GOVERNMENT “FUNMAP”

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 159, 1 April 1938, Page 13

GOVERNMENT “FUNMAP”

Publicity Department Goes Gay UNUSUAL PUBLICATION Levity unusual in ,a Government departmental publication characterises the latest venture of the Publicity Department, now nearing completion in the Government Printing Office. Especially designed to appeal to the carefree visitors on cruise ships and holiday tours, it is entitled a “Fun-Map of New Zealand,” and comprises a large-scale sketch-map of the Dominion gaily caricaturing the various regional features of interest. For instance, at Waitangi in the north is seen a cock-hatted officer with a sly smile watching a hoary Maori chief laboriously affixing his mark to a large paper labelled “Treaty.” At Rotorua, two voluptuous Maori lasses are seen dancing in front of some explosivelooking geysers, while a party of trippers are pushing a rheumaticky old boy into a Blue Bath. In Taranaki a stolid-looking farmer is seen milking an equally stolid cow munching tt daisy. At Trentham two gaudily-attired jockeys flog their rakish steeds acrosscountry. At Dunedin a solemn Scot is playing the bagpipes to a kilted dancer in the throes of a Highland fling. The natives of Stewart Island are shown diving in Foveaux Strait for oysters. And so on, throughout the country. It is claimed that such a map invites detailed study, and from its sheer humour impresses on the tripper’s mind the actual attractions it so lightheartedly caricatures. Similar maps have been issued by the publicity bureaux of other countries, and have proved highly effective. On the back will be given serious details of the Dominion’s touristy merits, with photographic illustrations, and useful data. Criticism may be aimed at the publication by people who consider that their particular locality has received unfair treatment, in being made a laughingstock ; but in an introduction it is emphasised that no malice is Intended, and that the sole object is to draw attention to the scenic or sporting merits of the place. The map is printed in vivid colours, by the offset process, and is the first production by this process yet issued by the department. It is exceedingly well printed, in clean and bright tones,/offset being particularly well adapted to the printing of posters and similar publicity material. The map will be circulated throughout the world, particularly among shipping and travel agencies, and on board cruise liners, next season. Its publication has been undertaken too late for the present season, and it will not be available until after the visits of the two big liners calling at Easter. It is, however, expected that it will prove popular among the visitors of 1938-39