CHRISTMAS ANNUALS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1274, 1 November 1911, Page 6

CHRISTMAS ANNUALS.

—. j . "THE PIiBSS" AND "OTAGO WITNESS." The advent of Christmas in the inky way is announced by tho arrival of somo of tho Christmas numbers of the weekly papers published in tho Dominion. Tho "Witness" annual is a very artistic production, which deals pictorially with the foonic wonders of Ota™. Nearly onehalf tho paper is devoted to an account of the new tourist route between Lakes Wakatiou and To Auau. Tho scenery which the route takes in is really magnificent, as tho delightful illustrations testify. There are views of lakes new to us—R«rc Lake (at the head of Wakatipu), Lake Fergus, and Lake Gunn, both ot which arc highly picturesque tarns in the Eglinton Valley, in the heart of the mouutains—a new scenic paradise. "Tho Southern Alps" aro interestingly dealt with in an article by N. P. Hawkins, to which the accompanying illustrations lend value. There are also excellent views of the Wanganui River, the Ocean Boach at Dunedin, and the Wairua Falls (Auckland). The sheet insets in the "AVitness" Christmas unnnal consist of a fine view of Lake Ada, and a picture of a tukahe (notornis Hoeiistotteri), the hermit bird of tho south-west of New Zealand.

Tlie Christenurch "Weekly Press" has for many years now devoted much attention to its Christmas number, and the advance copy to hand shows tho fine dogroo of perfection achieved to-day. The most artistic taste has been displayed in tho choice of tho photograph's, selected as illustrations, and (he quality of the process work is just as good, probably, as could be produced anywhere in the world. The "Press" makes variety of subjects a feature of its production. The colour-printing procoss is used with excellent ellect hero and there. There is not too much of it, and the restraint shown serves to emphasise the charming effects which can be obtained by llio judicious use of tints. 'l'hb arrangement of the photographs, the decorativo designs employed in the borders, ami in tho blending of pictures with letterpress all rellect a high degree of artistic taste. Among tho illustrations are views of tho Otira Gorge, the kauri fore6ts of the north, the Stratford-Ongaruc line, tho Wairakci Geysers, and Wellington Harbour. The.ro are pages of beautiful babv and child studies, "A Pago for Children ,, (bird and animal studies), and a fine double page of line illustrations entitled "Some Sports and Pastimes of New Zealand."