CENTENNIAL ATLAS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26120, 24 May 1950, Page 9

CENTENNIAL ATLAS

COMPILATION BEGUN IN 1939 DELAY DISCUSSED BY LIBRARIANS "Ths Press" Special Service WELLINGTON, May 20. Comment on the fact that the compilation of the Centennial Atlas and Gazetteer has been in progress since before the war was made at the annual conference in Wellington of the New Zealand Library Association. From other sources it wss learned I that a decision on the fate of the atlas is underst od to await the return from overseas of Dr. J. C. Beaglehole, of Victoria University College, who is at present travelling on a research fellowship. The suggestion has been made that the 11-year work on the atlas should be suspended and the material j so far collected placed for safekeeping ; and access in the Turnbull Library, i A reminder of the atlas came yesI terday when a motion regretting delay ; and urging on the Government the dej sirability of early publication of “this , essential reference work” was carried ; by the library association. I “Probably all who have been looking I forward to the publication of the atlas . have been wondering what has hapi pened.” said the mover, Mr F. A. S?ndall, Auckland University College , librarian. The seconder was Mr J. ; Barr. Auckland City Librarian. I The atlas was described in the “Dominion” on April 6. 1939, as “perhaps the most ambitious project of the National Centennial Historical Committee.” It was expected to be ready for the printer by November 1. The atlas was to tel] the story of New Zealand sten bv step from its earliest to its latest day. A vast amount of- detail had been investigated. Maps, supported by letterpress written by experts, were to show early migrations, explorers, voyages, campaigns of the Maori Wars, early white settlement, and economic development. The atlas was expected to be supplementary to the centennial historical surveys. Progress Reports With the coming of the war work on it slackened, though a note that [ work on it was still in progress be- ! came an annual item in the report of the Department of Internal Affairs. Last year’s report by the department i was: “The research work is proceeding steadily. The economic section has been reorganised, and most of the distribution maps are being revised to incorporate post-war statistics. The preliminary missionary map has been photostated, and copies circulated among authorities on Maori nomenclature for their comments. Research on the Maori War maps is nearing' i completion, the early settlement map of the South Island being overhauled. and the final Selection is being made of early charts and maps for reproduction. The maps on Pacific exploration. post-Cook navigators and i inland exploration await draughting. ! “It has been decided, particularly as it proves very difficult to get draughting work done, to produce the maps separately, with their accompanying texts. The next step is draughting, and further progress depends very much on the, acquisition of the services of a skilled draughtsman.”