New South Wales Poster Stamps.

The Advertising Department of the New South Wales Railways has just published a set of artistic poster stamps. The colour and art work are of a high standard. Apart from their publicity value, the stamps should be eagerly sought after by collectors, for poster stamp collecting has of late taken on a new lease of life.

A recent article in the “Railways Magazine,” by Mr. James Cowan describes the Opepe engagement. A few years ago, the scene of this fight (which is on the Napier-Taupo main road) was signposted to the effect that it was the scene of the Opepe Massacre. The Maoris objected strongly to the engagement being described as a “Massacre.” They pointed out that those killed constituted an armed force out on active service in search of an enemy. That the Maoris were able to surprise the pakehas was a matter of good tactics on the part of the Maoris, or poor generalship on the part of the whites. Mr. Cowan's story makes it clear that if the fight could be termed a “Massacre,” then thousands of massacres took place in the Great War without any special attention being paid to them. The offending signpost was quickly removed.

—“Katiti.”

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My attention has been called to an article which appeared in your December issue entitled “First Printing Press in New Zealand.” A photograph of what the writer states was the remains of the building which housed the first printing press accompanied the article.

This is not correct. The ruins, as photographed, are the remains of the home of William Williams. Some of his children were born there, and also in this house Mrs. Williams taught a Maori girls’ school.

The printing press was housed in a stone building which stood on or near the site of Mr. W. Atkinson's seaside residence, three doors from the Paihia Post Office, this building being pulled down many years ago.

Henry Williams was not buried at Paihia, his grave is in the cemetery at the Pakaraka Church, and Mrs. Williams was also buried there.

The monument at Paihia was erected by the Maoris as a memorial to Henry Williams and as a token of their love and affection for him.—

A Grandson of Henry Williams.

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