TWO NEW ZEALAND NOVELS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22836, 21 March 1936, Page 4

TWO NEW ZEALAND NOVELS

"New Zealand Calling." By H. Gllmore Smith. New Plymouth: Avery. "The Greenstone Door." By W. Satchell. London: Whltcombe and Tombs. 4s 6d.

" New Zealand Calling " Major Maxwell and Gerald Mordaunt, his nephew, have come to New Zealand to recuperate —Maxwell from an unhappy romance, Gerald from war injury received with the R.A.F. On their first evening in Auckland Gerald, who is an impressionable young man, makes the acquaintance of Airini Winstone, a youthful widow, whose father was a

Scot, her mother a Native princess. He is enthralled by her "wondrous beauty. Airini, who has a homestead named "Happy Valley," is staying at the same hotel, and a warm friendship develops between the three, from which her somewhat feckless brother, Eric, is not excluded. They make the acquaintance of the Barnitts, a family of certain social pretensions, and enjoy an outing at Ellerslie and other entertainments. Airini departs for her home, and Maxwell and Mordaunt later meet her at Rotorua, where the big Maori reception for the Prince of Wales is being held. They are the guests there of her Scottish relative, Hannah Douglas. Later they visit her mother, and stay also at "Happy Valley." By this time Geralds first sentimental regard for Airini has changed to warm liking, and the way is clear for Maxwell to declare his love. Meanwhile, a passionate entanglement between Eric and Mabel Barmtt has reached a critical state, and Gerald has been able to express in a practical manner his dislike of Mabel's brother. But all ends happily, with the Barmtt family suitably chastened, Eric and Mabel united, Maxwell and Airini established on the homestead, and Gerald back in England preparing to step into his inheritance. This, briefly, is the story in H. Gilmore Smith's novel, "New Zealand Calling." The author writes of his country with understanding and enthusiasm, especially of the Native race. Several of his characters are well drawn, notably the reticent, kindly Scotswoman. His dialogue is stilted, and shows a hand inexperienced in fiction.

" The Greenstone Door Until its reappearance this year, William Satchell's "The Greenstone Door" was a rare item in New Zealand libraries, and spoken of with respect in a comparatively small circle. It had the misfortune to be published in London in the first year of the Great War, and only this bad luck can have prevented it 'from obtaining earlier than in 19.'i0 the larger audience which its author, like all novelists, must have hoped to address. The story, which is dramatic as to plot, concerns the adventures in this country of Cedric Tregarthen, who is a child in the Waikato in the precarious days preceding the Maori War. He is Grey's secretary when the tragic conflict between Maori and pakeha breaks out, and his own part in it is hazardous and-heart-breaking. But more important than the plot is Mr Satchell's vivid, knowlc(l"al)lc reconstruction of an interesting period in New Zealand history—a period of romance, development, and endeavour. He has succeeded, perhaps, more ably than any other writer using the medium of fiction allied to fact, in giving contemporary New Zealandcrs a graphic survey of the north in its early years of struggle.

The Authors H. Gilmore Smith was born at Akaroa, and at the early ago of 13 entered the teaching profession in the Goldsborough j School, on the West. Const. Later lie ' joined the Justice Department m the court at Reefton, and served no clerk of court in several parts of New Zealand. Previous to his retirement recently he filled the position of Supreme j Court registrar at New Plymouth for 10 i years. He lias been prominent in the i Savage Club, and his chief recreation i.s i bowling. "New Zealand Calling," his j first novel, first appeared as a serial in j a North Island newspaper. William Satchell was born in London. I and came to "Sew Zealand at an early age I in 188 G. lie was educated at Hurslpicrs- | point and Rostock. His publications inI fhide a book of verse, "Patriotic Poems (1900), published in Auckland, and three I works besides "The Greenstone Door" which have appeared in London—of Life," "Land of the Lost," and 101 l of the Bush." He says: "I have not made my living by writing; the books are the outcome of a more or less secret I and perhaps reprehensible, hobby. J. M.

First Novels C E. Becbhofer Roberts wishes publishers would occasionally pluck up courage and tell a domineering first-novelist what is wrong with his book. Then first novels would be the most attractive books to review, instead of the least, as they are now.

The prices marked against banks rpvlewcrt tn these columns are those at which Hit"' are retnlled in New Zealand Advertising points out the merits of n product and impresses the buyer with its desirability.