"‘THE ROMANCE OF WESTLAND.”

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1923, Page 4

"‘THE ROMANCE OF WESTLAND.”

(X.Z. Times). “The story oi New Zealand’s Golden Coast” is the sub-title of this remarkably interesting and well-arrang-ed little volume. Its appearance will he welcomed by the people of “The Coast,” many of whom are scattered all over Xew Zealand, carrying the warmest memories of the land ol their birth. These will lie delighted with the graphic descriptions of the work of their sires under tremendous difficulties, and they will revel in accounts ol the roaring goldfield times. 'I his is the first full history of “The Coast,” lull in the comprehensive sense. The hook. though small, is packed full of most interesting incinorici—a success due to the methodical plan and the careful selection of the important taels. That it is the work of Mr -A. .1. flan-op,. M.A.. a native of Hokitika, one of those people ol '’the Coast” who have scattered over Xew Zealand in search of the fortune that “The Coii.-t” in its decline from its gold resources, has ceased to oiler them, is a happy circumstance. In his pages the reader will learn much uf the old pioneer.-,, chief among them von Hanst. the first scientific ex-

plorer ; Sale, the Comissiouer —in later years well known as one ol the first professors of the Mingo Lmversity--v. ho ruled in the name of the Canterbury Government, and proved himself a king among men, ruling by sheer eommoiiseii.se, native grit ami a keen sense ol justice, qualities whien gave him an imperishable recorn in the early history oi “The Cm. . ; ftishop Harper, who made wonder! ul journeys in his vigorous o’d age ministering to liis tloek with rare courage and endurance: his the Archdeacon, who (lid some year-- ol perish work in the wilds, It'S soli Leonard, who was the first explorer, long before the golden days to cross t | K r.-Vlps from Canterbury, explored 111!) miles oi “The Coast, and return ed. pronouncing the country uninhabitable”; his grandson, A. R- Harper. whose book ' ‘ L’ioneer Work in the Alps of New Zealand.” is a standard: Dean .Martin, the contemporary ol A rchdaecou Harper, who. like him. made a great name in the missionary field : Macka.v. Wliiteomhe. Brunner, ami a host oi explorers; Sodden, who emerged to greatness from the great .school of men who comiuered the wilderness of ‘The Coast” : and hosts of others. From dairies, private lot'ters. and ejllieial . the book has been deftly and interestingly compiled. It gives Us views of the great “rush” ihe.r Idled “I he ( oast with eager hardy, mighty men. ol the harvests limy reaped. the hard-hips they eiicoutiK red. Cm improvements thev made, tit" lives they led. and D' 1 ’ political proheieimy lo which they attained, it C a gi'"al ,-.toi,\. 1 told, briefly, and as an ini rodm-l urn to the full Western chapter of New /■ laml history, which _ imi-t one <m.Y be written, most useltil. It is vcl.\ crediialil.v illnsfraled. and is furnished with a capital index, the author aeknmv,ledges his indebtedness to Dr | light for his advice ami guidance m good historic methods. The work is on sale Ideally and is in very general demand.