NORTH ISLAND GOLDFIELD
THE AMAZING THAMES, if — Grainger; _ A. H. and A. W. Reed; 17/6 LTHOUGH the Centennial resulted in some mediocre local histories, other notable ones, such as A. D. McIntosh’s Marlborough, set a high standard that was greatly to the benefit of New Zealand publishing. The flow of historical works is not at the flood, but today it is a strong current in our literature. The Amazing Thames is a collection of newspaper articles that deserved inclusion in a book. The author should have expanded them. As the chapters stand they are jerky and episodic, and do not do full justice to the subject. A feature of the book is its diversity of interest. The central theme is the discovery of gold in 1867 with all its glamour and anecdote. These stories are far more than literary tailings. The author writes simply.
His history is the more valuable for including the social background of Thames. Studies of such a respected figure as James Mackay, an explorer of Westland and warden of the Thames goldfield, and of hardy-diggers contrast well with vignettes of the local headmaster, a magistrate, a missioner fallen from grace, and Maori warriors. The material is intensely fnteresting. The book is well produced, and though the illustrations are coarsescreen newspaper blocks, careful printing has given them a surprising contrast ; / | |
and Clarity.
John
Pascoe
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19520502.2.26.7
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 26, Issue 669, 2 May 1952, Page 14
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227NORTH ISLAND GOLDFIELD New Zealand Listener, Volume 26, Issue 669, 2 May 1952, Page 14
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