Review Of Forrester's Book, "Hunter For Hire"

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 61, 5 August 1965, Page 8

Review Of Forrester's Book, "Hunter For Hire"

Because Rex Forrester's N.Z. Safaries Landrover is a common sight in Taupo, it was all the more interesting to read his hook "Hunter for Hire" in which he describes his life from the time he left home at the tender age of 15 to hegin professional shooting to the present era of professional guiding. I was somewhat disappointed in this book on the whol-e and wondered whether to blame this on Forrester or on his co-author, Neill Illingsworth, a journalist who we assume did the necessary editing of these tales of the outback. Parts of the hook are full of excitement, humour and good fellowship — and parts are not. The first 100 pages would generally fall into this class, but the book naturally falls into three parts, Forrester's early life, the era of his professional guiding, and a final piece calling for more realistic treatment of our natural tourist assets in New Zealand.

I enjoyed the first 100 pages of this book tremendously. It gives a wonderful feeling of comradeship, good humour and down-to-earth philosophy. Written in a racy s'tyle which out-crumps Crump, this I hope reflects Forrester's essential good nature and sportsmanship. Yet I wonder. Because the next section left me feeling a little sick. This hegan when Forrester admits to poaching a thar in the South Island out of season and without a permit — something he has never heen forgiven for hy amateur hunters. Perhaps there is some excuse for his attitude. After all, he had just finished years of shooting thousands upon thousands of game animals. One more head, in season or out, would not hurt? With all the goodwill in the world, I could not excuse Forrester's attitude to the Americans — his clients, guests, call them what you will. His style of writing changes ahruptly and these chapters are full of carping criticism with a sneering overlay of disdain which left me feeling sorry I was a New Zealander.

True, Forrester (or is it Illingsworth) does try to make it all up in the end when he devotes a chapter to one or two of the "good" Americans he has had dealings with. But, while any one of us might be forgiven our private criticism of the people of another nation, it can hardly do Forrester's business any good to go on in this way. After all, these people have paid Forrester good American dollars (or Indian rupees or whatever) and have been his clients. Personally, I am prepared to helieve that many New Zealanders hehave as hadly out of their own country as some Americans do in New Zealand — the latter an experience many of ns in Taupo have shared. But for all the faults of this part of the book, the real meat begins on page 156 where, with a short rnterlude on trout fishing, Forrester concisely surveys the value of the tourist traffic, the interest there is among Americans in New Zealand's game hunting and the serious shortcomings of the Government's atitude to what could be a real moneyspinner. To everyone whose livelihood is even remotely concerned with tourism — and

that is all of us in Taupo for a start — I would heartily recommend the final chapter headed "Paradise Threatened." Here we see how the senseless killing of game supplies can result in a real drop in our tourist income. Perhaps not everyone would agree with Forrester's plan to set things right, but at least he has tried and given more thought to the problem than most Government departments seem to — a point this chapter makes with vigour. — (B.A.).