BRETT'S ANNUAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1933, Page 7

BRETT'S ANNUAL.

CHRISTMAS NUMBER. PUBLICATION ON MONDAY. SEVERAL NEW FEATURES. Eacli year towards the middle of October, the public lias learned to anticipate the issue of Brett's Christmas Number, the Christmas magazine published annually by the "Auckland Star." This year the publication will be on sale next Monday. To see the fine illustrations, depicting the scenery which has made the Dominion world-famous, is to feel the urge to go and see these places for oneself, the thrill of the open road. One quietly recites Masefield's lines to oneself, the lines that begin "It's good to be out on the road, going one knows not where," and resolves somehow to see in actuality what are reproduced in the photographs. In some the artist with the camera has caught to perfection a glimpse of a road that winds past still waters, through the midst of tall, still trees, to disappear over the shoulder of yonder hill. One suddenly becomes aware of a wish that holiday time were just at hand, so that one might go and partake of the peace that the picture suggests. In short, the magazine makes us all feel that we are wanderers at heart.

That is part of its value; for it is fitting that the people of New Zealand should be made to want to see their own land first, and if any series of photographs should bring that about, then their publication will have been worth while. More than that, the magazine is sent widely abroad. Those living in other lands are thus enabled to see what New Zealand really is. Development of the Dominion. This is the theme of an article, written "by Mr. Alan Mulgan, which in essence is a defence of New Zealand agp : .ist what appears to be the impression abroad that New Zealand is simply a pioneering country. The scenery of the

Dominion is recognised as some of the finest in the world j but that is natural. What Mr. Mulgan has done is to show how, in a period less than 100 years, New Zealand has developed a culture and a civilisation of her own. "The achievement of less than a century is impressive." The article is freely and appropriately illustrated. There, are 36 pages in the number, pages which, though largely photographs, are interspersed with reading matter of an educative and interesting nature. The front cover shows a scene most typical of any New Zealand harbour. It is the picture of a yacht ploughing along in front of a following wind, with mainsheet wide, and spinnaker set. The picture brings back to many memories of sun-filled, quiet bays, and a spray that is turned to sunlight silver as it breaks. The Statesmen's Gallery. From another point of view, perhaps the most interesting feature is a full colour cartoon, done by Mr. J. C. Hill. It is a gallery of 34 of New Zealand's most illustrious statesmen, past and present. Each is caught in characteristic attitude, with his typical expression. Such faces as Sir George Grey, Richard Seddon, Sir Harry Atkinson, John, Bali lance, Sir Robert Stout, Sir Julius Vogel, W. F. Massey, and many others are there. Those of an earlier generation will pore over the double centre page with intent interest, and the gallery has a considerable value as an illustration to history. The frontispiece is a fine Maori head, faithfully reproduced in colour, of Tikitere Mihi, an Arawa chief. It is from a work by Mr. C. F. Goldie, so well-known to New Zealanders. The reproduction is the more interesting since Mr. Goldie has been asked by the Governor-General to exhibit some of his works at the Royal Academy. After that follow a series of photographs, most of which this year take a full page. Each has been selected with care as being fitting to take a whole page, and that care has been repaid, since the publication lias been improved thereby. The photographs cover the whole range of New Zealand scenery. There are quiet bush-filled valleys; there are mountain and lake a-plenty. There! are farm scenes, with sheep on the hills, | and the tree-surrounded homestead nestling in the foreground hollow. Raging West Coast seas thunder in against rockbound coasts. Forest streams, mirrorstill, reflect the tall trees which bend over them to whisper to each other.

Beauty of Christchurch. Some are typical of the North Island; others of the South Island. The Southern Alps are there, inevitably, as well as the forest which rings them round. Spring in Christchurch must be indeed beautiful. There is one picture of the flowering cherries on the banks of the Avon. Another sliows a riot of roses in the Botanical Gardens in the same city. One illustration is of unusual interest. It is a basket of native flowers, with a key on another page. Until one sew that illustration . one would never imagine that New Zealand had so many natives of such bright colours. A word should be said about advertising. Some of it is done in three colours, lending a brightness to the magazine, and showing advances which have been made. Printing of that nature is an art in itself. I ■