Miscellany

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30200, 3 August 1963, Page 3

Miscellany

The Half-Gallon Jar. By Hori. A. D. Organ, Ltd. 98 pp.

This delightful booklet comprises a series of 24 vignettes describing episodes in the life of North Island Maori, Hori, -Hoti's world is bounded by his family, his home, garden, the factory where he W’orks. his VB. pipis. mussels, crayfish claws and pig trotters. It is not a big world, but it is full of fun and happiness The author in real life, W. N. McCallum, of Remuera, has a gift for economy of words. Hori’s easy-going outlook is contrasted with the pakehas’ propensity to worry, but without malice. Indeed, it is Hori’s good nature, even towards his mother-in-law who is a nagger and his brother-in-law, a bludger, that appeals. Cartoons, by Frank Bruno, add greatly to the fun.

Earthquake. By Allen Andrews. Angus & Robertson. London. 208 pp.

With no reference whatever to sources of information a dramatised version is given of a dozen earthquake disasters that have a place in history. Presumably newspaper reports were analysed to provide the author's story of San Francisco. Tokyo. Dan-Isfahan arid Agadir, but of Lisbon. Port Royal and Calabria the chapters read like fiction. Destruction and horror dominate them all. There is interest in the demonstration of the importance of law and order after a disaster. San Francisco (19061 is described as the most organised in defeat, whereas Messina <l9OBl of similar intensity, developed into anarchy in the ruins. There is a readable account m one short chapter of why earthquakes happen. The final example of havoc wrought ty an unquiet e-srth is that: of Napier, 1931. In discussing the most active earthquake belt of the world, encircling the Pacific. the author contends that earthquakes, already a menace in New Zealand. are likely to become more serious as population centres increase in size I