ABSTRACT
Appendix 2 'New Zealand and Japan: A Japanese Naturalist', in The New Zealand Mail, (21 May 1886) Shigetaka Shiga, a Japanese naturalist, is a gentleman who arrived in Wellington a few days ago by the Japanese warship Tsukuba. His visit to New Zealand is one which may fairly be said to be of considerable importance to the Colony. It appears that several Japanese gentlemen who have attained scholastic eminence have recently been despatched to different parts of the world to obtain information and report, with a view of encouraging the interchange of produce between Japan and other countries. Shigetaka Shiga has lately been in Australia, where he has been diligently prosecuting his researches. He is, apparently, especially qualified for the mission on which he is now engaged, being a fine English scholar and a gentleman of keen observation. During his stay in Australia he contributed a number of articles on Japan to the Sydney Echo. Soon after arrival here Shigetaka Shiga proceeded to the Wairarapa, where he has been for some days observing the country, and gleaning information with regard to its products, etc. He expresses himself as being highly pleased with the Plains, and is especially loud in praise of the soil and the general capabilities of the country.
