^remark applies now. Specimens of changkols and 
other agricultural implements might be shown for 
the information of manufacturers. Further examination 
of the catalogue v/ill probably reveal other omissions. 
11 . The attached letter from the hon. Sec. and 
Director of the Institute indicates the points on 
which Sir,?. Abel considers the collection stands in 
* 
need of improvement. Some of these have already 
■ been toucher! upon. No great expense would be 
| ( 
involved in carrying out most of these recommendation^' 
nor would it add greatly to the cost to revise and 
reprint the Catalogue and to correct the labels on the 
specimens where necessary. yt seems hardly necessary 
to make so much of the exhibit of padi as it is very 
unlikely that the Straits Settlements will have 
any rice to export for a long time to come. Some of 
4 
the space, therefore, taken up by the specimens Oi 
padi might be utilised for the display of samples 
of products of present commercial value. 
12. It is, however, for the Government to 
decide how far it is prepared to go in extending and 
improving the collection and it must be pointed out 
that general interest in the Institute seems to be 
slight. I made four visits to the Institute and 
there were not half a dozen visitors to the collection^ 
on any one day during the time I was there. !:or 
does it appear to be used much by merchants. Sou.h 
Kensington is far from the City and most of the 
. information afforded at the Institute can be gleaned 
from books o' reference. I Inquired at the Institute 
how many enquiries had been received in the 
Commercial 
