"Early New Zealand."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3513, 17 May 1890, Page 2

"Early New Zealand."

[a. revibw.] To New Zealanders, and more particularly to the rising generation, the ' history of tho founding of this vast colony of the Southern Seas must be of more than passing interest. Among the many authentic works whioh havo of lato been published, ' desoiiptive of the Colony in its early days, and of the varied experiences of its early settlers,,,is Brett's "Early New Zealand," the second part of | whioh is now in distribution. The vivid accounts given in this yolmne of the adventures of the heroes of the day are not only interesting, but are of such a. character as cannot fail to impress upon the minds of readers the ; debt of gratitude which is due ■ to "> the 1 ' pioneers, who _ suffered- the most extreme hardships, in their endeavor • to add to the British Dominion a Colony destined in time to become m itself a mighty nation. The first portion of part 11. is devoted to the experience of sealers sont out: from Port Jackson. The despatch of an expedition from, Sydney to examine and work the .flax trade is also referred to, followed by a 'brief account of the establishments of the Church Mission, in which reiffrguco"' is made to the landing of the Eev. S. Marsden. The early timber trade receives an extensive comment, as< of 1825. The rest of the volume is devoted to nautical tragedies, fights with the Natives on Sea aud land, and a general account of the'progress of settlement in the Colony, The engravings are of the' highost order, aud amongst the pioneers are noticeable the faces of Judge Wilson, the Rev. Marsden, and our old friend, Colonel M'Donnell. The work, which ' is essentially a New Zetland production, is creditable indeed, and should be read by all who have an interest in tho land of their adoption or of their birth,