THE OFFICIAL YEAR-LOOK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9327, 10 October 1893, Page 5

THE OFFICIAL YEAR-LOOK.

We havetoacknowledgethereceiptofacopy of the New Zealand Official Year-book for .1893. It is prepared under the instructions of the Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier, by Mr. E. J. Von Dadelszen, RegistrarGeneral. It is much on tho. lines of the first issue of this work last year, with all the information and statistics brought up to date. The scope of the work is the same as the first issue, and so great was the demand for that that the Government have decided to issue it annually in the future, bringing the information each year, of course, up to date. The chief alteration in the present volume as compared with that of last year is that there is a new section added giving a digest of the land laws in operation in the colony, and a general description of the soil and topographical features, together with the chief productions which each district is chiefly suited for, harbours, etc,, of each provincial district. In this information is given respecting the various special settlements established in each provincial district. The work is one that should be in the hands of all having any interest in or business dealings with New Zealand, as it is the handiest volume where all the information wanted may be most readily obtained. The publication extends to between 400 and 500 pages, a large portion of it being tabular matter. The volume is. illustrated with several maps, and an outline map is given of each land district in the colony in connection with the description ot such district. The work is now obtainable from the booksellers, and is issued at a price which places ib within the reach of all who desire it. It will bo remembered that complaint has already been made in our columns of the statement in this book about the depth of water in Auckland harbour. The following is the passage ; —

There are extensive wharves in this harour, with commodious goods-sheds^ erected jhereon, having storage for about 8500 tons, quayage, jetties, etc., giving in all about 9000 feet of berthage for shipping, 3700 feet of which has from 18 feet to 24 feet depth of water alongside at low water, ordinary spring-titles. The wharves are: Hobsonstreet Wharf, Queen-street Wharf, Quaystreet Wharf, and the Railway Wharf, the berths at the outer eastern and western tees of Queen-street Wharf being capable of accommodating large ocean-going steamers. There are six cranes in all on the main wharves, with power to lift from three to fifteen tons. James M. Brigham, Secretary, Auckland Harbour Board; I. J. Burgess, Harbourmaster.

When the Premier's attention was called to this statement, he replied that the information had been sent to the printer just as received from the officers ot fchs Board. The matter ought to.be thoroughly cleared up at the meeting of the Board to-day. It is a pity that there should be any inaccuracy or ambiguity in a book of this kind, which is full, and respecting which considerable care appears to have been taken.