"LIFE" WELCOMES THE FLEET.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 97, 28 August 1908, Page 5

"LIFE" WELCOMES THE FLEET.

The popular magazine "Life" joins in the national chorus of welcome to the American Fleet. There is of course, an illustrated article on the Fleet made up of contributions written by the newspaper special correspondents who are travelling with the battleships. Other special articles are headed by an ingenious and interesting exposure by T. K. Dow, of the fallacy that Australia is a droughty waste, with a fringe of fertility. The writer quotes rain fall figures and compares the fertile area of Australia with that of Canada, showing an immense advantage in favour of Australia. Dr Fitchett, as usual, writes informatively and interestingly about the chief doings of the world, and, in addition, contributes a fine criticism of Sir Frederick Treves' new book, "The Cradle of the deep," as well as a thrilling chapter to his own series of article on Australasian history. The same writer who in July "Life" undertook to expoles the creed of Madame Blavatsky and Mrs Annie Besant, continues the attack. On the fiction side "Life" keeps up its strength, and in view of the Fleet's visit, gives pride of place to a warship story that would do credit to the imagination of Jules Verne. The Van Dusen detective series continues its course. A couple of first rate short stories are also printed. In the regulation departments there is of course, a vast amount of useful up-to-date information—literary, religious, poetical, and general. The picturepuzzle contest, in which great interest is being shown, draws to a close, and as the first prize is a first-class return passage to Japan, and there are a number of hard-cash prizes, it is expected that entries will be large. Altogether, "Life" for August is an excellent sixpennyworth.