YACHTSMAN AND WRITER

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29798, 14 April 1962, Page 3

YACHTSMAN AND WRITER

Painted Ocean. By Neill Arrow. Caxton Press. 174

Mr Arrow’s life as a yachtsman has included at least two major enterprises, which are described in detail in "Painted Ocean.” These are his jaunt in the Miru across the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal up to Boston, and the Tasman yacht race in Taihoa. Neither of these exploits was exactly trivial, and some writers might be tempted, quite justifiably, to give them serious treatment. Not so Mr Arrow, who must be the most light-hearted writer New Zealand has produced for a long time. A fragment of dialogue will illustrate the author’s method. Under bare notes

We were hanging on to the boom trying to lash, down the mainsail when Bill and I had a discussion.

"Have you ever been in anything like this before?’" he had to shout. “Lots of times," untruthfully. “Is this a hurricane?”

"Just a gale." Modestly. "How will she go now the sea anchor has carried away?"

“She’ll look after herself." Hopefully. “If only mother could see me now!"

In a more stable setting. Mr Arrow had an equally disquieting experience with a blonde sun-bather. It was on the beach at Waikiki, and he was sleeping off the effects of an “Old Fashioned” cocktail. “I lay. in the sand worshipping with the other sunbathers and gradually suc-

cuinbed to the sleep-making rhythm of the breakers. A thistledown touch on my chest and the subtle scent of Chanel 5 forced my eyes open. Dark glasses looked at me closely while long apothecary tresses moved with the breeze across my shoulders.

“Light me," she demanded. "Good heavens . . . you scared me!" 1 said and fumbled nervously for my matches. The conversation then tell into conventional channels, and finally Mr Arrow had to admit he was a writer.

“What’s your name, boy?" "Huxley—Aldous Huxley." "Never read anything of yours, Hux . . . you in paper backs?" "Not yet."

I'll bet you write Westerns ana all that jazz." "Why?" "Your hands give you away, Hux . . . rough and tough . . . I’ll bet you can use them!" By this time 1 had retreated four yards down the beach and she had advanced five.

That is how life goes for a man who is just as imperturbable ashore as he is afloat.

In spite of the fact that MiArrow accepts the inevitable hazards of an adventurous career with a Smile, his achievements, both as deepsea yachtsman and writer, are considerable. From both points of view he is worth careful attention. “Painted Ocean” is not a book about yachts and sailing alone; it is also about life and peoples, which, as the author explains, are his main interest. It may be added that the print and binding of the book show the high standard of craftsmanship achieved by the Caxton Press. The proof-reader, however, was not on the alert at page 137.