CLIMBING, PLUS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 34, 16 February 1940, Page 27

CLIMBING, PLUS

PEAKS AND LAMAS. By Marco Pallis, Cassell. This is a superbly illustrated account of two mountaineering expeditions to the Himalayas. But it is quite different in conception from practically every climber’s account hitherto published, for the lamas overshadow the peaks, and even the illustrations show us far more of Tibetan art than of K2 from Camp V, Mr. Pallis is an unusual traveller: he does not believe that his own European mode of life takes precedence over all others. Though he by no means shuts his eyes to the weaknesses of his hosts, he does not make good stories out of their comical or degraded habits. He managed his porters well by treating them as human beings-members of the party had taken the trouble to learn both Tibetan and Hindustani. Though the accounts of actual climbing in the book are secondary to the main theme of Tibetan art and religion, there are a number of points dealt with which a climber could not afford to overlook,» and Kirkus’s chapter describing the ascent of Central Satopant’h gives one. all the vicarious heroics one could desire, Mr. Pallis found the lamas with whom he came into casual contact on his first expedition so sympathetic that he prolonged his second expedition by several months for the pleasure of discussing their theology and attempting to achieve their serenity. In Tibet and the borderlands within British India a profoundly religious society still practises handicrafts abandoned by Europe four centuries ago. The reader who cannot share the author’s enthusiasm for the mysticism of these people can at least enjoy the lively vigour of their temperament, THE POSTMAN. N.Z. Education DePartment. In 192 closely filled pages the Correspondence School summarises the work of last year: a wide range of academic and technical courses for 2,813 pupils in primer, primary and secondary classes; supplementary services to other schools, to disabled students, to students in employment, and to adult students; a library service; a weekly radio teaching service; the maintenance of 12 clubs or societies; the activity of a parents’ association and an ex-pupils’ association; and, in general, the creating of a useful. and remarkably intimate union in the interests of men and women and their families in the most remote parts of New Zealand, For the extent of the work it covers, this is a more than interesting publication,