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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 9 (December 1, 1939)

Reviews

Reviews.

“Tales of Pioneer Women,” collected by the Women's Institute of New Zealand and edited by Mrs. A. E. Woodhouse (Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd.) is the most interesting and satisfying Centennial book published to date. This book will be read and reread by the older generation, the present generation and by generations to follow. The Women's Institute have performed a genuine service to the country in collecting and publishing these stories of our pioneer women. The appointment of Mrs. Woodhouse as editor was a happy one, as proved by the results. Apart from the merit and interest of the stories and sketches, a keen editorial control is shown in the selection of admirably reproduced pictures, the satisfying arrangement of contents, index and chronology. In my limited space it is impossible to detail the contents. I would like to do so, for every contributor deserves mention, but there are eighty-one stories! As the editor states, “this is not a history book, nor is it a collection of short biographies …. rather it is a book of simple tales, chiefly memories handed down to us by our mothers and grandmothers.” Yes, simple stories, and for this reason of vital human interest, page 51 yet not so simple as to lack, in many cases, the ingredient of keen excitement. The stories travel from Auckland province to Stewart Island, and everywhere we witness the grand spirit of courage and perseverance of these wonderful women Who have helped to make our country. Ever and anon the stories of bravery and of hardship are relieved with touches of humour and quick impersonal surveys of particular townships or districts. Interesting forewords are supplied by Mrs. A. E. Jerome Spencer, O.B.E., founder of the Women's Institute movement, and by Miss Amy Kane, Dominion President of the New Zealand Women's Institutes. Much is conveyed in the simple dedication: “This book is dedicated to the memory of the gallant pioneer wives and mothers who, by their faith, steadfast courage and love, made possible the colonisation of New Zealand.” This is the spirit of the volume.

I shall be very surprised if this book does not reach record sales.

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“Pastoral Symphony” by J. J. Hardie (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is the first book of the telling in novel form of the pastoral history of Australia. If the later books live up to the standard of the first volume the undertaking will be one of the most notable in the history of Australian literature. The composition of “Pastoral Symphony” is an achievement—a finely balanced picture of the first important phase of the pastoral development of the Commonwealth. Into this composition fit the two central figures—a gypsy convict, John Sim, and his convict mate, Ann Smith. The escape from the convict camp at Garwin Cove, the foundation of their cattle run in a rock-walled valley, and their battle with Nature and circumstances is a story of endurance. As age steals on them their two sons assist them in the tremendous task of looking after the rapidly increasing herd of cattle. The rapid expansion of settlement and fear of detection forces them inland. Drought and other disasters threaten them constantly. The background of the bush, of the aboriginals, of the growth of distant towns and stations is faithfully pictured in the light of history. The big men of the time are woven into the vast moving picture; all with a splendid balance of composition. The story will appeal to many—best of all to those who have an eye to literary technique. I am sure I will be one of many waiting eagerly for the second book when the gold epoch succeeds the land fever, followed by the depression of the 'forties.

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A nicely-printed booklet has been issued by the Handcraft Press, Wellington, under the title of “Centennial Miscellany.” It contains seventeen short stories and poems by a number of New Zealand writers headed by C. R. Allen. I admire the way in which C. R. Allen lends his name to such laudable efforts as the one under notice. He is one of our leading writers, yet he is always ready to associate himself with younger and lesser-known writers giving them that encouragement and confidence so necessary for their advancement. N. F. Hoggard is responsible for this interesting collection.

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“The Advance of the Missionaries” by H. C. Fancourt, M.A., published by A. H. & A. W. Reed, is the first book to receive a grant from the recently established Alfred and Isobel Reed Trust Fund. The fund was formed to subsidise the cost of production of such books “as will present attractively the Christian Faith and the Christian way of life and inspire the right attitudes and conduct.” The compliment will naturally attract attention to a book which tells the story of the C.M.S. actively in New Zealand from the years 1833–1840. These tales of early missionary work in New Zealand are invariably interesting reading and also, as in this case, valuable additions to our historical library. A tribute to the book is paid in a foreword by the Bishop of Aotearoa, Bishop Bennett, who states: “It is admirably written and of great historical value.” In congratulating Miss Fancourt the Bishop adds: “She has opened a window through which we have been allowed to see most interesting and historic scenes of one hundred years ago.”

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“Anne of Ingleside” by L. M. Montgomery (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) will be welcomed by the thousands who have followed the adventures of Anne of Green Gables. Miss Montgomery is one of the most popular story-tellers of the day. Nearly two million copies of her books have been sold. In this latest book we meet Anne with her young family around her. She lives their life and laughs the hours away with them. The twins are well to the fore in the domestic picture and help to create many of the laughs in a charming story. Everybody will love faithful old Susan, Anne's maid-of-all-works. The book has its exciting moments as well as its amusing ones.

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“Air Raid Precautions for Australians,” a booklet published by Robertson & Mullens, Melbourne, is naturally the last word in topical interest. In a plain, practical manner Alan Brookfield tells what to do before, during and after an air raid. The book has quickly run into three editions, the third edition containing valuable new matter.

From the same firm and of equal topical interest is “The Time Wheel,” which is a simple method of finding the time in any part of the world at any hour. For newspaper readers and radio listeners the “wheel” should be in demand these war-chaged days.