“EARLY HISTORY OF NEW ZEALAND.”

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 461, 9 April 1890, Page 5

“EARLY HISTORY OF NEW ZEALAND.”

The “Early History of New Zealand” being very favourably reviewed by the press. The Hawke’s Bay “Herald,” the course of a long notice, says:— “Under the above title Mr H. Brett, of Auckland, is issuing by far the most pretentious work ever attempted by any New Zealand publisher. But if the prospectus promises great things, the book itself gives greater. It is not yet quite complete, buc sufficient has been done to I show the large scope of the work, and the practical merit of its execution, viewed both from a literary and artistic standpoint. When complete the work will be in four parts, or they can all bo bound together, forming a handsome volume of about 800 large pages. From beginning to end the volume is profusely illustrated, and while fault can be found with few of the engravings, the highest praise is due to the great majority. Some of the larger woodcuts have, indeed, all the delicacy, softness, and depth of tone of steel engravings. Most of the portaits of which there are a great many of the early settleis and missionaries are done by a * process method resembling photography. Though New Zealand has just celebrated her jubilee, her real history goes back much further than that. It is believed by many that de Gonneville visited these islands in 1504, but the first authentic discovery was by Tasman, who was followed by Cook. Copious extracts are given from the diaries of these adventurous mariuers, and many illustrations from sketches made by members of the early explorers’ parties. “ The second part of the work deals with missionary enterprise in New Zealand, from ihe time when the devoted Marsden first conceived the idea of a mission, to be carried out in 1814. Among the portraits is one of the Rev. W. Colenso. This part of the volume is, to our thinking, even more fascinating than the first, the editor having levied toll on many sources of information, and dine his work of compilation with great care and judgment. A curious chapter is that which deals with the trade-at one time extensive—in baked Maori heads. It was found that when the supply ran short the natives killed each other to supply the market, and one European collecror of heads lost Ids own, which was preserved and sold. We congratulate the editor, publisher, and all concerned in bringing out such an eminently readable and artistic volume.”

The “ Napier Telegraph ” observes : “The book is admirably illustrated, and contains many excellent portraits of the Christian soldiers who laid the foundations of this colony. The portraits of the late Bishop of Waiapu, the present Bishop of Wellington, the Revs. W. Colenso, J. Hamlin, and many others, are speaking likenesses, and serve to testify to the truthfulness of all the other illustrations. The chronicles of the early history of New Zealand that in this work are recorded have been gathered before the stories they relate have been forgotten, and while many who took part in them are still amongst the living. No library will be complete without this history.”