BUICK, T. Lindsay

The French at Akaroa. An Adventure in Colonization. Published under the auspices of the Board of Maori Ethnological Research. Wellington N.Z., New Zealand Book Depot, 1928. In-8 (205 x 137 mm) of XVI, 420 pp, 14 black illustrations printed on 13 plates, 1 large folding map. Green percale, gilt title on front board and spine (publisher's binding). First edition, written by Thomas Lindsay Buick (1865-1938), member of parliament in Wairau (New Zealand), historian and journalist. "Lindsay Buick was a man of considerable intellectual ability, substantially self-educated, who began writing New Zealand history by chance but soon developed a lasting commitment to the task. During a busy career as a journalist he managed to write 12 books and a small number of pamphlets, many of which he published at his own expense. Buick had a fluent prose style and a firm sense of narrative structure. He synthesized a wide range of printed sources and, particularly for his earlier works, sought out eyewitnesses and others closely associated with historical events" (TEARA, Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, online) The plates show historical figures, maps, and some reproductions of early photographs. The large map shows the Banks Peninsula. Minor wear to the upper cover. Stamp of the Government Printing Office Library.