Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 797, 18 October 1929, Page 16

Books Reviewed

FATHER MARTINDALE LOOKS AT NEW ZEALAND rpuE observations of visitors to New *- Zealand are sometimes accurate and oftener far astray, but in either case they are usually of interest to New Zealanders. Father C. C. Martindale, S.J.. the distinguished Roman Catholic cleric who visited the North Island earlier in the year, has written a book on his impressions of New Zealand and Australia. He first disarms criticism by explaining that his knowledge of the country must necessarily be superficial and by asking that any errors of judgment be overlooked . . . and then proceeds to give a re-

markably accurate picture of New Zealand and conditions in the Dominion. He was fortunate in having Bishop Cleary as his guide, and he may claim to have seen the most interesting features of New Zealand life, even to having taken part in a meal at which the chef d’eeuvre was wild pigeons that had gorged themselves on iniro berries; a delicacy that is unknown to the majority of native-born citizens. Father Martindale is a man of very wide sympathies. He is no recluse. And coupled with his knowledge of humanity is his knowledge of the humanities and a keen and kindly

sense of humour. He delighted in what he saw of our country. His first glimpse of Wellington Harbour from the hills is lyrical: The sea outblued the Mediterranean or anything I had seen as we came. No soapiness. No thick lapis-lazuli. Intensity, limpidity and incandescence. Lit as from within, the waves rose into sheer emerald out of a great aristocratic blue t—the only word. More blue than kingfisher or gentian or anything save those Morpho butterflies that have to be seen to be believed . . . the only thing to which you can compare this labyrinth of lovely seas and hills is Greece—either end of the Gulf of Corinth. And Auckland gave him the same pleasure, although he was unfortunate enough to spend most of his time here in hospital, following an accident. “I don’t see how anything in Auck-

land could fail to have a lovely view,” he writes. “From Mount Eden you can see right across the isthmus to sea on this side and on that—a better-than-Corinth, surely.” Father Martin dale does not follow the lazy tourist’s method, and dismiss the thermal region with an overworked adjective or so. He sketches a little picture that will really convey some meaning to those who know not the geyser and the fumarole. Gaze upon a mud pool through his eyes: A more beastly sight than a mud volcano can’t exist. In the lovely pure grass and bushes and sandy soil, a saucer within a crater of solidified soil. The saucer was about 20 feet across and full of a white-grey liquid mess, continually throwing up blobs and domes and little columns of slime of an incredible obscenity, and muttering to itself with thick sounds. . . . And then enjoy this glimpse of macabre Tikitere: It was all within a patch of perhaps an acre—a lupus, an ulcer crawling up the radiant hillside . . . vats and pools of seething grey or white or black mud . . . sluggishly or feverishly bubbling mire. The bubbles were opaque—tumours, eyes of dead cuttlefish, swelling till they exploded with that horrible blupp-blp;p-blop. . . .

“But the people interested this visitor even more than the natural beauty of the country. He delighted in what he saw at Flock House, which struck him as an institution that could hardly be bettered save that It seemed appalling that it should have to pay an enormous land-tax, “educational and charitable as it is, if anything in the wide world is.” He Is enthusiastic about the hospitable folk In the country districts, the sturdy native race (“I hope to see a Maori born-and-bred clergy for the Maoris”), and thei manner in which the institutions belonging to his church are conducted: but not so enthusiastic about some of the North Island roads. Father Martindale has a word for those who grow wistful over the isolation of the Dominion and its distance from the centres of culture. He feels no great conviction about New Zealand being on the edge of the world. “There is much in Europe,” he writes, “which ought never to be imported into New Zealand. . . . There is so obviously a New Zealand personality! . . . Do not think of yourselves as a ‘small’ place. Belgium is small; and so is Holland; yet each has its quite definite culture.” The author has some straight criticism to give us and something to say of the danger of the spread of “Stopesian” theories. His advice to prospective settlers is excellent: If you mean to stay in New Zealand become New Zealanders if yon are lucky enough to he able to do so. If you can’t manage it, swallow your conceit and come out quick Do not chuck about the names

‘English,” “Irish.” “Scot,” “Welsh.” You have become citizens of no mean city. “Learn the job and hold your tongue.” Of equal interest are Father Martindale's impressions of Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, but the temptation to quote .from the section dealing with the Dominion has been too much for us and we have exhausted the space available for review of this stimulating book. “The Risen Sun.” Impressions in Australia and New Zealand. Sheed and Ward, London. Our copy from the publishers. The Spartan Mother “The Grey Wind” runs steadily through years of misfortune and tells ol’ the fortitude of a spartan Scots mother. In Its gradual accretion of tragedy it is reminiscent of a Greek play. . Vet Mrs. Macßean, this spartan woman, had no bitterness against life; only a great hope of future happiness which is, perhaps, a characteristic of parental sacrifice. The story, in its minute detail, is almost a family saga. Misfortune dogged Mrs. Macßean and her son Hector. His dark days began with expulsion from the university for theft. Back in the tiny Scots village other tragic times followed, both for him and for his mother. Although "The Grey Wind” ends in ultimate tragedy for one character there is happiness for others, including Hector, who shouldered another’s crime to protect his sister. A very wellwritten novel. “The Grey Wind.” Our copy comes direct from the publishers, Cassell and Company, Ltd., London, Toronto and Sydney. Two Interesting Novels We have received from Messrs. Champtaloup and Edmiston, of Queen Street, a copy of “The Grey Wind,” reviewed above, and of “Uphill Trek,” by Sheila Macdonald, reviewed on this page last week. Both novels are published by Cassell and Company, Ltd. Popular Reprints Few modern novelists have approached the record of William J. Locke in writing uniformly successful

romances —"best sellers” that have brought a fortune to their author by their genuine merit and vitality. There is no need to run over the long list of them. Probably every novelreader knows at least five—“ Simon the Jester,” “Septimus,” "The Glory of Clementina Wing,” “Stella Maris” and “The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne” (seen here, years ago, in dramatised form). Messrs. John Lane, of The Bodley Head, have issued at popular prices reprints of two of these excellent tales . . . “Septimus,” first published in 1909 and still deservedly “going strong,” and “Jaffery” —“that dear, bull-headed, Fantagruelian being”—published first in 1915. “Septimus” and “Jaffery.” Popular Reprints. John Bane, The Bodley Head, Limited, London. Our copy from the publishers. Tales From the Jungle They met at the Pool, all the jungle animals and birds and insects of the little island of Pulau Daat, off Borneo, and there they told their tales .... they attended in full force each evening, the provocative stick insect, Bruang the Bear, the buffalo-leech, the king-crab, the flying-fox, the mosquito, the python and the mouse-deer and strange were the things they spoke of. There was the quaint adventure of Pa Badek, the foolish rhinoceros who saw his own shadow in the drinking pool and alarmed the jungle by announcing the presence of a terrible enemy. There was the race between Tupai the Squirrel and Siput the Shellfish, an epic event, the narration of which leaves Mr. in the same class as Tupai—beaten to a standstill. And there was the exposition of the Greatest Thing in the World, a fascinating little tale carrying a very big moral. These things, and others, are told In Mr. Mervyn Skipper’s “The Meeting Pool,” a most original and fascinating book. For added measure there are the tragedies of the headstrong jellyfish and of Lazy Tok, who demanded that fruit be placed in her mouth and got her just deserts; but not the desserts that she sought. Here, too, we learn how the mouse deer overcame the elephant In a durianeating contest; how the baby monkey used moon magic to disperse a herd of elephants; how Kenawai, the ricebird, became King of the waterbuffaloes and how the loyal Bruang met his death in a titanic battle with the unpleasant Mr. Python. The stories are cleverly dovetailed into a complete whole, each chapter possessing a Scheherazade ending which lures one on to the next; not that one needs

much luring. Personally we have not taken such an interest in a book ostensibly written for children since dear old Uncle Remus kept us popeyed for nights on end. Mr. Skipper has lived in Borneo and Malaya and his jungle is no mere stage setting. Incidentally he is one of the most versatile men and writes with a freshness and charm that are delightful. Mr. R. W. Coulter (rumour has it he is a New Zealander) has done some admirable little illustrations to the book and the cover design is particularly attractive. We shall be very much surprised if tfiis is not the bestselling Christmas gift book for children this year. “The Meeting Pool.” By Mervyn Skipper. Elkin Mathews and Marrot Limited, London. Robertson and Mullens Limited, Melbourne. Our copy from the Australian publishers. Elves And Fairies. Since Mr A. A. Milne delighted his Juvenile audience with “When Wo Were Very Young” many volumes of children’s verse have flooded the market. Yet it is not everyone who can write for children, and elves and fairies crowding the pages of many quaintly illustrated volumes are often the productions of heavy adult minds striving to recapture something of the magic of youth long lost. The author of "The Elfin Story Book,” Miss M. A. Northcote, a New Zealander, now resident in England, does not err in this direction. Her simple verses have the merit of possessing something of the true perspective of childhood, and she has eyes for the fairyland that only children know. There are stories, too, in the book, and “Midsummer Night” in particular has a faerie touch that will appeal to any child in the magic span of years "from six to 10.” "The Elfin Story Book.” By M. A. Northcote. Arthur H. Stockwell, Ltd. Our copy from the author. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

“ Thomas Bracken: Poet, Journalist, New Zealand Legislator,” by G. W. Otterson, with a foreword by Sir Robert Stout. The author of “Not Understood/’ was a frequent visitor to the home of Mr. Otterson who concludes his monograph with a plea for the formation of a Bracken Fellowship Club in each centre of the Dominion. 16pp. “Evening Post” print. N.Z. Dairy Exporter Annual (incorporating “Tui’s Annual”). Third Christmas number; this year incorporated in the October number of “The Dairy Exporter.” Alice A. Kenny and Ivy Gibbs contribute poems. The result of the annual competition shows that the urge to write is still keen in New Zealanders. The publication reflects great credit on its editor. It is well arranged and well illustrated. “Aussie” October number. Devoted to Cooks and Cooking. A fertile field for humour.

TpOR its 1929 Annual Competition, THE SUN is seeking original and hitherto unpublished short stories and verse. We are again offering attractive rewards for the best performances in each section. Since its inception The Sun has opened its columns to New Zealand writers, and has exerted every effort to encourage literary talent in the Dominion. This policy Is not just an annual “endeavour," but is pursued throughout the year. As a result we may claim to number among our contributors the best writers in New Zealand today. We hope this year to create new records. The following prizes are offered: SHORT STORIES First Prize ..... ~ .. £lO 10s Second Prize .. .. £5 5s POEMS First Prize £4 4s Second Prize £3 3s Two guineas will be paid for each short story that is published (other than prize-winning efforts). The maximum length for stories is 2,500 words. ESSAY COM PETITION

A prize of £2 2s will be given for the best essay (not exceeding 700 words) on “The Holiday I Like Best —And Why.” Essays published, other than the prize-winner’s, will be paid for at space rates. The decision of the Editor in all competitions shall be final. Manuscript should, If possible, be typed, and forwarded to: The Editor, The Sun, 42 Wyndham Street, Auckland. Make package fiat and mark clearly: “Literary Competitions.” The last folio should bear the name and address of the competitor. Stamps must be enclosed for return of MSS should they prove to be unsuitable. Entries close -on November 29. PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION This year The Sun is offering prizes for the best photographs submitted in the following three groups: Marine Landscape Figure Study A prize of two guineas will be awarded for the best photograph submitted in each of these classes. Photographs, in flat packages, clearly marked: “Photographic Competition” should reach The Sun before November 29.

BOOKS IN DEMAND AT THE AUCKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY FICTION ‘‘STRANGE MOON," by T. S. Stribling. ‘‘ULTIMA THULE,” by Henry Handel Richardson. ‘‘THE UNCERTAIN TRUMPET ,” by A. S. M. Hutchinson. “QUEEN DICK," by A. T. Sheppard. "DICKON," by Marjorie Bowen. “FINE FELLOWS,” by L. Er shine. “THE WANDERER," by A. Fourn"GALLEON’S REACH," by H. M. T °"DEATH comes to THE ARCHBISHOP," by IV. Gather. “FELIX HOLT," by George Eliot. NON FICTION ‘‘THE GROWTH OF INTERNATIONAL THOUGHT." by F. M. Stawell. ‘‘DESIGN AND COMPOSITION," by F. J. Glass. “WHEN FUR WAS KING," by 11. Moberly and W. Cameron. “PORTRAIT OF THE LABOUR PARTY,” by E. Wertheimer. “AVIATION AND ALL ABOUT IT," by A. F. Collins. “GLADSTONE AND PALMERSTON," by P. Guedalla. “RISE OF THE HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD,” by Count Corti. “ JOURNEY'S END," . by J. C. Sherrif. ‘‘THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MASSAGE," by B. M. Copestahe. “THE HERITAGE OF MUSIC," by 11. J. Foss.