§ MR. CAVENDISH BENTINCKasked the First Commissioner of Works, When he will be prepared to exhibit the plans and model of the proposed Natural History Museum at South Kensington, and whether before the Estimate for the work is proposed; and, when the Instructions and Correspondence relating to the New Natural History Museum, which have been ordered to be laid upon the Table, will be in the hands of Members?
§ MR. AYRTON, in reply, said, the estimate of the expense of the Natural History Museum at South Kensington would be laid on the Table to-morrow. He never contemplated a model of that museum being prepared or exhibited, and he did not think any advantage would result from that course. He was informed by the architect that the plan and drawings would not be ready for some time. He had no doubt the architect would do all he could to accelerate the preparation of them. If the plans and drawings were not ready when the Estimates came on, the estimate for the building must necessarily be proposed in their absence.