NEW ZEALAND GRAPHIC CHRISTMAS NUMBER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 247, 25 October 1897, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND GRAPHIC CHRISTMAS NUMBER.

POST BY THE OUTGOING ENGLISH

MAIL

(Leaving on Saturday Next, the 30th)

•v yPLENDID ISSUE.

PICTORIAL MAP.

In announcing the publication of the Christmas Number of the ' New Zealand Graphic;' there is no necessity to do more than simply draw public attention to the fact that this now deservedly famous annual can now be procured. The public are excellent judges of a good thing and of its worth, so that the very obvious excellencies and artistic merits of the Christinas Graphic are certainly not likely to escape attention or to fail to command admiration.

In point of artistic merit, in point' of printing, in point of paper, and indeed in all the details which tend to the production of perfection, the number now under review excels. We shall therefore make no attempt to extravagantly praise the various fine pictures, but merely mention a few of the subjects believing, as we do, that the quantity and quality of the work are eloquent enough in their own cause without the questionable assistance of puffery. The whole-page engravings and half-tones which have been made a 1 feature in the number this year I comprise a series by Mr Kenneth Watkins on the Forest Kings of New Zealand. No artist in this colony does the native bush such justice as Mr Watkins—he seems to catch the very spirit of tbe forest and its mighty denizens. The principal picture shows the felling of a giant kauri, while another and rather smaller picture represents the really stupendous spectacle of a 'fall' on one of the bush rivers after a winter flood when the logs, are tearing clown to the sea. Those who' know the grandeur of the sight when the logs fall in thundering confusion over some roaring bush cataract will easily imagine that so clever an artist as Mr Watkins has produced therefrom a spirited drawing. Trout Fishing is dealt with in . a large picture by Mr Bob Hawcridge, who is also responsible for the engraving In a New Zealand Orchard,' which will, we think, perhaps be the favourite plate in the number. It is the fruit season, and a winsome lassie of sweet sixteen is standing* on a ladder placed against a well-laden tree, plucking the fruit and laughing down at the inevitable youthful adorer, who stands gazing up at her while a very characteristic specimen of the New Zealand younger sister looks on sympathetically. Mr Walter Wright, whose lengthy visit to the European Art Schools has so noticeably affected his work, illustrates a brightly written article on 'Life and Luck on the Gun_.fi.elds,' and that famous explorer and guide, Malcolm Ross, contributes RAMBLES ON THE- EEMARKABLES.' in which be clearly shows that _ he. has lost none of his charm as a writer and none of his power of producing lovely photographs of Alpine scenery. 'The First Hoisting of the British Flag at Akaroa' furnishes Kenneth Watkins with a subject such as. his soul loves, and such as be does to perfection. His ' fine full-page picture showing thisceremony, the Maoris squatting round, and the marines firing' the salute, which is answered from ships seen in the bay, is supplemented by a series of photographs of historic interest. Pay Day at the Waihi Mine and the Tairua Gorge are dealt with in large pictures by Mr Kerry, who has made his name in pictures of this class. As we have said, it is not our intention to mention or describe every picture, and the beauties of the 'SOURCE OF THE AVON—A NEW ZEALAND VINEYARD,' and the profusion of other fine engravings may be left with confidence to public appreciation. The .letterpress is full, and com- : prises two prize stories. 'Dr. Brunton's Marvellous Operation,' a cleverly imagined and exciting story, by Mr Burford, of Auckland, and 'A BUSH CREMATION,' a really admirable bush yarn. The dramatic interest and characteristic New Zealand atmosphere of the 'Bush Cremation' will commend itself to all, and it will be generally admitted that two such stories by New Zealand authors have not previously been published. But the most novel and the most important feature is THE COLOURED SUPPLEMENT. In this the proprietors have struck out an entirely new line. A LARGE PICTORIAL MAP, beautifully executed, printed in several colours, and covered with numerous picturettes showing; thg, scenic beauty or natural resources of the district or country. It shows at a glance what are the characteristics of each particular portion of the colony, and it will unquestionably do more to clear away the ignorance of New Zealand which prevails to so large an extent amongst our friends across the sea than thousand's of letters and descriptions would do. Nothing better for sending away to friends can be imagined, and this attraction alone willl certainly command for the 'New Zealand Christmas Graphic' a record sale.