A WORK ON NEW ZEALAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2444, 29 December 1892, Page 4

A WORK ON NEW ZEALAND.

Ab you are doubtless aware, (says the Home correspondent of a contemporary) it is the intention of the great firm of publishers still known only by the Christian name and surname of their founder, the immortal " John Murray," to publish early next year a " Murray's Handbook" of New Zealand. It is being written by Professor F. W. Pennefather, of Adelaide, who was Private Secretary to Sir William Jervois in New Zealand. A good deal of the matter is in type, and, as far as I can judge, it will be a very admirable condensation of everything about New Zealand Ihat it is desirable that a tourist should know. Scenery will, of course, be a main topic, but the history, products, geology, natural history and sport of the colony will also be adequately treated, and there will in addition be a selection of tourist routes, such as those of Union Steamship Company, included. The map 3 will be numerous and complete, embracing not only a full delineation of North and South Islands, but giving charts of the steamship routes, &o. Mr Brett's handbook is an admirable one, and there are other not despicable ones in existence. But even if there were a thousand, there are still a most desirable class of globe trotters and sightseers who, in regard to their peregrinations, will, like Byron, be content with nothing but " my Murray." These handbooks are, in fact, a sort of bible ot the wealthy ciass of English travellers, and being regarded as " standard," are to be found on the shelves of every wellappointed library. It will be a real benefit to New Zealand to have a " Murray " published about it, as the sort of people who swear by these handbooks are just the class that the colony should seek to entice as investors. They are also the people who on their return will make their circles ring with the praises of the colony, under the idea, common to all globe-trotters, that they have " discovered " if not annexed the last place they visited. There is nothing like a policy of self-reliance, but I don't think even Mr Ball an ce would object to have the resources of New Zealand exploited at the expense of the foreigner. The big men, too, influence the small men, to whom New Zealand offers advantages superior to those of most British colonies. So impressed is Mr Mennell, who had made some way in preparing a handbook of his own, based on the publication known as " Maoriland," that he has decided to abandon his own book and to join forces with the " Murray," and he will write a special chapter on the Steamship Companies and their routes, besides making other substantial contributions. Lord Onslow has kindly promised, at Mr Meunell's request, to revise the chapter on Sport and other features of the work which deal with topics with which he is familiar.