Page 212 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 9, 4 March 1893, Page 212

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO READERS.

THOSE unfamiliar with the enormous amount of work entailed in the production of Christmas Numbers of illustrated papers, will doubtless be surprised, and perhaps a little amused that the Editor should, a full year in advance, announce the arrangements for CHRISTMAS, 1893. and invite contributors to send in stories for the Competition Prizes. Experience has taught that it is next to impossible to be too far beforehand. The enormous number of MSS. received have each to be carefully read and judged by five judges, who independently record their opinions on paper absolutely without reference, or in fact knowledge, of the opinion of any of the others. Illustrations have to be designed and executed, a work of considerable time, and all this must be done in conjunction with the usually heavy work of bringing out a weekly illustrated paper equal to the best European productions of the same class. The leading English illustrated papers invariably commence work on their Christmas issues very early in the year. Determined to take time by the forelock, the Editor of the New Zealand Graphic has pleasure in announcing THE NEXT CHRISTMAS COMPETITION PRIZES. FIRST PRIZE £5 0 0 SECOND PRIZE £3 0 0 THIRD PRIZE £2 0 0 The stories must Dot be less than 4000, or more than 6500 words in length, and free from anything unsuitable for all classes of readers. A short outline of the plot (about 500 words) should be attached for the assistance of the Editor. It will be seen by Rule 7 that the broadest scope is allowed. So that the scene of the story is laid in New Zealand, the choice of subject is unlimited. Many new writers entered last year, and the Editor hopes for further introduction to new hands in the next competition. Absolute attention to rules is imperative. RULES. 1. The Graphic reserves the right to publish any story sent in other than the prize stories. 2. MSS. will not be returned before the result is announced, and applications before that date will not receive attention. After the results of the Competition are made known, the Editor will post unsuccessful MSS. to those who then make application enclosing stamps. 3. The Editor cannot undertake to answer inquiries having reference to the treatment of the stories in detail. The particulars given are sufficient for the purposes of the Competition, and everything else is left to the judgment and discreGon of the competitors. The award of the judges will be published as soon after the close of the Competition a- possible, and no information respecting the award will be given to any competitor before this publication. 4. Each MSS. should be prepaid, and if left open at the ends will be carried at book post rates. It should be addressed to the ‘ Editor, New Zealand Graphic, Shortland-street, Auckland.’ 5. A motto instead of the writer’s name must be written under the title of the story. The author’s real name must be enclosed in an envelope addressed to the editor, BEARING THE MOTTO AND THE WORDS, ‘STORY COMPETITION ’ ON THE TOP LEFT CORNER. This envelope must not be placed in the MSS. packet, but must be posted separately. It must also contain a declaration that the work is original and entirely the sender’s own. 6. All contributions must reach the office before June 15th. 7. Choice of subject rests with writer, but the scene must be laid in New Zealand, and be of special interest to New Zealanders. It may deal with any subject, natural, supernatural, love, heroism, adventure, life on the gumtields, gold mines, or country search for treasure, fighting or peace, in fact anything bright and interesting, and free from anything unsuitable for family reading. 8. Write clearly, and on one side of the paper only. In cases of equal literary merit, preference will be given to stories lending themselves toillustrat