A Book Review

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 5, 14 August 1931, Page 6

A Book Review

ee WN his last review. Mr. H. C. South, speaking from 2YA, devoted most of the limited time at his disposal to a Ssmmentary on "The Mystery of the oa," by T. Lindsay Buick. The Moa, which belongs to the family tree of the Ostrich, Emu, Cassowary and Kiwi, provides ts with the most baffling mystery and romance of all creatures. The pressing problem for those interested is to know just when the Moa disappeared. Skeletons afford but little aid; all that can safely be deduced from bones is that the Moa was in existence to a later date in the. South Island than in the North. Maori lore and tradition, which are generally reasonably accurate, vaguely pin the date of the Moa extinction to between 1470 and 1770. The book sounds attractive; it is historical rather than scientific and, according to Mr. South, deals very attractively with a definite chapter in the history of the development and evolution of life. Brief mention was also made of two other books. "Buttercups and Daisies," by Compton McKenzie, is of particular ihterest because it provides an entire change from the author’s customary heavy style. In this book we find an entire absence of the lugubrious, for which is substituted cheerful humour. Mrs. Burnett Smith (Annie S. Swan) has taken a passage from the Lambeth Gonference report "Youth . . . struck its tents and is on the march..." as the theme of her latest book "The Marching Feet." Mr. South recommends this as a good book, strongly told and wise in its outlook. Ajs he says, this authoress may be one of our oldest living novelists, but she remains véry young at heart. May I congratulate Mr. South on his reviews? They are extremely valuable because he always gives listeners full reasons why books appeal to him. In other words his criticisms, if they may so be termed, are oonstructive and never destructive, and consequently must be valued by those deciding on an addiSor to their library or to their reading ;