NEW BOOKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1892, Page 3

NEW BOOKS.

A REVIEW OF "FRANK MELTON LUCK."

(From " The New Zealand Graphic")

Aβ affording an interesting and accurate glimpse into certain phases of life in this colony, the book before us ie one that should bo read by the many really well-educated people in England,whoso ideas of New Zealand are curiously vague. Many a mother has a son, many a eistor a brother to whom Bhe in deeply attached, whose oarly ex> periences of life in the North Island of New Zealand correspond with those so vividly depicted in " Frank Melton's Luck." To friends at Home the book will, therefore, prove very interesting , . Nor is it loss so to people living in New Zealand, who, reading some incident which recalls their own past, feel that the writer has at once established an entente cordiatc between himeelf and them, and peruse the book with satisfaction.

The story —as is usual with tales of the colonies—introduces tho hero in England, and describes the friends he makes on the long voyaco out. These play an important part in his life, and consist of Mr and Mrs Robinson —this lady boine; called by Frank ' a collection of uncertainties '—her rather loud brunette daughter, Julia, and a very quieb, lady-like companion, Miss Grave, Frank and bis friend, Harry Baker, take ib in turns to full in lovo with the two young ladios, until, on arriving in Auckland, they all - separate for a time, Frank goes down to Wan£anui, and begins his experience of life on a Now Zealand run under tho auspices of his Uncle Bowden—a widower—two charming girl cousins, and their brother Charlie. A pretty widow, Mrs Forfcscue, makes a groat impression on Frank's susceptible heart. There is an amusing description of a riiling lesson, when the fair widow completely decoivos ovoryone respecting her horeewomaiiship. "Tho noble animal appeared to foel her exuberance of spirit, and took the four-rail fence like a bird."

" Why, we all thought you couldn't l'ide," one of the girls exclaims. Very fcpirlted accounts are given of Frank's cdvontures at a caMle muster, a wild boar hunt, etc., tha too fascinating cousins taking their share of the fun and danger. Naturally, Frank falta in love with one of thorn, Alice, but is checked in his progress towards gaining her affections by a man named "Groavonor," who has been ono of his acquaintances on boord ship. Alice becomes engaged to him, driving Frank almost beside himself, for ho vainly tries to convince her that her Jiance is a worthless scoundrel. Whether ho succeeds eventually, the reader mueb wait and find oub; the climax of tho love-utory ie>, however, very dramatic and interesting. Two other little affaires de coeur run their eeparate and entwined courses through tha tale, but space forbids further description. The book must be read to be appreciated, and ia to be had of all booksellers at tho very moderate sum of one shilling,