Government Pictorial Post Cards.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11746, 24 September 1902, Page 7

Government Pictorial Post Cards.

We have just received copies of a series of ten pictorial post cards, now being issued by the New Zealand Government, of tourist and health resorts. Those lit tie gems of lithographic art form a set of pictures in miniature (with occasional "bits" of decorative design on margins) truly characteristic of many of the beauties of New Zealand scenery. There are views of town and city; also views of mountain ranges, some with snow-j)eaks roseate with sunset glow; lakes, rich with those liquid reflections for which some waters are remarkable. Of these lake scenes, that of Rotorua particularly depicts the Maori inhabitants with their fondness for open-air ablution, revelling in favourite waters at once soothing and restorative. The view of Wanganui River again gives us the charming effect always afforded by the quality oi transparency in water, with its iene,cting powers. This river, as shewn by this scene., has been most aptly named "The New Zealand Rhine." Natural conditions forbid the introduction into this picture of thq castle, keep, or stronghold which is such a prevalent (picture along the European Rhine, yefc we notice that the Maori cano<; has been prominently placed, revealing the Maori at home on our own Rhine, on which, wo are pleased to know, are many "strongholds" of his native customs and pursuits. Water, with its attendant blessings so amply enjoyed in New Zealand, is also represented in another aspect —that of the waterfall. This fall is attractive in its breadth and suggestiveness of great volume (like a diminutive Niagara).- In complete contrast to the waterfall is the view of the geyser, whose jet d'eau increases to colossal proportions as its ascending column rushes towards cloudland, there dispersing and descending to terra firma in showers or rain and masses of mist and spray. The moonlight scene gives a veiy decided change in style. The bay here is calm and placid, aa if soothed to rest by the spell so often eexrcised by the silver-mantled "queen of night." The "Maori" card, we think, will be an. especial favourite for costal despatch over the seas. In this little landscape we have the Maori ,pia set in characteristic scenery. The lake or river, with its distant reaches backed by the purplish-blue bills and a rich ruddy sunset above and beyond, has the middUe-distance slopes verdant with masses of dense bush. Some natives are going through a "haka." in the" pa, and others are suitably posed. We may mention that these cards are the- work of Mr A. D. Willis's lithographic department, and compare favourably with any work ot the kind produced in the Old Country. The sketches and drawings throughout are, by Mr Benoni White. It may be remembered that it was Mr White's sketch for the Royal-Visit Rotorua Invitation Card that brought to Wanganui (Mr Willis's Printing Works) the work of printing those cards. We are pleased to know that this highclass order of work is bein^ brought into our midst, tints placing Wanganui in the front rank of the lithographic .industry: The price of these postal cards is fixed at the astonishingly low figure of one (penny each. They are?rapidly selling all over the colony. We wa?mly commend them to our townspeople. Mr A. D. Willis has a, supply on hand p.t present-.