BOOKS REVIEWED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 305, 8 October 1935, Page 3

BOOKS REVIEWED

“A DROVER’S ODYSSEY.” - LIFE IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA. “A Drover’s Odyssey,” by George Mclvor, is one of those interesting books that tell of little-known parts of the great Australian continent, and describe life far removed from that of the town dweller. Before camels were introduced into central Australia the author joined a droving party that was to take 25,000 sheep from Bourke to the Diamentina country in western Queensland, where the owner proposed to found a sheep station. There, six months later, the sheep were safely delivered, the droving party, broke up, and the author' with two mates returned to the civilisation of the day, after an attempt to explore the desert country to the south which nearly cost them their lives. Two things can be claimed for “A Drover’s Odyssey.”

'lt contains the best account of a droving expedition in the early days, and much the best full-length portrait of a droving Boss that have appeared in Australian literature.

Some space is devoted to the aborigines. It was the author’s good fortune to come into contact with wild tribes before their hunting grounds were wholly alienated, their natural pride subdued, and their savage dignity crushed by the white man. Angus and Robertson, Ltd., are the publishers of this book, which will be enjoyed by all whose taste is for pictures of actual life. “STARLIGHT PASS.” “Starlight Pass,” though published in Australia by Angus and Robertson, Ltd., is an American story, dedicated to the men of the United States Forest service. In it Tom. Gill tells of the machinations of the head of a huge timber combine to discredit the Forest supervisor of an important area. The opening scenes deal with a pugilistic encounter between the bullying foreman and an unknown- stranger. The latter is easily defeated owing to his just having recovered from a bout of fever. The story then details exciting happenings—killings, kidnapping, and incendiarism—that take place before the rout of the lawbreakers. There is a romance interwoven into the story, which is a wholesome one in a rough and dangerous setting. AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. “Feathered Friends,” the annual of the Gould League of Rirdlovers of New South -Wales,' is a most interesting book published by Angus and 'Robertson, Ltd. It contains six coloured illustrations from the brush of Neville W. Cayley, F.R.Z.S., author of “What Bird is That?” etc., and twelve black and white plates of photographs, the work of many of Australia’s leading nature photographers. Alec H. Chisholm, F.R.ZJS., author of “Bird Wonders of Australia,” contributes an article, entitled “Austrar lia’s Birds on a World’s Basis” ; K. A. Hlindwood writes an informative article on the strange habits of the whiteeared honey-eater, illustrated with photographs; P. A. Gilbert contributes a delightful article on the heath wren; Norman Chaffer tells and illustrates with photograpsthe storvi of the satin bower-bird; M. S. R. Sbarland contributes an enchanting life-history of Australia’s wonder bird—“ The Lyretail” ; David Leithhead (hon. secretary of the Gould League of Bird Lovers), gives an illuminating description of the habits and economy of the blackbacked magpie; while Neville W- Cayley, F.R.Z.S., writes of his observations on the blue wren, with photographic illustrations by Alee H. Chisholm and J. S. P. Ramsay. THE MAGAZINES. Pearson’s Magazine for August contains the first of three instalments of a story by P. G. Wodehouse, entitled “Laughing Gas,” besides other interesting stories. The articles are headed by Jean Batten’s “What a Long Flight Means to a Woman,” in which she gives many interesting sidelights on her journey from Britain to Australia. Another informative article is one dealing with prehistoric remains in England. Harper’s Bazaar for August, qs a

Holiday number, contains special fashions from London and Paris, in addition to the other usual features and readable fiction.

Of Weldon’s Ladies’ Journal for the current mouths it is sufficient to say that; it is worthy of its predecessors, in all sections, fashion, special articles, Home, Housecraft, cookery and beauty. These magazines were received from Gordon and Gotch, through Mr Newton O. Jones-,