NEW ZEALAND BOOKS. FAVOURABLE OPINIONS OF THE SYDNEY PRESS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 243, 25 February 1888, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND BOOKS. FAVOURABLE OPINIONS OF THE SYDNEY PRESS.

Among tho reviews in the "Town and Country Journal '" of February 11th are tho following referring to books lately published at tho Star Oflice :•— A Weird Region. Wo have received a copy of an attractive work on the lakes, ten aces, geysers, and volcanoes ot New Zealand, w Inch Mr Thompson \Y. Leys, of Auckland, luu» described under the appropiiate name of "a weird region." The author has given a good readable account ot the volcanic portion of ~3se\v Zealand. But the .specialty o^ tho publication is the account of the gicat eruption at Taraweia, on June 10, 1886, full details of which aie lepeated. Mr Leys t>een)b to think that, to far from the locality being permanently injuied, the thermal. spi ings? will become mure active, and, lib a samitoiuun, will bo rather benofited than otherwise. A chaptei is devoted to an. account ot tho uondeiful valley of Vai-o-tapu, with it.s pink cauldron and coloured lakes; and sumo curious JMaoii legends and voices are added. There is a pood hiap ; and the book contains a large number of clever eolomed and plain illustrations depicting \ ai ions lemarkable spoU. Mr H. Brett, of the Star ollice, Auckland. is the publisher. Defenders of Ken Zealand. We have to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of a really magnificent book, just published by Mr JJrett, in the Star Otfice, Auckland, New Zealand. It professes to give portraits and shoit biographies of all the officers and men who specially distinguished themselves in the wars with the Maoris. It is, in fact, a history of thewais> themselves, told in a peculiarly graphic manner ; and the way in which Captain T. Wayth Gudgeon, of the Wanganui militia and volunteer?, has executed his task rellects the utmost credit upon him. The portraits are admirable and faultlessly executed ; and, altogether, the woik is an invaluable record of stirring military events. Included in the present \olumc is an account of the war, supposed to be related fiom tho Maoris' point of view. The author is Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell, of the New Zealand militia, who from his thorough acquaintance with the natives and all their opinions, was peculiarly Avell qualified for the task. The stoiy i* well worth reading, as it gives a clear view ot the other side of the question, and shows that, whether or not the English had right on their side, the less chilised race, at any 1 ate, believed that they were fully justified in the whole of their actions. Appended to the histoiical portion of the book aie some very curious tales or legends of the Maoris, which are most interesting in their way. Upon the ■whole, this is one of the finest works which has issued fiom the southern press. In size it is royal Bvo, containing about 650 pages. It is clearly and brightly printed from new type, and is handsomely bound. In every respect it reflects the highest credit upon authors, artists, and publisher, and deserves a place in every library. Messrs W. Dobell and Co. arc the agents for the sale of the work in Sydney. Auckland Star.