OLD NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 137, 13 June 1933, Page 10

OLD NEW ZEALAND.

BOOK OF ARTIST'S STUDIES.

•A v'sitor to Cliristchurch is rejoicing over tho fortunate acquisition of an old publication which is at once an artistic treasure and a valuable document of old New Zealand history. A friend of his was disposing of some effects before rc'.urning to England, and among their number was a copy, in excellent preservation, of "New Zealand, Graphic and Descriptive," published in 187 T. This volume, which is of about the same size as a newspaper, though bound excellently in book form, and much thicker, wns compiled by an artist, Mr. C. D. Barraud (says the "Star"), and interest lies not only in his line work, but in the superlative quality of the reproduction, ehronio-lithograph, plain lithograph, and woodcut; while tho letterpress, comprising descriptive and historical notes on the places illustrated, was contributed by Mr. W. T. L. Travors, F.L.S.

In the preface it is stated that the intention of the publication was to afford "Some idea of the peculiar physical outlines of these islands, and the beauty and the distinctive characters of the indigenous vegetation, rather than of the towns . . ." It was stated

that the intent was to tell tourists the manifest attractions of the islands. It was noted that most of the communication had to be done by sea, but mention is made of "a system of roads which is being rapidly pushed forward, by means of which, within a comparatively limited period, tlic beautiful and varied scenery of the interior of the islands may become more accessible to the tourist than it is now."

The artist, in & personal preface, states that he had been resident in New Zealand since 1849, and over a period of 20 years had travelled both islands extensively, painting and sketching. During that time he had received generous and willing assistance, "not only from the wealthy sheepfarmers, but also from the solitary shepherds far away among the hills, and the road parties in the wild districts, whose kindly invitation to share the midday meal or take a 'shake down' for the night in the roadside hut was always freely given."