N.Z. MILITARY JOURNAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 3

N.Z. MILITARY JOURNAL.

OCTOBER ISSUE. Outside tho forces few people aro probably aware of tho standard which, has boon achieved by the Now Zealand Military Journal. For New Zealand, where the number of competent writers 011 military matters must'necessarily bo limited, the journal is a distinctly creditable effort. Its establishment was part of Lord Kitchener's scheme bearing referenco to the New Zealand Forces and, at tho tiino that this recommendation was made, it was thought that there would no doubt bo a great supply of writers who would volunteer for the first two or three issues, but after Unit tho publication would dwindle and die. The reverse seems to have happened. Tho October issue discloses quite a number of new contributors, and every previous issue has done- tho same.

of tho features of the "Journal" since its initiation has been the publication of a remarkable series of articles entitled "Pen and Ink Sketches of Officers Commanding in New Zealand- from 1845 to 1870." The writer is Mr. 11. Eyro Kenny, of New Plymouth. Judging from tho letterpress, the writer must have been frequently "behind the scenes" in regard to the stirring episodes of which lie writes, and much of his matter must be New Zealand military history appearing for the first time. As a stylist, also, bis manner of telling his. subject lias a charm of its own. In fact, there is, in the Journal, a parallel series of, articles signed "8.W.," and giving the experience of the great war correspondent, Sir W. H. lhissell, in the Crimea, Indian Mutiny, American Civil War, Franco-Prussian War, and elsewhere, which are also so striking in style that they almost look as if they had been produced by the same pen.

For some time in the history of the Journal there was a tendency 011 the part of writers to fly at very high game, such as sketches and criticisms of Napoleon, Moltke, etc. These articles were manifestly of little practical use to New Zealand soldiers, and some time ago, a reminder on this point was penned by the editor (Colonel E. S. Heard). Since then tho majority of the articles have taken a very practical turn 011 matters more intimately affecting tho work _of New Zealand companies and regiments. On such severely practical matters the best articles usually como from the pen of the editor, but the list of writers is usually a long one, and many of the articles aro abovoythe level of what appear in military magazines in other parts of tho world.