BOOK REVIEW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 14, 9 April 1947, Page 5

BOOK REVIEW

'A NEW ZEALANDER LOOKS BACK' •r AUCKLAND IN ROMPERS Early Auckland, its trials and its triumphs is vividly reflected in a recently released publication 'A New Zealander Looks Back* by Ewen William Alison. This book with its attractive cover pictorially setting out some of the cities best known views is now on the market and is now obtainable at C. S. Armstrong's, Whakatane.

Mr Alison whose long and active life has peculiarly fitted him for reminiscenses of a personal and public nature, has already two earlier books to his credit, 'A New Zealander Sees the World' and 'A New Zealander Looks On' both of which have met with a splendid reception. Told in a refreshing and breezy manner, the incidents of the city's earlier . development make grand reading and dedicates the book at once to all New Zelanders who have any link with the 'Queen City' of the north.

Descriptions of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the opening of the Calliope Dock, the gradual development of the Auckland waterfront all make intensely interesting reading, while the character sketches of the great men of the past, Sir 'Julius Vogel, Richard John Seddon and Sir George Grey (all from personal observations) furnish an historic record in themselves.

It is astounding to reflect that Grafton Bridge cost the ratepayers of the infant city just £40,000, a figure which could be magnified many times today for a similar undertaking. Many of the incidents recounted lie within comparatively short memories, and for this reason it is fascinating to recall the Auckland of 30 or 40 years ago, with the 'cheeky' Borough of North Shore developing in spite of all the opposition of the city. We can safely recommend the book to all who enjoy a well told series of reminscences which hold a personal link for practically every New Zealander interested in his own country.