NEW ZEALAND MISCELLANY

New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 501, 28 January 1949, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND MISCELLANY

VINTAGE: PEOPLE AND THINGS IN OLD NEW ZEALAND. By Mona Gordon. Caxton Press. HIS is a collection of nine papers on by-ways of New Zealand history. It might be difficult to justify all of them. So much has been written ‘about Te Rauparaha that "The Conquest of Kapiti" reads like an oft-told tale. But there is real value in Mona Gordon’s skilful assembling of facts about several other subjects, such as tribal life on the Little Barrier and the acquisition of the island as a bird sanctuary; what Sir George Grey did to Kawau and his seignorial life there; the slaughter of the huia; the habitats of the white heron and its significance in Maori life; the building up of our lighthouse system and the story of the ships that serve it. The re-discovery of the notornis gives special interest to the killing off of the huia, by Maori as well as European. The more sensitive conscience of to-day will be shocked by Mona Gordon’s story. One of the worst offenders was that famous ornithologist Sir Walter Buller. He is a leading figure, too, in "The Acquisition of Papaitonga," a summary of the dealings of Buller and Major Kemp (Te Rangihiwinui) in Horowhenua Maori land. It is not a pretty story. Lovers of ships will appreciate the history of the first ‘"Hinemoa," that beautiful little ship with the most varied service of any in New Zealand waters. Mona Gordon is overflowery and over-sentimental at times, but much more than that may be forgiven her for her understanding love of New Zealand, and her industry. Also, she documents her history. There are admirable illustrations, and the format is pleasing.