NEW STAMPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 60, 13 March 1939, Page 7

NEW STAMPS

CENTENNIAL ISSUE

DOMINION'S DEVELOPMENT

SHOWN IN PICTURES

Subjects representing various phases of New Zealand's historical and industrial development, from the arrival of the Maoris in about 1350 up to the present day have been featured in the Centennial postage stamp set. Throughout the designs the utilisation in the border work of Maori ornamentation and articles of ancient Maori use has provided a novel field for the designer. Descriptions of the seven finished stamps received from the printer, photographs of which appear in the pictorial section today, are as follows:— The id stamp, designed by Mr. L. C. Mitchell, of Wellington, features a conception of the arrival of one of the canoes in ttie 1350 Maori migration. The Maoris have been pictured as arriving in a state of near physical exhaustion, the inevitable consequence, despite the magnificent seamanship of the Natives, of weeks spent in open canoes. The noble figure of a chief in the foreground in symbolic manner is pointing out to his tribe the rich foliage and pleasing prospect of the new land. In the centre are the food baskets and fresh water gourds. Two Maoris are seen carrying a basket which contains kumara. The spiral border design is in Maoris motif. The value is inserted in the blade of a tewliatewha or Maori axe. The stamp, the only, one of the series printed in a single colour, is deep green. The ljd stamp, designed by Mr. James Berry, of \ Wellington, features the five Sovereigns—Victoria, Edward VII, George V., Edward VIII, and his Majesty King George Vl—and represents the one hundred years' sovereignty under the British; Crown. The stamp is printed in blue and violet. Depicting the landing of the main body of immigrants on Petone Beach on January 22, 1940, the 3d denomination is printed in dull purple and petunia. The design was prepared by Mr. L. C. Mitchell, qf Wellington. The progress of transport over 100 years, treated in allegorical effect, is shown in the 4d denomination. The stamp was designed by Mr. L. C. Mitchell, of Wellington, and is printed in chocolate and violet colours. At the left is represented a bullock team typi--1 cal of the types used in the early days of settlement and representing communication in the first beginnings of our history. The express train at right shows the achievement of inland transport today with fast express rail services between main, centres. The centre panel treats of overseas steamship services with fast modern liners trading from world markets. The airliner overhead features the development of air transport both inland and overseas. SOVEREIGNTY OVER SOUTH ISLAND. On August 11, 1840, two Magistrates dispatched by Governor Hobson to Akaroa in H.M.S. Britomart, held civil court 1" and hoisted the British flag, thereby strengthening British sovereignty over the South Island. This event is depicted in the 5d stamp with a representation of the actual ceremony. H.M.S. Britomart lies at anchor at the left. Officials, naval officers, and inhabitants of the district are seen gathered around the flagpole. The stamp was designed by Mr. James Berry, of Wellington; it is printed in pale blue and brown. The impetus given the expansion of New Zealand's pastoral production by the development of refrigerating cargo equipment is featured in the depicting of the first shipment of frozen mutton to leave New Zealand, on February 15, 1882, shown on the 6d stamp. A map of the world marking, the route taken by the Dunedin, Khe vessel which carried the first shipment, is shown in the stamp. Inset is' a reproduction of the ship. The stamp was designed by Mr. James Berry, of Wellington, and is printed in bright green and mauve. The giant kauri, Tan'e Mahuta, is featured in the one shilling ,denomina-: tion as symbolising the whole period of New Zealand history. This tree/is one of the* best known of the magnificent specimens in the Waipoua forest reserve in the North Auckland district, and its age is estimated at over one thousand years. No more fitting symbol of the whole period of New Zealand's .history could be found. The desigrrwas drawn.by Mr. James Berry, of Wellington, and the stamp is printed in pale olive green an,d grey black.