KNOW YOUR OWN COUNTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 100, 30 April 1927, Page 21

KNOW YOUR OWN COUNTRY

"Travel in New Zealand." By James Cowan. Volume 1., tho North Island. Wellington: WUitcombe and Tombs, Ltd.

Within tho compass of some 250 pages Mr. Cowan has comprehensively covered tho North Island of New Zealand. Although primarily a guido book, "Travel in New Zealand" includes sufficient of historical notes and comments on tho life and occupation of the Pominiou's inhabitants to niako the volumo thoroughly inclusive. The illustrations, and there aro many of them, have been well chosen and get away from the too-common views found in the majority of similar publications. The descriptions of the scenic routes aro well written and convey to the tourist in a very adequate mannor the points of interest in tho parts of tho country to be traversed. There is a fund of information to be gleaned from the pages, and even a life-long resident of New Zealand will find many interesting details perhaps hitherto unknown to him. The actual method of travel and the reiteration of time-tables to bo followed fortunately find no place in Mr. Cowan's book; he sonsibly leaves that to railway and motor guides, dovoting his attention to describing the scenery on practically all tho usual routes and whenever called for, adding just those touches of anecdote and historical description, which make the whole well worth reading. In fact by tho aid of Mr. Cowan's book ono could by the fireside enjoy a trip round the North Island should one bo unfortunate enough to be prevented from taking oae in, actual reality. If tho second

volume, dealing in like manner with the South Island is of similar high standard, not only tourists and visitors, but the residents of New Zealand themselves will owe a deep debt of gratitude to Mr. Cowan for his able presentation of the Dominion's scenic beauties and manifold attractions.