The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 5 (August 1, 1938)
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After eighteen years “The Story of a New Zealand River” (Jane Mander) has been reprinted. It is certainly one of the strongest, if not the strongest New Zealand novel yet penned. As an intensive study of emotions it completely overshadows many modern day novels. As a faithful picture of the New Zealand countryside and of the men, women and manners of the period, it is undoubtedly the finest work of fiction we have.
Briefly the story concerns a full-blooded pioneer who carves a home and fortune out of the wild bush up north. He takes with him there a beautiful wife, but the pair are woefully ill-suited in temperament. The foreman, an ex-doctor, makes the other corner of the eternal triangle. In the background runs the oftentimes sombre waters of the New Zealand river. At times it flows quietly and then at full flood—just like the passions of the two men and woman.
The plot develops boldly, but obviously the book is not one for young people. It is a wonderful story. Whitcombe & Tombs are the publishers.
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“Art in New Zealand's” seventh annual poem competition was won by Miss Helen Brookfield. The entries of J. R. Hervey, Douglas Stewart and Miss Paula Hanger were highly commended. In discussing the competition in the latest issue of the quarterly the editor states that although it unearthed no new talent of real significance there were one or two entries, from writers hitherto not known to him, which showed interesting originality. The winning poem which, as the editor states, is “delicately and poetically handled,” is printed in the issue under notice. On the artistic side in the same number prominence is given in colour and black and white plates to the work of R. N. Field, A.R.C.A., and there is also an appreciation of his work by W. H. Allen.