This is one very large book. Although it is volume III of the Atlas of Australasia, it is the most important volume which consists of the beginnings of NZ, starting with Abel Tasman arriving in what is now known as Cook Strait in 1642. Eventually sending a boat ashore and coming to blows with the locals as stated in his ship log. After "discovering Van Dieman's Land" and then naming this bit of terra firmer Staaten Land which oddly enough became New Zealand (still Dutch) by Captain Cook some 200 odd years later. This volume has a wood cut print nearly to every page with so much relevant historic info' including the wars and treaty, with the Maori uprisings. Its just one big read, the book is 445mm x 350mm x 50mm There are pic's of some of the index showing what to expect, far too much to list here. This is not going to be a $10 book, yet at the same time it will be a bargain of information. It covers the goldfields/gumfields, eventual export of timber and wool, which at this stage NZ was still under the influence of NSW until 1841 when NZ finally became independent. An interesting read by no means.
This is quite a heavy piece but worth every cent. Rural post is extra charge.