Conclusion.

It will, I am sure, be a matter of satisfaction to you to learn that New Zealand produce is daily growing in favour throughout Great Britain, and that the colony is everywhere well spoken of.

While at Edinburgh I had the privilege and pleasure of being invited by the Lord Provost to accompany some members of the Corporation and the officers of the Austrian man-of-war "Don" to inspect the historical scenes of interest of that charming city. Some of the gentlemen forming this party volunteered the information that, as members of a financial institution, they had just accepted a large loan proposal from New Zealand. Moreover, they had for many years sent regular sums of money for investment in mortgage securities, with which they were well satisfied. Notwithstanding their long and varied experience, they had never lost one penny in this colony. Another gentleman expressed the hope that the time was not far distant when greater latitude would be given to trustees in Britain to enable them to invest their funds in New Zealand securities.

With a full appreciation of the honour conferred upon me, and a lively recognition of the important work intrusted to my care, I entered on my official duties in a spirit of zeal and earnestness to enable me to place before you the very fullest information from every reliable source obtainable. While pursuing my investigations I had ever before me the respon page 21 sibility of being in the service of 750,000 people, and I venture to hope that the Government of the country will recognise that I have contributed something towards the development and extension of the commerce and resources of this great and growing colony.