Although it has been published elsewhere, I would like to place on record on this page the beautifully worded tribute paid to the late Miss Jessie Mackay by the New Zealand Centre of the P.E.N. It is not generally known that the two gentlemen who are responsible for this small masterpiece of prose were Messrs. Johannes C. Andersen and Alan Mulgan, both poets and both great friends of the poet herself. Here is their tribute.

“The P.E.N. Centre of New Zealand records its deep sorrow at the death of Miss Jessie Mackay, a foundation member of the centre and a well-loved veteran of New Zealand letters; and it offers its deepest sympathy to her relatives. Members of the P.E.N., however, are mindful that Jessie Mackay died full of honour as well as of years, and they express their appreciation of all that she accomplished as poet, critic, and crusader. Jessie Mackay was one of the most gifted and original poets that this country has produced, and her genius was recognised abroad as well as at home. As a native-born New Zealander she pioneered in the expression of the New Zealand spirit, and linked it with a passionate love of the Celtic race from which she sprang. As a critic she was authoritative and inspired; with the keenest insight and the highest standards she combined a gentle kindness wherever kindness was deserved. Her interest in the work of young authors was warm, unselfish, and unflagging. As a crusader her pen was at the service of cause after cause, and no odds daunted her courage. Illustrious in her art, she was noble in her friendship, her devotion to duty, and her disregard of self. The P.E.N. salutes the memory of a great poet and a great woman.”

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The acquisition some years ago by Messrs. A. H. and A. W. Reed of the valuable Stack Manuscripts has been advanced a further stage by the recent publication of “Further Maoriland Adventures,” by J. W. and A. E. Stack. The first book, “Early Maoriland Adventures,” was published in 1935, the second, “More Maoriland Adventures,” last year, and there is still sufficient Ms. material available for a “Last Maoriland Adventure,” which it is hoped to publish at a later date. The earlier books have gone through various editions, and I hope that when the fourth edition is printed the publishers will see their way to issue a collected edition in one volume. The discovery of the Stack Manuscripts would make a story in itself. The “find” is certainly a notable one and goes to the credit of Mr. A. H. Reed, of Dunedin, who has edited the three volumes published to date. Valuable assistance in the publication of the books has been lent by his nephew, Mr. A. W. Reed, who resides in Wellington.

Space will not permit of more than a hurried survey of the latest volume. Stack continues his interesting story. Romance enters the recital when he tells of his proposal to his future wife and of her acceptance by letter. She was his devoted helpmate for sixty years. His journey, in 1860, from Canterbury to Auckland to meet the future Mrs. Stack, and their subsequent wanderings comprises the first portion of the book. Mrs. Stack then takes up the story and tells of her adventures in the

Bookplate etched for Will Lawson by the late Henry Fullwood.

'fifties and ‘sixties. She is quite as competent a narrator as her husband and in some aspects even more so. This book is going to be in demand and should cause a further sale for the earlier volumes.

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Aspiring novelists are prone to monotonous repetition in connecting up the speaker in dialogue. They will repeat, “he said,” “he cried,” “he exclaimed,” while, at hand, if they only look for them, are hosts of alternatives. Just a few to go on with: he acquiesced, admitted, argued, asked, assented, boasted, called, cautioned, chuckled, corrected, croaked, crowed, declared, drawled, droned, ejaculated, amended, enjoined, enumerated, exploded, flashed, frowned, gasped, growled, grumbled, hinted, inquired, intimated, insinuated, jeered, jested, laughed, leered, maundered, mumbled, nodded, pronounced, puffed, questioned, rejoined, retorted, simpered, snarled, sneered, snickered, stammered, stormed, suggested, urged, volunteered, wondered, yelled.

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The early New Zealand adventures of Canon J. W. Stack are at times quaintly colourful, as giving an indication of the manners and modes of the period. How redolent of Victorian modesty the following observation of the missioner: “Mrs. Steele gave me a warm reception, knowing what had brought me to Auckland and remembering, no doubt, that I was one of the little boys she used to tub regularly every Saturday night at St. John's College, in 1845, though she had tact enough to avoid alluding to it.”

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