The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1892. A NECESSARY HAND BOOK.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3231, 22 September 1892, Page 2

The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1892. A NECESSARY HAND BOOK.

A new and timely venture for New Zealand has been made in the preparation of an •• Official Hand-book for 1892." It has been prepared ander instructions of the Hon. John Balianoe by Mr. E. J. Yon Dadelszen, the present Begistrar.General. The hand-book comprises a summary oi information pertaining to the history, ofSoial life, resources, and finances of the colony, contrasting same in many particulars with the Australian colonise and Great Britain. What the " Year Book •'• is to Victoria and Coghlan's " Wealth and Besourees " iB to New South Wales so the 11 Official Hand-bopk " is to New Zealand. It bai always been a raattpr of complaint under the former Begistrar-Genepa} that Btatiaticß were anoient hißtory long before they saw the light of day from official sources ia completed form. The moon. venienoe, too* of ready reference, onoe the ■

information was published, also lessened the value of what was Bet forth. It was too ponderous. Too much in detail. This new hand-book, within the one volume, embraces every class of information from early times to date at all likely to come within range of reference by visitors or persons whose occupation necessitates frequent reference to official information. The prefaoe mentions that " Following on the official and statistical information will be found a series of articles on subjects of importance, such as the leading industries, means of transport, social institutions, Ac." Amongst these may be mentioned from the works of Sir James Hector, Government geologist, articles on Forest i Trees, Strength of Timbers, Fish, Climate, VarietiesofSoil.andßuilding Stone. These are all useful items as showing the resources and condition of the colony. In addition to these selections quoted there are specially-contributed articles by gentlemen who are quite at home on the respective subjects which they have been requested to write upon, including, Agriculture, Kauri Gum, Labor, Introduction ot Trout, Mining, Railways, Union Steam Shipping Company, New | Zealand Shipping Company, Public Instruotion, Public Trust Office, Patents, the Maoris, Map of the Colony, and Summary Statistics. It is the most complete hand book, bringing information to modern date ! of any yet presented, of the history, condition and resources of New Zealand, and the Premier is deserving every praise for taking upon himself the responsibility of authorising its publication. This Handbook will prove a ready reference for Australian writers on New Zealand affairs, and in this way will prove valuable as a. corrective of the many absurdities which too often find thsir way into print. It is scarcely to be expected that English newspaper editors will take the trouble to get the correot information, which will now be bo readily available in this Hand-book. As regards Home financial papers it too often happens that they have Stock Exchange wire-pullers to consider in bulling and bearing stocks, and indisputable facts are inconvenient for their purposes. They prefer to be without them or to invent. Nevertheless New Zea^nd will benefit by the use which the more careful of English writers will make of the valuable official statements regarding every condition of life and resource, developed aud developable industry, now presented. An Appendix contains a summary of the Crown lands of the colony and a digest of the land laws, customs tariff, postal and other equally necessary information for new-comers, intending settlers, or casual visitors. This book will be a valuable means of disseminating information from the Agent-General'B office in London. Having had experience of the great difficulty under former rule of obtaining partioular information as to New Zealand at the Agent-General's office, the present writer is in a position more fully to appreciate the benefit whioh will be conferred on enquirers by the ETand-Book, in connection with the reading room and inference library whiob has been established under Mr. W. B. Perceval's rule. There has never been any lack of information relating to the colony in the London office, but it was not get-at-able by enquirers except at a very great amount of trouble to the officials of the office. Many New Zealanders calling at the Agent-General's, London, would know pretty well what they might require, and if allowed access to Parliamentary papers, statutes, Hansard, etc., could supply themselves. The officials, however, having but slight knowledge of the colony, were simply at sea, and proved a hindrance to an inquirer from the faot that they always wished to know the exact volume to enable them to look it up. Full particulars could not often be given, and no opportunity was allowed to ordinary visitors to search for themselves. This has all been altered under Mr. Perceval's rule. The whole accumulation ot Parliamentary records are available for reference in the library in connection with a news room whioh has been opened for the convenience of colonial visitors or enquirers about New Zealand. We feel certain this Hand Book will of itself be a capital introduction to the colony for intending emigrants or Others desiring to become better acquainted with the resouroes of New Zealand. We trust the Hand-book will be issued annually, and in this way the latest available statistics, indicating progress or otherwise in the whole field colonial life and activities, be up to date at all times for all classes of enquirers. The book comprises close upon four hundred pages, and is retailed at one shilling and sixpence. Just the book to send to friends in other countries, and one that ought to be distributed by the Government free of charge to those who would undertake to make good use of this splendid statement of the condition and resources of New Zealand. In this way it would form the cheapest and most effective Emigration Agent for Great Britain or English speaking countries.