CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 156, 4 July 1890, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

BOOK CANVASSING. (To the Editor.) Sir,—You would do the public a favour to make ib widely known that a respectable book-hawker in appearance has been canvassing the country distiicts. He represents himself as agent for a Company of leading men who aro getting up a book on New Zealand, showing all tho principal towns and places of interest in New Zealand, in order to make the public acquainted ab home and abroad wibh tbe undeveloped sources and wealth of New Zealand. Ib would only cost 30s, and bring the country to the front. He shows his patrons a list of the leading men in Ofcago, Canterbury, and Auckland with, glib and tongue by the bushel. Almost to get rid of him you consent to be a subscriber, The LJsb of subscribers is handed to sign. While the pen is in your hand a small receipt book is produced with the gentle request, "Sign here," as well. Trusting the man to be honost and upright, and intending to take the book, you conclude all is right and an honest bargain concluded. " Those who were wise to peruse the receipt book, informed those who did not thab they were mulcted in for the " Picturesque Atlas of Australia," containing some 40 copies ab 5s each (£10). There wero f&sr if any knew of such a work in existence, -and had no intention of taking only what was represented to them namefy, "New .Zealand" at 30s. Legal advice is to repudiate the whole. Hoping others may take warning,—l am, etc., Country Settler. [So many complaints and disputes have arisen out of book-can vassing that settlers would act wisely in _.fing that the work offered is backed by the name of some wellknown and responsible Now Zealand publisher before they put down their namos. There is really _«o other reliable guarantee that tho article will fulfil in all respects tho promises of the prospectus. Of course, if our correspondisnt can provo thab ho wus induced to put down bis name in tho manner he describes, no Court would compel him to take delivery- Ashe does not appear, however, to haveread thereceipt himself, bub is merely writing .from hearsay legarding its contents, it is veiry probable that he has been misinformed a od» his uneasiness is really groundless.--Ed. E.S.]