N.Z. HISTORICAL ATLAS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27279, 20 February 1954, Page 8

N.Z. HISTORICAL ATLAS

Big Modifications In Plans HOPE OF FAIRLY EARLY PRODUCTION (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 19. New Zealand’s historical atlas, once planned for the centennial celebrations in 1940. will reach production in a considerably modified form. At a meeting next month, a Government-appointed committee is expected to draw up plans to produce the atlas fairly soop. Announcing the Government’s decision to proceed with production of the atlas in a modified form, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Sir William Bodkin) said today that the production envisaged should prove of inestimable benefit. Sir William Bodkin said the Cabinet had accepted the recommendation of a committee which had been examining the original project, the work that had been done, and the work still needed. The committee, he said, recommended that no further work should be done on the atlas as originally planned, but that a modified project should be undertaken. It found that there was a need for the production of a reference atlas which, while containing maps of contemporary data, at the same time indicated the progressive development of New Zealand.

In addition, the committee considered that a series of historical maps could with advantage be produced from time to time, said Sir William Bodkin. These maps would include particular maps required for special occasions, for example during an anniversary or celebrations commemorating important events of national or regional interest.

The Minister said that the advisory committee now appointed to supervise such productions would consist of the Surveyor-General (Mr R. G. Dick), the Government Printer (Mr R. E. Owen), the Parliamentary Historian (Dr. A. H. McLintock), a representative of the Internal Affairs Department, and a representative of the Geographical Society. There would be power to coopt others, such as educational authorities. “The first meeting of this committee is to be held early next month, and it is hoped that plans will be made so that at a fairly early date, production will begin on an atlas Which should prove of inestimable Lienefit to the people,” said Sir William Bodkin.

The proposed atlas would embody the general principles laid down for the centennial atlas —“to provide, within the limits set by cartography apd historical research, a comprehensive record of New Zealand’s development from the beginning of its known history to the present.” Dr. McLintock, Mr D. M. Rae, M.P., and representatives of some Government departments and Geographical Society were members of the committee that recommended that the original project should be modified.