220 x 275 mm leather-bound book of 51 pages. The book is illustrated by one double-page and 13 full-page autotypes from original photographs, the printed surface of plates 2-14 approx. 22 x 165 mm. The reproductions are of varying quality, probably depending on that of the originals; at their best (e.g. plate 14) they are virtually indistinguishable from actual prints. They were taken and printed by Mr A. Dyer, Photo-Mechanical Operator of the Government Printing Office (see p.43). The page numbers after each plate are, firstly, that which the illustration faces and, secondly, the page on which reference is made to it (some of the references are very brief and uninformative; where they add information this has been included in the description). The book was probably produced as a result of the visit of Lord Augustus Loftus (see plates 11-12), to whom it is dedicated.

From 1856 to 1914 (when it became a Commonwealth External Territory) Norfolk Island was attached to New South Wales. The Governor of New South Wales also being the Governor of Norfolk Island. The post was held from 1879 to 1885 by Lord Augustus Loftus (1817-1904). His visit to the island, from 21-24 April 1884, was the first by a Governor since Lord Belmore in October 1870. Loftus was not satisfied by the conditions on Norfolk Island and sent Henry Wilkinson, visiting magistrate to Lord Howe Island, to report on it in 1885.