730 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE No. 22

INTRODUCTION AND LIBERATION OF THE OPOSSUM INTO NEW ZEALAND
By L. T. Pracy
28 p. with fold-out map. 1974. $1.20
Introduction of the opossum to New Zealand from Australia was about 1840. This publication is a summary of collected data and records on the liberation points and other information, in the hope of obtaining a better understanding of the opossum, such as pattern spread, distribution, and the effect on the habitat. (New Zealand Forest Service.)

JOURNAL OF ENSIGN BEST
Edited by Nancy M. Taylor
465 p. Illustrated. 1966. $4.50
Although intended as a personal record for his family, Ensign Best's journal is a delightful account of his sojourn in Australia, Norfolk Island, and New Zealand. A random selection from the journal yields descriptions of hunting trips and picnics in New South Wales, viceregal balls in Sydney, a bachelor's party on Norfolk Island, pig hunting in the Wairarapa, the first race meeting in New Zealand, sailing on Auckland Harbour, the death and burial of Governor Hobson, and an expedition from Auckland to Taupo.

LAND USE POLICIES
STUDIES IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: No. 21
185 p. 1976. $5
Land Use Policies is an up-to-the-minute publication resulting from the NZIPA Convention of 1975. Contributors include the Hon. D. MacIntyre, now Minister of Maori Affairs and Agriculture; the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Ministers of Agriculture, Forests, Lands, and Science for the previous Government; the Commissioner for the Environment; the Assistant Director-General of Lands; the Head of the Urban Research Unit of Canberra; and many others. Topics range from land tenure systems to the history of the development of land use policies to the public acquisition of land for urban development. To assist readers each contribution is accompanied by a short summary. In addition most are also followed by a commentary and an edited record of the convention discussion of the paper.

LIFE ON THE ROCKY SHORE
By Gavin Dann
SECONDARY SCHOOL BULLETIN
79 p. 1976. $1.05
A handy and well illustrated booklet. Introduces the young explorer to the fascinating plant and animal communities of our rocky shores. A most useful addition to the school, public, or home library. (Education Department.)

MAORI
By Witi Ihimaera
45 p. 1975. $1.20
A colourful booklet describing the coming of the Maori to New Zealand, his history, heritage, folklore, beliefs, and cultural unity.
Each chapter has a quotation from a Maori proverb, phrase, saying, or canoe chant and these concepts are presented in words and pictures.
Continues with the arrival of the pakeha and the pattern of events which followed, the Treaty of Waitangi and the Land Wars. Moves on to the Maori today, finishing with the theme, one country, two heritages in unity.
Well illustrated with 64 coloured photos, of interest to all New Zealanders and tourists. (Tourist and Publicity Department).

MAORI AGRICULTURE
By Elsdon Best
NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN No. 9
315 p. 1976. $13.50
The only comprehensive study of Maori agriculture available, this bulletin adds a further volume to the series of Elsdon Best's works which the Government Printer undertook to reprint preserving the original text and bulletin numbers. I recommend this book and the series as a whole; to collectors, archaeologists, and to those studying the prehistoric economy of the Maori people. (Government Printer.)

THE MAORI AS HE WAS
By Elsdon Best
295 p. Reprint. 1974. $6.50
Fifty years of public demand since this book was first published resulted in the need for reprints in 1934 and 1952. The text has been reproduced unchanged but the originals of some of the figures could not be traced and these have been replaced with similar illustrations. There have been many advances in our knowledge of Maori life since this book first appeared. The work of numerous ethnologists, and more recently archaeologists, has critically examined many of the earlier concepts, confirming some, disproving others, and altering others to varying degrees. No one has yet produced a synthesis of the results of all this scholarship and there is still nothing as comprehensive as this book of Best's to give a general account of the Maori. This book was first published when Best was 68 and thus represents the accumulated knowledge of a lifetime. It has now become a classic introduction to Maori life. Its continued availability should help the reader to obtain a basic background to old time Maori life which can be extended by further reading.

THE MAORI CANOE
By Elsdon Best
NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN No. 7
451 p. 1976. $17.50
A reprinted edition without textual alterations and retaining the old Dominion Museum number. Another example of Elsdon Best's dedicated effort to preserve Maori culture. The material presented on canoes, their materials, types, methods of construction, and associated artifacts make interesting reading for the layman as well as for scholars of the Maori. (Government Printer.)

MAORI RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY PART I
By Elsdon Best
NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN No. 10
424 p. 1976. $18
An account of the theory of the universe and its creation, study of the origin of man, religious beliefs, rites, magic, and folklore of the Maori people of New Zealand. First published in 1924, reprinted without textual alteration and retaining the original bulletin numbers. (Government Printer.)

CONTENTS

Price 90c BY AUTHORITY: P. D. HASSELBERG, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND—1980