr. Dickson. The Committee particularly noticed a model of a Church, of a character suitable to a rustic neighbour hood, executed by Mr. "Wrigley, architect, lately arrived in Auckland. Miss Baylis exhited a pair of bracelets of polished peach stones. A basket of leather work, by Mr. Mans ford; as well as alum baskets by Miss Williams and Mrs. Kingdon were of elegant shape ; — most graceful ornaments, also, were the bead " amples" or pendant baskets, tastefully arranged with creeping plants and flowers, and suspended in the building I,'1 ,' they forma most elegant and graceful ornament, and are well suited for exhibitions of flowers. The paper flowers of Mr. and Mrs. Mansford were particularly attractive — the most delicate colors were imitated with perfect success, and nothing could sur pass the exactness and skill with which the dahlias and ranunculus were imitated. The Committee deemed that although the gross amount of articles exhibited was small, there was a very decided improvement in specimens. In floricul ture especially many rare and very beautiful plants have been introduced into the Province, and the growth and healthiness of the specimens evinces the suitability of the soil and climate for thair culture.
