“Harvest of the Moor,” by Margaret Leigh (G. Bell & Sons Ltd., London; Whitcombe & Tombs, New Zealand agents) might have been written by a practical, less poetical, Mary Webb. There is a nice easy style about this book, telling of the triumphs and the tribulations of those who work the soil and tend the flocks with such faithful perseverance. The location is Cornwall, and the verbal pictures impress themselves on the mind as clearly as a series of perfect photographs. A most refreshing break from the cluttering swarm of sex and sensation novels.

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“Dig,” by Frank Clune (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is the epic story of those two superlatively brave explorers, Burke and Wills, who, some seventy-seven years ago, crossed the great Australian continent from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. What an appropriate title for such a story; the word “Dig” so frequently carved or scrawled on a tree or perhaps a rock and carrying in its three letters a message of hope or despair. For Frank Clune, however, it was a word of triumph, for he had to dig into many a memory or musty document to build up his grand but tragic story of Robert O'Hara Burke, the gallant Irishman, and William John Wills, the young Englishman, and their terrible journey of exploration. So great has been the demand for the book that the first edition was sold out before it was off the press.

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“Old Amos,” by Arnold Edmondson (Arthur Barker, London; Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., New Zealand agents) introduces us to a new humorist—a garrulous centenarian who tells us in his inimitable fashion tales of the Lake Country. The humour is in a way reminiscent of Pett Ridge and W. W. Jacobs. Good, wholesome books of humour are rare these days, and for that reason I feel sure that the creation of “Old Amos” will be as welcome as the flowers of the spring. The author is fortunate in having such an able illustrator as Thomas Henry. This well-known artist has combined almost perfectly with the author in his character delineations.

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“Cheerful Rhymes,” by D. J. Donald (Harry H. Tombs Ltd., Wellington) is a collection of light verse some of which is distinctly clever. Humorous writers are rare in this country, and, as for a humorous poet, I did not imagine that one existed in our midst. This booklet proves otherwise. The author displays a nice subtle sense of humour.

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“Grubstake Gold,” by J. B. Hendryx (Jarrold's, London; Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., New Zealand agents) is a fast moving story of “The Trail of 98.” It is not just one of those average thrillers and it is not literary; it is just the book for the crowd who look for a thrill, a laugh and perhaps a cry. The hero is a newspaper man, who, being sacked because he wrote the truth, joins in the big gold rush. His companions are a likeable old “bruiser” and a dancing girl. They find adventure in plenty.