Christinas and New Tear Cards.

Otago Witness, Issue 1762, 29 August 1885, Page 15

Christinas and New Tear Cards.

Mr A. D. Willis, of Wanganui, whose enterprise in starting the process of chroraolithography in New Zealand we referred to some time back, has now prepared his second year's series of Christmas cards ) and undoubtedly good as the last series were, these must be pronounced to show very marked signs of improvement. The expense Mr Willis has gone to in importing the necessary plant, &c, must be very considerable, and it is gratifying to see that so far as regards over- 1 coming the difficult technicalities of the art he has succeeded admirably. These cards, judged simply by their artistic merit, are excellent, and they greatly gain in attraction to purchasers here by reason of their subjects. They are all delineations — and very faithful delineations — of New Zealand scenery, the most picturesque localities in both Islands being laid under contribution. There are views of Lakes Maniponri and Wakatip, Rangitata Gorge, Wanganui, with its river and bridge, the pink and white terraces at Rotomahana, the entrances to Picton and Lyttelton harbours, and several other characteristic glimpses of New Zealand scenery. These views are in most cases set hi a -picturesquely-designed framework of Native foliage, and as the composition has been

managed with really good taste, the general effect is all that could be desired. Those despatching Christmas or New Year cards to friends outside the Colony will of course find these souvenirs of New Zealand far more appropriate to their purpose than any imported cards they can purchase, and this encourages the hope that Mr Willis' undertaking will not prove unromuncrative. He is able to supply the cards at remarkably low prices, and the colouring and fineness of the work Will thoroughly bearscr utiny. Mr Willis has turnedouta viowof Wellington on a large scale, of which it would be almost impossible to speak too highly. The drawing is good ( and the colours are in Very good taste. Besides Christmas and other goods of that description, Mr Willis has turned his attention to ball programmes, which he has in great variety. On these arc given sketches of scenery somewhat similar to those already mentioned. As these goods are more reasonable in price than the imported article, Mr Willis should receive hearty support.