New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-03-10
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

j. lFcr1
Illustrations and map. scribner q Wehoru
~ WarrrN ichoIIs has contributed some import
d.,a 20 the existing knowledge of the hitherto
rnaxnlored native domain of NewZealand, the
home of the Maoris, q fertile, wel-wooded' yet
volcanic region. He made his way for six hundred
miles through this prohibited country, often al inc
risk of his life. when he undertook the ascen. u
two Of the sacred mountains thereby committing
sacrilege IN the eyes of the Maoris lhey however,
did not detect the bold traveller, ana ne seems "
have been treated on the whole with singular
bosni.al,ty by these very interesting and manly
barbarians for savages they certainly are not pos
sassing many arts and industries, an elaborate IAN
guape and religion and "a wealth of tradition, ana
living at least as comfortably as the peasants OF
several countries in Europe. All through Maoriianu
hot springs and mineral springs. geysers' anu .no
various ebulent phenomena which indica'o "0"'1
volcanic regions, exist on an unparalleled so"0' ~
the travellers descriptions OF many OF these na'u
wonders show that they deserve the most caiei",
examination The natives make full use Oh tiie no'
snrings. bnldng villages close to them. and bath
,nr in them regularly. Here is description Vi We
remarkably beautiful natural terraces oil lie
Tarata:
a Az we looked inward the whole outline of the
terrace assumed a semi-cicurlar FORM which spread
out at it's base in graceful curve OF many nun
of the lake. Then broad, fiat, rounded steps OF
pure white silica rose tier above tier, white anu
smooth as Paran marble. and above ,hem ter an,0
after terrace mounted upward. rounded ana seuI-
circular in FORM if designed by the hana OF man.
guided by the inspiration OF the DIVINE oa
All were formed on OF 1eroa conaeaed into ala
haster of the purest hue Nach lanaton, or iolu,ol
TINS beautiful design was clearly anu mar.e.ioaS ,
defined and as the glitterlng warm wafer caino
r;nnin1 over them in a continuous flow, lie Iarata
sparkled beneath the sun as II bedecReu WIN ua
monds and myriads of other precious snd
leaves and filled to their brims with water. bine
and shining as liquid turquoise, charmed tne eye as
we mounted to every STEP wi hns formed enc M
tions which made them appear as II SET IN ma, Si
of miniature pearls. Every, successive terrace race
the one Immediately below it as we approached tie
summit not in formal angu arshap@d steps, out N
sweenine curves, from which the wet, glitterlng
silica hung in the shape OF sparkling staacti'es'
which, interaclng themselves ana m,ngmns ro w
getbcr formed delicate and almost Transparency
fringe which looked like fantastic network VI
icices so exqusitely beautiful in appearance ana
SO delicately formed as to appear as IasGme' ny
ward and inward where 1T seemed sacnege TOT the
booted foot of man to tread. and where the SNOWY
crisp silicous crystal formed carpet-nke M
beneath the feet we reached the summit, ana sat
down upon a cluster Of rocks whicn rose III
fantastic shape upon the very margin Oh tiie cup
shaped crater.
The country is very wild and difficult. full OF
great rivers and mountain chains and extensive
morasses and primeval forests, travel through
which is incredibly exhausting and discouraglng
Mr. Kerry Nichols however. was always ready 10
climb mountain or risk his neck in getting good
view of new waterfall or wade through swamps
and dras himself over fallen trees and through en-
tangling copses. He possesses the true traveller
temperament, in fact, and makes light of labors
which would have probably broken down most pro-
fessiona athletes His description of the old Maori
chiefs is especially interesting These men be-
longed to q race of giants physically. They were
nearly all splendid animals and not few OF them
also possessed respectable nteects. 1t appears
that the new generation is deterOratng in physique
and there can be no doubt that hen the white
man once establishes himself IN the King Country,
as he is certain to do before long, the extinction OF
the MaorIs will proceed with greatly accelerated
pace. The worst vices of the pakeha are stronger
for destruction than the best virtues OF the Maori
are potent for preservation. And should gold be
positively discovered in the KING Country. there
will occur a rush which may sweep the remnant Oh
the natives away prematurely.
Mr.. Kerry Nichols has described this interesting
people and the remarkable region they inhabt with
force and clearness. He has illustrated ms work
with MANY views sketched by himself on the spot,
and he has added q new map showing his routes and
the Law of the hitherto uneXplored country. Alto-
rether he has made very honest anu Instructive as
well as entertaining book.