Nine N.Z. Explorers

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30206, 10 August 1963, Page 3

Nine N.Z. Explorers

Pathfinders in New Zealand. By Garry Hogg. Robt. Hale, Ltd. and Whitcombe and Tombs. 189 pp. Index.

The story of New Zealand’s discovery and exploration is particularly rich in tales of heroic adventure and of the exploits and experiences of individual sailors and pioneers. In this book, Garry Hogg presents a selection of nine individual achievements beginning with the first sighting by Tasman of “a large land, uplifted high” and finishing with an account of that remarkable pathfinder, Charles Douglas—John Pascoe's “Mr Explorer Douglas"—who died just half a century ago. Throughout the emphasis is upon exploration, and between these two men the book describes the visits of Captain Cook and Marion du Fresne, the travels of two missionaries, the Rev Samuel Marsden and of the Rev. Henry Williams, the ascent of Mount Egmont by Dr. Ernst Dieffenbach, Thomas Brunner’s great journey down the West Coast, and A. J Barrington’s exploration of the complicated mountain country west of Wakatipu. The achievements of these men undoubtedly stand out as milestones along the route of splendid achievement, yet the reader will regret that there has not been space to include others.

Garry Hogg is an Oxford graduate who after leaving teaching for journalism has now forsaken the writing of travel books (he has nearly 40 to his credit). His style is lively, his scholarship is accu- ! rate, and throughout his experienced pen captures the personalities of his “characters” as well as the atmosi phere of places in bygone days His aim has been to (describe the special objec-

tives of each of these nine dedicated men, the hardships and frustrations they endured, the agonies many of them suffered and the triumphs each secured. Each chapter includes frequent excerpts from the actual diaries of the explorers (in the case of the not-so-well-remembered Barrington the quotations are from Barrington's own narrative published in the "Lake Wakatipu Mail” in 1863). Each of these great men was as much a pioneer in the search for knowledge as for new country, and the variety, depth and liveliness of their authentic voices transmit to the reader something of the restlessness and curiosity, courage and tenacity which motivated each This book, like the companion volume, “The Overlanders," which deals in just as lively a fashion with the nineteenth - century opening up of Australia, is intended for the general reader, and will provide many hours of informative entertainment. At the same time serious students will also enjoy this excursion into popular history. There is nothing new in the book—throughout the author has relied upon pre-viously-published works, and documentation is almost entirely lacking Yet Garry Hogg's admiration for the men in this book is genuine and he has used his vivid gift for evoking the past with sincerity, accuracy and decided ability.

“I have visited Moscow 11 times On my recent visit all doors were open to me I had talks with four out of five top people 1 didn't, of course, meet my opposite number." —Mr Harold Wilson. Leader of the Opposition, speaking to the Rotary Club of London.