IMPERIAL INSTITUTE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE COLONIES 
AND INDIA. 
Offices, i, Adam Street, Adelphi, 
London , W. C., j/st October , 1890. 
Sir, —I have the honour to recall to your Excellency's attention the scheme of the 
Governing Body of the Imperial Institute for the preparation of commercial collections, 
and the provision of sample-stores of economic and industrial products, particulars 
of which were furnished by Sir Somers Vine, the Assistant Secretary, on the 
occasion of his visit to your Colony in February, 1889. 
Under separate cover, I transmit for your Excellency’s inspection, and for the 
guidance of those to whom may be entrusted the formation of the collections, copies 
of the Memorandum giving the proposals of the Governing Body with regard to these, 
and also a copy of volumes I and II of the “Dictionary of Economic Products” 
published by the Revenue and Agricultural Department of India, illustrating the 
system on which the Indian Collections for the Institute are to be arranged, and which 
it is proposed to follow, generally. I would at the same time beg leave to suggest 
that, in forwarding these to the particular Body or Officials who will have to deal 
with the preparation of the collections, it would be very desirable that your Excellency 
should emphasise the desire of the Governing Body of the Imperial Institute that the 
initial collections should not partake of the miscellaneous character hitherto common 
to popular exhibitions of Foreign and Colonial products, but that they should present, 
as strictly as possible, the practical and commercial features indicated in the Memo¬ 
randum above-mentioned. 
I would also point out that, as the space available for the purposes of the sample- 
collections, as distinct from the stores of samples, will be limited, as compared to 
that which was devoted to the late Colonial and Indian Exhibition, it is imperative 
that much discretion should be exercised in the selection of specimens to represent 
constructive materials, ores, coal, &c., with a view to avoid the occupation of unne¬ 
cessary space by them (vide para. 1, page 2, of “ Memorandum respecting Commer¬ 
cial Collections ”). 
In conclusion I have to state that unavoidable interruptions, which have several 
times occurred in connection with the building, render it out of the question, that the 
formal opening of the Institute should take place before the spring of 1892. It will 
be desirable, however, that the sample collections representative of the several Colonies 
should be delivered by the summer of next year. 
Details respecting the space available for the display of these collections will be 
furnished as soon as possible. 
I have, &c , 
The Governor of the Straits Settlements, 
Government House, 
Singapore. 
F. A. ABEL, 
Organising Secretary . 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE COLONIES, 
AND INDIA. 
Imperial Institute Road, London, W. 
MEMORANDUM 
in respect of Commercial Collections and Sample Stores of Economic and 
Industrial Products. 
The Exhibition and Maintenance of Sample Collections of Economic and Indus¬ 
trial Products from each Colony is one of the leading aims of the Imperial Institute. 
