HEROES OF NEW ZEALAND

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 4

HEROES OF NEW ZEALAND

Boys have always their heroes, and want to read about them. Those of New Zealand boys—and girls—until now have been British heroes —Clive, Nelson, Livingstone, and the rest. But this country is now a hundred years old. It is natural that it should have heroes of its own, not displacing the others but supplementing them, and good that its youth should know them, because the character of every country is stimulated by admiration of what its best men have done, and “ the sense of greatness keeps a people great.” Messrs A. H. and A. W. Reed, therefore, have performed a public service in giving us new lives of both Marsden and Selwyn, attractively written to make their appeal to youth, as. first volumes of a series, ‘ Great Men of Maoriland.’ Mr A. H. Reed writes on Marsden, ‘ Greatheart of Maoriland,’ and Mr A. W. Reed on Selwyn, ‘ Pioneer Bishop of New Zealand.’ The tales are told and produced in s the style of adventure stories, with just enough of background in each case, and the boy or girl who reads either of them with appreciation will be richer for a great acquaintance, as well as example. Both books are illustrated, in every way they are made easy to read, and both stories well deserved this spirited retelling, which confines itself to essentials and appeal.