N.Z. VAIL CHRISTMAS NUMBER.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2997, 8 December 1896, Page 2

N.Z. VAIL CHRISTMAS NUMBER.

The staff of the New Zealand Mail set itself the task this year of breaking the record so far as Christmas Numbers in this Colony are concerned. They were well backed up by the proprietors of tho paper, and the result of their labours is now before us. We claim that no impartial critic, after oarefal inspection of the various contemporary “ specials ” published in this Colony, can fail to accord tho palm of all round excellence to the Mail. The number scores both in quality and quantity. Within tho striking and very artistically-designed cover are eighty pages, of which no less than 250 columns are reading mitter, which is equal to tho contents of nearly throe ordi-nary-sized novels. And all this wealth of literature for the popular sixpence! The first place in the number is accorded to the special prize stories, of which there are a round dozen. They comprise short tales of up-oountry life, of adventure and city social life. Local colouring imparts a special interest to several of these Tories, which, by the way, are all of a remarkably high order of merit. The next 10 pages consist of a Rtiperbly-ilhlstrated article, 11 tfew Zealand for Leisure and Health,” which takes the reader with pan and camera right through the finest scenery and natural wonders of both islands. Sections of tho article are devoted to up-to-date, readable notices of our dairy industry. Department of Agriculture, laud system, mining industry, various manufactures, stock-raising, population, education systeni, angling, doer stalking, etc. “ Some Prominent Settlers in tho Wellington provincial District ” is a most valuable and interesting feature of the number. Some fifty excellently, reproduced photos, accompanied by wellwritten biographical sketches, form ' a record of the pi ogress of the province which has already created immense interest. “Men we Meet on Lambton quay,” does for the city what the preceding article accomplishes for tho country. The capital portraits and racy sketches should not be missed by any Wellingbouian who would keep an conrant of matters civic. Headers will peruse with interest “Lorgnette’s” special * illustrated contribution on “ Shows we Have Seen and Some wo are to See,” which affords two pages of pleasant stage gossip. “ Scrutator ” gives his audience a Christmas treat in the shape of an extremely entertaining sketch—“ln and -about a Newspaper Office: Some Humorous Aspects of Journalism.” The various trials of the editor are cleverly illustrated by Mr J. Stuart Allan in a scries of cuts. There is a profusely illustrated description of the Wellington Industrial Exhibition, with accounts of the progress of the city, local industries and the lea ling exhibits. ’ Business men should not fall to secure this valuable record of our successful ‘show. “What to . read during the holidays,” a chatty review of some new. books and now editions from the facile pen of Mr Charles Wilson, affords a. uspful guide to the bewildering feast of literature which confronts the reader at this season. Original poetry, chess reminiscences by Mr C. W. Benbow, and all "the usualexcollent features of the Mail go’ to complete a number of which all concerned may justly feel proud. Tho whole of the prize stories are written by New Zealanders, all the illustrations deal with New Zealand subjects, all the pictures have been engraved in the Colony, the Mail Christmas Number is, in brief, a Now Zealand production from beginning to end.