The Lively Capital - Auckland 1840 - 1865 by Una Platts

Hardback with dustjacket, 271 pages, 1971 1st. edition by Avon fine prints

Una Platts brings pioneer Auckland to life in a skilfully woven story which is an intimate, whimsical, and sometimes racy commentary on the 25 years Auckland was Capital of New Zealand.

The settlers were not deterred from enjoying their traditional pastimes by such inconveniences as crudely formed streets and primitive transportation, and these pages are spiced with stories of picnics, dinner parties, balls, weddings, concerts and races, with all their attendant gossip and scandal.

The Author has infused this account of Auckland with over 100 early paintings, drawings and maps which she considers best evoke this colourful era, and which illustrate the development of Auckland and its beautiful harbour.

Book is in very good read condition, light wear to dustjacket and sun fading on spine

Fencibles, Howick, Queen street, One tree hill, Manukau, Devonport, Ponsonby, Rangitoto, Waiheke