DISPLAY AT LIBRARY

Evening Star, Issue 21752, 21 June 1934, Page 12

DISPLAY AT LIBRARY

NEW ZEALAND SECTION RARE WORKS EXHIBITED The attention of visitors to the Public Library is attracted invariably by the fine collection of works in the New Zealand section of the reference department, and the holding of an exhibition which is,,to extend for a month will' afford the public an excellent opportunity of appraising for itself the valuable' work that is being done in this department. The acting chief librarian ([Mr E. H. M'Cormick) recently gave a talk to the Civic Circle of the Otago Women’s Club on New Zealand literature, and this was followed by a visit to the library, where an exhibition was arranged in the New Zealand section, the displaynow being open for inspection by the public. The New Zealand section comprises the M‘Nab collection, as well as many other works that belonged to the library before the late Dr Robert M‘Nab made his presentation or which have been added since. •' . A visit of inspection to the New Zealand display shows that the collection has been kept right up to date, and some valuable and rare works are exhibited, including Dr M'Nab’s historical records and pamphlets and a first edition of his 4 Murihiku,’ a history of the South Island and adjacent islands, published in 1909. Of outstanding interest is The First Description of New Zealand After Cook,’ two editions of which were published in 1807. This valuable book w-as written by John Savage, and the library is fortunate in possessing the original green tiki edition and the edition. John Savage visited New, Zealand as surgeon of a convict ship in 1805, and brought Mayhanger back to England, Mayhanger being the first Now Zealander to visit England. . After a few weeks’ stay he’ returned with Captain Skelton, of the whaler Ferret. A copy of the first Maori grammar, bv Rev. Lee and Thomas Kendall, published in 1820. is of interest. .Kendall was one of the ablest of Samuel Marsden’s early lieutenants, and was the grandfather of the Australian poet. There is on display,a first edition (published in 1873) of ‘ History of the Birds of New Zealand.’ by Sir Walter Lawry Buller. and a facsimile of Tasman's journal called ‘ Abel Janszoon Tasman’s Journal,’ translated by J. E. Heeres, professor of the Dutch Colonial Institute, iu 1898. This is a history of the discovery of Van Diemen’s Land and New Zealand in 1642. and Professor Heeres added an account of the life of Tasman. In the display is ' also a .facsimile of the Treaty of Waitangi and ‘ The New Zealander,’ by George T. Angus, who was one oi the early Englishmen to visit New Zealand, and whose bool? was published in 1847. There are other similar works by Englishmen, many of whom seem to have been gifted artistically. The whole collection is welt worth a visit, and enables those who inspect it to realise the host of forgotten gems that are to be found among New Zealand’s early literature.

•• Good heaven?, old man, what's happened? ■ Been in a cai accident?” “ No. dust, been carrying the wife's parcels from a bargain sale.” “ Waiter, have you forgotten me?’’ “ Oh, no, sir; you are the stuffed calf's head.”-