OFFICIAL HAND BOOK OF NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 2298, 17 April 1875, Page 2

OFFICIAL HAND BOOK OF NEW ZEALAND.

We have to acknowledge tbe receipt of a copy of the Official Haud Book of New Zealand, edited by the Hon. Julius Yogel, C.M.G. We have not had time to carefully peruse its contents, but from a casual glance through its pages the matter contained therein gives a very fair description of the Colony.

It is a great pity, however, that the book should have been spoilt by its illustrations. Whoever had the task of selecting the views has shown an utter want of knowledge of the different Provinces they are intended to represent. Of all the Provinces Auckland has been most unfairly treated, and the impression given by the illustrations in the hand-book would be enough to deter anyone from going there. We believe that no one will be more annoyed at the illustrations than the editor of the book himself, for not only are the wood cuts of the commonest description — far worse than are to be found iv cheap penny periodicals — but the photographs done by the Woodbury Permanent Photographic Printing Company are blurred, and the places in them not decipherable. The views are old— takea mauy years since— and give no idea of the places they are intended to represent. Of Wellington, two views are given of the city ; one a wood cut, a sort of panorama, shewing the harbour, and the other a photograph of the town. Of Taranaki there are .three cuts — Mount Egmont and the Ranges ; view of New Plymouth, taken from the site of the old observatory at the back of the Baptist Chapel, and which is termed a panorama ; and " A Cj|ek," a scene which might answer for any place. We need scarcely say that so far as these illustrations go it would have been much better had the hand-book been issued without them, for they certainly give no idea of tho cities or towns in the Colony. One of the most ridiculous of the illustrations is that representing tho City of Christchurch. There are a few small houses in the back-ground, with a green in front, on which two sheep are graziDg. There is a lamp-post, a telegraph ditto, and a few trees iv the foreground. Anything more absurd could scarcely be conceived. We would certainly advise the Government to publish any future editions without illustrations if they cauuot get better ones than those at present in the book.