The Most Typical and Brightest Annual of All

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 14, 16 October 1931, Page 16

The Most Typical and Brightest Annual of All

_ That déscription aptly fits the current number of "Tui’s Annual," as the special Christmas number of the "Exporter and Farm Home Journal" is popularly known. In its 160 pages are presented over £300 worth of literary and artistic skill, all secured on the competition system from New Zealand talent. T he result is surprising-at once original and vital and eminently impressive. Now available from booksellers, this number is ° assured of a popular welcome.

"THE . EXPORTER ANNUAL (inc. Tui’s Annual)," just pub-~ lished. is a provocative and delightful. publication, in that it mirrors faithfully, humorously, poignantly, and with abiding sincerity, the lives, aspirations, and achievements of men and women who, in the hinterland of civilisation, live, move and have their being, and in their sturdy courage, probity, and industry provide the backbone of our young civilisation. From gtave to gay, from lively. to severe, their ideals and experience, wit and humour, are set forth in the Annual, so essentially the mouthpiece of those who live far from the madding crowd; and in the expression of life as they see it there is apparent a freshness of fancy, naivete of expression, and stimulating originality that cannot fail to intrigue the interest of even the most blase dweller in cities or the most modern of the younger set. . For it is life that is depicted, without fear. or favour. The wind blows on the heath, the cows come home, the laughter of children rings in the freshness of morning; and there is unconscious revelation of Eve, eternal mother of men, facing life selflessly with a laugh as she takes a hand with the milking, knits a jumper for Joan, mends Father's dungarees, or writes an unpremeditated paragraph for the’ Home Page of the "Exporter." The Annual is catholic in its scope, and calculated to appeal to diverse tastes. Here is collated much that is of high quality from the human, and oftentimes the artistic, point of view. The poetry is vivid, occasionally immature, but of a high courage and humour, and now and again of a wistful poignancy: Let me go hence before my coward fears Become realities I dread too well. So, ere old Time has laid chill hands on me And I can work no more for those I love, I crave, oh Lord, this precious gift of Thee, A place, before I’m old, in Heaven above.

"Gain in Loss" voices splendid acquiescence and courage in the face of bereavement. This is a. very beautiful poem, and worthy of a place in any anthology of New Zealand verse, being calculated to bring heart and hope’to those who grieve endlessly for the sound of a voice that is stilled.

You are with God indeed, for God is here, Amongst the flowers and grasses in ‘this quiet place. And I shall feel no heart-break, knowing you are near, For in all loved things I shall see your face. So dear it is to you, that you wil’ come again In murmuring trees and in dry rustling grass. ...

Una Currie is represented by "Rainbow’s End," a poem of finished beauty in conception and treatment, and there are many lovely cameo-like verses scattered throughout, the pen-and-ink sketches: interspersed displaying notable verve and ability. In the realm of the short story, that difficult art, a veritable success is achieved in "Conquered."' There is true pathos in this story of the Maori Hori, son of a rangatira, sitting on the sandhills in his dim old age, and musing of the days that are dead, stirring days of valorous strife, with. gentle memories of a blonde, sweet pakeha maid. A beaten man, one of the conquered, his thoughts go back to the old tumult and. fighting, and wild galloping rescue of a blue-eyed girl. This is an excellent story in its genre, and eminently acceptable in a magazine so essentially of our own Dominion. On the humorous side there is a wealth of amusing song and story. "No Cows, Please," is a gay jibe at that useful and obliging animal which is, so to speak, the backbone of the nation. "Her Revolt" is very funny, extremely human, and will win many enconiums; while the short story "Percy-A Portent" is chockfull of uproarious situations, quite in the Wodehouse tradition, the effect being accentuated by pen sketches of the persevering porker, whose "tastes were catholic and always expensive, as he preferred asparagus and early tomatoes, in the flower gawlen his favourites being the choicer dahlia bulbs and the buds from John’s pet roses." In the Travel Section glimpses are afforded of the wider world that lies beyond our little islands; and in the Character sketches there is a masterly, study. of "Rock," a black and-tan

shéep-dog, who, through stress and hez staunch friend of "Peter’s Woman," w the stonyhearted will read unmoved, QO are the Nature notes, vivid. vignettes o thrushes, black shags and kingfishers, e to their haunts, and their ways and y those who love them. Of man’s trus adherent, it is written in "Semper Fid Black an’ white an’ tan noses poki my dreams, Steady eyes, wavin’ tails, as the gleams, Seem ter say, "Hello, Boss, here’s’ to you; : Where the Boss goes, life or dea too!" Practical and entirely helpful hi in "Profitable Farm Home Hobbies." the magazine will be of intense inter dwellers in the country, but also to "tows as lseing desirous.of turning talent ta difficult days is concerned, why, to quj cault, "Aren’t We Ali?" Many invel }genious and alluring trifles, calculate: cash from the most hermetically se: are described in detail; exact quanti materials and methods given with 4 cision. Poultry-keeping on a small is eulogised; "My Raspberry Patch" df fia and Cane Work" simplified, with ful illustrations; soft-toy making ma practical advice is given on photograp the making of brooches from fish-bo umazing amount of information an¢ industry that will ensure satisfactory 4 Mr. Burnard, Fields Editor of t Exporter,’ contributes an article onj Seasons from a Weather Viewpoint, writer sets forth his argument in fashion that his conclusions appear uf able; and another article on "Grasg by the same writer is an able exposi an extremely important subject. The also illuminating contributions on Ins Agricultural Education, and Radio, will be appreciated by all thinking and much interest will be aroused by ¢ tion of "Useful Tips" on better far agement sent in by practical farmers; cover a wide field, ranging from Waste Oil to Winter Shelter for Pi The Illustrated Section is und most successful, and provides a sé exceptionally beautiful studies of teristic New Zealand scenery. Theg prise a comprehensive collection of and delightful portrayals of the cous in all phases of peaceful beauty and industry; the Garden Beautiful, wit photographs of home, sweet home, cottage and otherwise; and numer¢ integesting presentments of lovely, giriSand boys, many of them "prett tures," and all, without exception,’ vigorous, and of an_ infectious} abandon. For the Tinks there are stories, i a fascinating fairy scena; a hang verses, with a very charming con by a 15-year-old contributor; puzzles some Cautionary Tales which, it} mised will amuse an audience mord than the juvenile one for which th intended; and some truly delight beginning "I went a-running over Much good work appears in the Janeous section of the magazine; in the wistful pathos of "Clarence G Leave" tugs at the heartstrings. F drollery "Number Thirteen" rank ‘and will create endless chuckles, } the mirth-provoking "Misunderstoq sented with a sense of fun and | management of dialogue that are irn eae Sis

7 dog, who, through stress and heartbreak, is the unch friend of "Peter’s Woman," which none but e stonyhearted will read unmoved. Of great appeal e the Nature notes, vivid. vignettes of magpies and rushes, black shags and kingfishers, eagerly tracked their haunts, and their ways and works noted by ose who love them. Of man’s trusty four-footed herent, it is written in "Semper Fidelis" :- Black an’ white an’ tan noses pokin’ through my dreams, Oe , Steady eyes, wavin’ tails, as the firelight gleams, — Seem ter say, "Hello, Boss, here’s good luck to you; Where the Boss goes, life or death, we go too!" , Practical and entirely helpful hints are given "Profitable Farm Home Hobbies." This part’ of he magazine will be of intense interest, not only to wellers in the country, but also to "townies," for as far s lieing desirous..of turning talent to account these ificult days is concerned, why, to quote Mr. Bouciault, "Aren’t We All?" Many inventions, and inenious and alluring trifles, calculated to wile hard ash from the most hermetically sealed receptacle, re described ini detail; exact quantities, tools and aterials and methods given with meticulous preision. Poultry-keeping on a small and large basis s eulogised; "My Raspberry Patch" described; "Rafa and Cane Work" simplified, with the aid of help ul illustrations; soft-toy making made easy; while ractical advice is given on photography, metal work, the making of brooches’ from fish-bones, and a truly amazing amount of information, anent methods of industry that will ensure satisfactory financial return. Mr. Burnard, Fields Editor of the "N.Z. Dairy Exporter," contributes an article on "New Zealand Seasons from a Weather Viewpoint," in: which the weiter sets forth his argument in so convincing 2

fAshion that his conclusions appear unassailable; and another article on "Grasslands" by the same writer is an able exposition of an extremely important subject. There are hiso illuminating contributions on Insurance, Agricultural Education, and Radio, which will be appreciated by all thinking people; and much interest will be aroused by a selection of "Useful Tips" on better farm manlagement sent in by practical farmers, which cover a wide field, ranging from Utilising Waste Oil to Winter Shelter for Pigs. The Illustrated Section’*is undeniably most successful, and provides a series of exceptionally beautiful studies of characteristic New Zealand scenery. These comprise a comprehensive collection .of artistic and delightful portrayals of the countryside in all phases of peaceful beauty and untiring industry; the Garden’ Beautrful, with. many photographs of home, sweet home, thatched cottage and otherwise; and numerous and integesting presentments of lovely youth, -girlS.and boys, many of them "pretty as pictures," and all, without exception, sturdy, vigorous, and of an- infectious happy abandon. For the Tinks there are stories, including a fascinating fairy scena; a handful of verses, with a very charming contribution by a 15-year-old contributor; puzzles galore; some Cautionary Tales which, it is surmised will amuse an audience more mature than the juvenile one for which they were intended; and some truly delightful lines beginning "I went a-running over the hill," Much good work appears in the miscel- | igneous section of the magazine; in especial, the wistful pathos of "Clarence Gets His ve" tugs at the heartstrings. For sheer drollery "Number Thirteen" ranks high, and will create endless chuckles, as will the mirth-provoking "Misunderstood," presented with a sense of fun and skill. in management of dialogue that- are irresistible.

Of the recipes it ill-behoves mere man to write. But I am assured by one who knows that you may travel a long way before you will come across so varied, so delectable, appetising, and sensibly phrased a collection. of recipes as is presented in the "Exporter Annual" by Tui’s friends on the farm. A hare or chicken served in most attractive form, jams, pickles, dainties of confections, they are.all one to the cleverest cooks in the world, and the most economical. She who knows assures me it is the chance of a lifetime to secure the right recipe, and I hope in time to reap the benefit. The melange makes excellent reading, especially to those sated with the pseudo-intellectualism, vain striving and snobbery of cities, who will find it good to turn to the fresh literary fields and pastures new of the backblocks. Clamour, ennui and pretentious futility fade into the dimness of boring background as we savour the virility. of life near the soil. Amid the everydayness of a workday world we smile at the multitudinous tricks of the trade of which Jack-of-all-trades, depicted in "His Daily Round," must be master if he is to run successfully a Maoriland farm; for it is a very comprehensive catalogue of what the Know-alls of country life must tackle, and sympathetic withal, it being obvious that the clever lines are penned by one vastly appreciative of her "clever chap." One reads on with a smile, until a sigh unwittingly comes when, a page turned, crystalline and tragic truth is presented of an incident torn from life itself and presented without fear, favour or self-consciousness. No self-pity, but courage entirely of the unconscious order, the only kind that is worth while, is apparent in this transcription of everyday give-and-take happenings in the backblocks of New Zealand. Reminiscent of past history, traversing present uncertainty, hailing hope of the future, virile, plucky and undaunted, it all seems very well worth while. Simple incidents unfold themselves, there is little drama, and no posing for effect, but ’ nevertheless ari effect remains of bubbling irrepressible

humour, quick sizing up of dramatic situation, and, best of all, sheer unadulterated British pluck, and one feels inclined to endorse the dictum of that clearsighted young iconoclast, Ethel Mannin, when she says: "Fulfilment of life does not lie in the tortuous maze of civilisation, but somewhere in the quiet and lonely places ‘it has not yet invaded." N conclusion, it may be said that, . 7 although much has been said and written of. the terrific catastrophe which shattered the lovely peace-.of Hawke’s Bay in February of this year, one ventures to prophesy that the poem by Helen Gordon, entitled "Napier," will live long by reason of excellent craftsmanship and true touch on tragedy. A high level of artistic excellence is reached, and we salute the author, herself one of that coterie of steadfast women who are such a tremendous force for. good in the progress of our country, whose talent and gaiety are material factors in building up the outstanding attractiveness of the "Exporter Annual," and to whom "Dion of Tarsus" thus. pays tribute :-- While you scrubbed and baked you had little time. to see. The beauty of the bush, or the mountains’ majesty. But beyond the noise and bustle of your weary working days Your spirit made a secret rest and filled your heart with praise. Now you are old: and worn, but your faith is still the ‘same. You've done your level best, and you could wot lose the game. But you. know the kicks are many, and the halfpence all too fewLittle backblocks lady, we take off our hats to you.