Title: A Bibliography of Printed Maori to 1900

Author: Herbert W. Williams

Publication details: A. R. Shearer, Wellington

Part of: New Zealand Texts Collection

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Prefatory Note.

Since the publication of the Bibliography in 1924 some four score additional items have been noted; these are indicated in the list by an asterisk attached to the number. Several of these are the result of personal visits to the Mitchell Library in Sydney, not a few are recent acquisitions by the Turnbull Library or by the present writer, and some were found during a more detailed examination of the Maori matter in the Auckland Public Library, which has now been made possible. Many of the new items are of great interest.

It is gratifying to find that the method which had been adopted of recording an item on the strength of a reference made to it has been justified in a number of instances by the discovery of a copy of the work referred to. Instances of this are denoted by a dagger attached to the number of the item. A complete copy of No. 540 has been seen, and a full description of it made possible.

One item (No. 232a), which had not been seen, turns out to be Tahitian; and four others (Nos. 295, 296, 430, 532), which are duplicate entries, should be deleted; see also the note on No. 839.

A more careful examination discloses the fact that No. 932 is really a new edition containing material alterations, not, as was stated in the Introduction, part of the old edition issued with a new title-page; but No. 423 bears that relationship to No. 350.

Misprints and other mistakes have been corrected; and the opportunity has been taken of giving additional details, sometimes of an important nature, in regard to many of the entries. In addition to the corrections noted, the name of G. Howe, Sydney, should be added to the list of printers on p. 182.

The publication of the Bibliography has brought the compiler into touch with a number of correspondents, who are now thanked for pointing out mistakes and for supplying information, which has proved very helpful. The hope is expressed that these favours will be continued, even though they should prove humiliating.