NEW ZEALAND GRAPHIC CHRISTMAS NUMBER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 275, 26 November 1897, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND GRAPHIC CHRISTMAS NUMBER.

POST BY THE OUTGOING ENGLISH

A SPLENDID ISSUE

PICTORIAL MAP.

In announcing the publication ot 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 Christmas Graphic are certainly not likely to (escape attention or to Jail 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 feature in the number this year comprise a series by Mr Kenneth Watkins on the Forest Kings of New .Zealand. No artist in this colony does tne native bush such justice as Mr Watkins—he seems to catch the very spirit of the 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: down to the sea. , Those who know the ffrandeur 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 Watr kins has produced therefrom a spirited drawing. Trout Fishing is dealt with m 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 .is1 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 Tip at her while a very characteristic specimen of the New Zealand younger sister looks on sympathetically. Mr Walter Wright, whose lengtny visit to the European Art Schools has so noticeably affected his work, illustrates a brightly written article on 'Life and Luck on the Gumfields, and that famous explorer and guide, | Malcolm Ross, contributes RAMBLES ON THE REMARKABLES. in which he clearly shows *hat 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 he does to perI fection. 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. I Pay Day at the Waihi Mine and the ! Tairua Gorge are dealt with in large I pictures by Mr Kerry, who has made i bis name in pictures of this class. j As we have said, it is not our inj tention to mention or describe every ; picture, and the beauties of the •SOUECE OF THE AVON—A NEW ZEALAND VINEYARD,' and the profusion of other fine eni gravings may be left with confidence I to public appreciation. ! The letterpress is full, and comprises two prize stories. : 'Dr. Branton's Marvellous Operaj tion,' a cleverly imagined and exciting story, by Mr Burford, of Auck- > land, and