EARLY NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 181, 1 August 1889, Page 5

EARLY NEW ZEALAND.

PLEASANT WORDS FROM THE

SOUTH,

WHAT THE "LYTTELTON TIMES"

SAYS

The "Lyttelton Times" of July 27th says:—The enterprise of Mr Bretfe, of Auckland, has conceived an idea appropriate Co fche Jubilee, which is about to be marked by fcho Dunedin Exhibition* and is carrying it out with signal success. He is bringing out a llisfcory of New Zealand from tho earliest times, His pages—we have received,'fcho first volume of the series of four from Air Brett's representative— open with fche time of Tasmati. They contain a narrative of Cook's voyages, and thoy bridge tho guif of time lying between the departure ot the great navigator and the arrival of the first Governor. For this latter most interesting, remarkable, and, to most people, obscure period, the archives of New South Wales have been, by special permission of the Government of thafc colony, thoroughly ransacked. The result is a scries oj plates, and a graphic narrative, superior in many respects to those devoted by the famous Pictorial Atlas to the early history of Sydney. The history k carried on by many pens. Tho history on which Mr Wallace, of Wellington, has been engaged for forty years, has been long expected. A foretaste has been given to the public in fche shape of a brief school history, but the main work has nob yetseen fche light. The publisher of the Jubilee history has purchased tho manuscript, which will therefore soon see the light. In addition to Mr Wallace, we observe tho names of the Rev. 11. Taylor, the author of "Te Ika Maui;" of Mr Colenso, author of the " Official History of Now Zealand ;" Judge Wilson and Mr C. Wilson, and other relatives of some of tho earliest, missionaries ; and Mr Sherrin, whoso industry, research and acquaintance wifch fche whole range of subjeobs comprised in the earlier history is well known. Sir George Groy has also assisted the editor with historical notes. This will give a special value to the work, as Sir George stands in the first rank of Maori scholars. When he came to the country for the firsb time,5 he asfconished fche Maoris by fche rapidity With which he mastered their language, aud distinguished himself by the industry, perspicuity, and literary skill which he devoted to the history, the legends, traditions, manners, customs, folk lore, and ballads of the interesting race he had come to govern. Baron de Thierry, he of the chequered career, ouco great pretensions, and always great courtesy, also contributes to the work, from his not small stores of knowledge. Wifch such advantages tho Jubilee History of New Zealand ought; to bo worthy of the occasion. New South Wales we observe is doing the same thing in celebration of thafc colony's Centennial, the firs'fc volume having already appeared of the early history. Such magnificent; use of early recorcts has seldom, We may. remark in passing, been made. The compiler, Mr Barton, states in his preface that in the whole history of British colonisation there is but.one parallel instance to his enterprise, that; of one of the States of the American Union. When he sees the first volume of Mr Brett's Jubilee number, he will be constrained to add another parallel. It is a most important work, a work rarely done, a work which is rendered more difficult; by every day of procrastination, a work for the undertaking of which Mr Brott deserves the thanks of the country. We hope ho will obtain ib in the substantial fashion necessary fco a successful result. Ifc is. we observe, to be published "by subscription only. _ Tho first; parb, which is before us, is a very creditable specimen of printing and engraving. Good paper, large, clear type, and illustrations, for fche most part artistic and interesting, wifch a Jebfcerpress in excellent literary style, give together a good earnest of whab to expect from the complete work The illustrations comprise :— lasman's Anchorage, a Portrait of Captain Cook : bis relics, his chart of New Zealand, and his record of the transit; of Venus. There aie portraits of the veteran missionary Marsden—the father of missionary enterprise in New Zealand; of Te Pahi, the famous chief who was the first to make the acquaintance of Marsden ; of Hongi, the Maori Napoleon, of Te Rauparaha, fche great conqueror, who may be said fco have paved the way for colonisation. The early Governors of New South Wales, Sydney Cove in its early Stages, many scenes of the continental convict; days, l-jew Zealand landscapes in profusion and old charts complete the list. On the whole the " Early History of New Zealand " promises to be a valuable contribution to our literature.