IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, 
Imperial Institute Roart, 
# 
London, S.W. 
1st February, 1901. 
Dear Sir, 
I regret that I was prevented from seeing 
you on your recent visit here, but | shall be pleased 
to see you if you are able to make an appointment 
some morning. With regard to the number of en¬ 
quiries received in the Commercial Intelligence 
Department relating to the Straits Settlements, I 
have to inform you that the number is at present 
small. Some enquiries have been received from 
time to time from persons about to proceed to the 
Colony, as to the climate, cost of living, &c., and 
questions relating to products are asked by visitors. 
Enquiries have also been received on the subject 
of rhea fibre and its cultivation in the Straits 
Settlements; and for the names of merchants 
exporting the various products of the country, about 
tin-mining; &c. 
With regard to the Straits Settlements 
Court of the Institute continual care is bestowed 
upon the collections there, and the general condition 
of the samples of products is good considering they 
are now seven or eight years old. The preserved 
fruits, tea, tapioca, are those which chiefly require 
replacing 
