A Literary Page or Two

To my mind the king of all hobbies is book-collecting. There is the joy of reading, the joy of collecting, and then there is that mercenary pleasure (to be found in most of us) the satisfaction in the monetary value of the books we possess. Book collecting is growing in popularity in this country, and one of the stimulants is the series of book catalogues published by Newbolds, the big secondhand book dealers of Dunedin. Their latest catalogue just to hand shows the impress of a mind well versed in bibliography. It contains copious notes and observations on the many interesting items listed. Quite a scholarly little production. It may be had free on application.

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I would like to devote all my space this issue to Charles Marris's “New Zealand Best Poems of 1937,” but it is impossible. In a few words I will attempt to survey what has become a notable annual anthology, one which is attracting the attention of leading reviewers in other parts of the world. I will not say the 1937 collection is the best of the several issues to date, but it is certainly the most interesting because of the variety and even talent it represents. Personally I am a lover of simplicity in poetry; I lack any enthusiasm for blank verse. For this and other reasons Dora Hagemeyer found an instant response in me in her lines:—

Too often in the mind's most devious ways

With waning strength, a poem strays along,

Till, wandering as a walker in a maze,

The words despair, and fail to bear this song.

These lines could not refer, for instance, to the three striking poems of Arnold Wall's. There are two poems by J. R. Hervey worthy of a place in any anthology. And don't accuse me of bias for Christchurch poets when I mention the name of still another, Helena Henderson. Although she is a singer of the sky and of the heavens above it, she can look down into the streets and sing a song of sorrow, “The Charwoman.” It is good to hear Winifred Tennant once more and Una Auld, and, of course, it is always a delight to see a new poem from Gloria Rawlinson and she has two this year. The most striking poem in the collection is “Cockcrow Thrice,” by Robin Hyde.

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There are so many things to do, and so many books and magazines to read about Christmas time, hence this belated notice of “Tuis Annual.” Warm congratulations to the editor on his finest issue to date. It is a striking example of what may be achieved in the fields of popular art and literature in this country. “Tuis Annual” is not a highbrow magazine, but whatever is in it, is good. Many writers of standing are represented in story and verse and there are a number of names new to me whose work shows promise. The black and white illustrations are good and the photography splendid.

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In these days when publishers appear to be vying with one another in printing the “reminiscences” of juvenile authors (one book of “Memoirs” was recently published from a veteran of fourteen years) it is interesting to see a New Zealand publishing house issuing the life story of a youngster of ninety-seven years. And a most valuable historical record it is—“Pioneering in Otago,” by William Ayson (A. H. and A. W. Reed). The author arrived in Otago in 1853, and has resided there ever since. One can imagine that the memories of the exciting early days of Otago and the later reminiscences of such an ancient pioneer, will be eagerly read by old and young in this country. Collectors will be after this book, as it is being issued in a signed limited edition of 600 copies.

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Another New Zealand book of historical interest, recently published, is “History of the County of Patea,” by C. J. Roberts, a copy of which has been sent to the Magazine by the Patea County Council. That the Patea County is extremely rich in historical associations is evident from a perusal of this book. The author is a member of the literary staff of the Hawera “Star” and, being a trained journalist, we may be sure of the accuracy of the interesting story he has to tell. Collectors will note that it is not intended to reprint the book.

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Reviews.

“Over the Range,” by Ion L. Idriess (Angus and Robertson, Sydney) is as good, if not better, than most of the books written by this supremely popular Australian author. A few years ago Mr. Idriess accompanied a Nor'-West Mounted Police Patrol on a 1,200 mile journey through one of the wildest areas left in the Australian Continent—that north of the King Leopold Range. This is the story of page 55 the adventures and impressions of a most remarkable journey. The book is a powerful one because it is written with such simple sincerity. Herein is the secret of the universal appeal of Idriess. His books have sold in tens of thousands (the first printing of the one under review is 10,000) for this very reason. Idriess has a deep and sympathetic understanding of the Australian aboriginal, and in this book he gives new and absorbingly interesting pictures of them. He laments the dying off of these “last stone-age men.” He records the fact that although the journey he describes was made only in 1933, a surprising number of the aboriginals he met during the trip have since died. “Time,” he says, “is wiping the aboriginal from the face of the earth.” The book contains 76 illustrations. It is so interesting that it can be read again and again.

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“What Ho!” by Richard Connell (Robert Hale, London), introduces us to a delightful hero, Ernest Bingley, a romantic taxidermist. By stuffing enough birds and beasts Bingley manages to stuff his bank account to sufficient dimensions to visit Bingley Castle, to the residents of which he claims an “astronomical” relationship. His subsequent adventures make lively and entertaining reading. I understand that the book has been “talkieised” with Gary Cooper as Bingley.

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“White Poppies,” by Carl Warburton (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) combines fact and fiction in a manner most interesting. Fact is provided in the gripping picture of life and of nature in the Northern Territory of Australia, which the author knows so well. Fiction is wrapped up in the exciting story of two young cattle raisers who, discouraged by ill-fortune and State apathy, are tempted by a wily Chinaman into growing white poppies for the manufacture of opium. They select a hidden land beyond mysterious mountains. Their guide is a lovable old aboriginal T'Kala. A thread of love interest runs through this exciting and finely written story.

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“Hauhauism,” by S. Barton Babbage (A. H. & A. W. Reed, Dunedin and Wellington), is an important addition to our national historical library. The author's account of this religion, or cult, one of the most interesting episodes of the Maori wars, is embellished with copious quotations from historical documents. The book also includes an extensive bibliography, and is illustrated with maps and pictures. Every student of New Zealand will want a copy of this valuable little work.

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“The Enchanted Kiwi,” by Alice Kenny (the Hand-Craft Press, Wellington), is a charming, delightfully written phantasy, with an atmosphere redolent of this country. It will appeal to young and old. Miss Kenny is a well-known New Zealand writer, being the author of two novels and a contributor to many journals at Home and abroad. The booklet is illustrated by Lindsay M. Constable.

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“Shibli” Listens In.

Mr. Johannes C. Andersen has been appointed organiser for New Zealand Authors' Week, which is to be held some time in April.

The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture is to be modernised into a big farming journal, Mr. H. I. Forde, a well-known New Zealand journalist, is editor.

Victor Lloyd has been asked by Angus & Robertson, Sydney, to prepare a volume of New Zealand one-act plays. Such a collection has not yet been published from New Zealand writers although one was recently published in Australia from Australian authors.

Two new editors of periodicals published in Wellington who have proved their worth are O. White (“Radio Record”) and Jock Gillespie (“The Monocle”). Both publications have made big strides in reading and illustration appeal and general lay-out.

“Murder By Twelve,” the composite detective story on which a dozen Wellington writers have been engaged for several months past, has been completed. It will probably be published abroad.

Thomas Bracken's “Not Understood” (1906 edition) failed to bring even a bid of one shilling at a recent auction sale in Wellington.

A good copy of the first edition of Satchell's “The Greenstone Door,” brought only 6/- at a book auction sale in Wellington recently.