N.Z. POETS

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 42, 26 April 1935, Page 22

N.Z. POETS

Decorations Add Fresh Attraction LATELY there have been-~ several books of verse by. New Zealand authors published: an encouraging sign of what may yet be the start of a literary tradition for this young country. Iwo of the latest volumes-‘‘The Order of Release," by Arnold Wall, and "South South Hastward Ho!" by the late Charles. Oscar Palmer, have recently been received from the publishers. Professor Wall’s poems, many of which will be known to readers of the _ Christchurch néwspapers, show an ability and fluency which is all too rare among our own ‘poets. Delicately produced, with script and decorations by V. ‘Gould, this book has many little gems of poetic feeling that repay the careful reader. The decorations are, for. the most part, apt and well done, and in many cases the combination of Mr. Gould’s delightful script and illustrations brings something fresh to the verse itself. Mr, Palmer’s is a robust muse, the poem which gives its name to the book — "South South Eastward Ho!"-is a forceful sea ballad, and his narrative poem on the typical subject of Waitangi, though it has faults in overemphasis.and poor rhyming, has yet an attraction from its sincerity and power. In "A Three-fold Chord," Mr. .Palmer has written a charming fragmentary piece of true verse, which has a genuine ring. An extremely attractive cover-very well designed and executed-gives "South South WHastward Ho!" an advantage which is possessed all too seldom by books of verse. "The Order of Release," by Arnold Wall, with Text and Illustrations by V. Gould. Whitcombe and Tombs. Our copy from the publishers. "South South Hastward Ho!" by Charles Osear Palmer. The C, W. Daniel Company, London. Our copy from the author.