Untitled

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 10

“Scream of the Reel” edited by Jack Pollard, is an anthology of New Zealand and Australian writings about fishing, with pieces by visitors to these fishing waters, such as Zane Grey Some or the more extraordinary fishing feats are recorded here, and there is no reason to presume an imaginative basis tor them. Indeed, some of the many photographs in the book are as extraordinary as some of the feats. There are touches of humour in some of the stories, but the book’s lighter side is carried chiefly by cartoonists’ work that records the foibles of fishermen and their prey. A. H. and A. W. Reed have published a book which others than fishing addicts will find full of interest.

dead. The reviewer must oppose this as it is surely a fact that events determine language, not vice versa. A further worry is that most of us in this world of cause and effect are of the opinion that there must be a sufficient cause to account for any effect. One cannot see that in this work Jesus is in any essential way superior to Socrates or Buddha. This makes one ask why should this person Jesus, who lived 2000 years ago, be able to trigger off these experiences in subsequent ages in history? •Surely this is a fact full of wonder, demanding a greater explanation than that given by our author. That Professor Geering can accept so easily this fact as given, without raising the question of how it can continue to be given, baffles your reviewer. A final reflection refers the reviewer to the saints in the history of the Church who tell us of their close association with God. In this association they assert that the risen Christ both addresses them and sustains them. This they maintain is echoed in the worship forms of the early Church, and has continued to be so in the history of the Church. One does not feel that Professor Geering sees this factor as of any importance. Here, one thinks, is the difference which distinguishes the mind of Professor Geering from the traditional mind of the Church. He seems merely to proclaim a system of knowledge, which gives one a sense of peace and of purpose. The masters of the spiritual life, on the other hand, tell of a God who breaks into our personal lives and precipitates a response of worship. This is preeminently evident in the contemplation of the Resurrection by the saints, and conspicuously absent in this work. Greenstone The Story ol New Zealand Jade. Commonly known as greenstone. By G. L. Pearce. 109 pp. Collins. The publication of a second book on New Zealand jade or greenstone so soon after Russell J. Beck’s volume (with an almost identical title), inevitably invites comparison. Mr Beck is a geologist specialising in mineralogy, Mr G. L. Pearce is a retired teacher with interests in history and linguistics and so it is not surprising that his attractively-produced and well-illustrated book concentrates more on the history of man’s use of jade than on its geological origins and location. Mr Pearce has already written a book on the history of the Maori people and has much to contribute on Maori legends concerning greenstone and on its early use in this country. Archaeological research has established that it was not until about 1350 that a few greenstone artefacts began to appear in Maori campsites and burial grounds. It is assumed that the people of the Ngatiwairangi tribe first began to exploit greenstone and by the time of the first European contacts, the use of greenstone had penetrated into and influenced almost every part of Maori life and thought. Pakeha interest in prospecting for gold and jade led to an initial rapid exploitation, but this slackened off and it was not until World War n and the influx of Americans into New Zealand that there became a new awareness of the value of this country’s greenstone. The development of greenstone articles over the past twenty years has been closely linked with that of the tourist industry and now 90 per cent of greenstone items sold in New Zealand are bought by visitors from overseas. The resurgence of interest in greenstone and its scarcity has led to a marked increase in the price offered to prospectors. Lapidaries are now prepared to pay up to $2O a pound for gem quality nephrite greenstone. But modem saws and drills can do in minutes, work which took the Maori craftsman weeks of work with slate, flint-tipped drill And sand. Mr Pearce’s book is illustrated with a range of striking coloured photographs together with drawings and maps, and there is an index, bibliography, a time chart and appendices. One questions whether there is a demand for two separate volumes on a subject of limited appeal such as greenstone. Perhaps collaboration would have been the answer?