OUR OWN COUNTRY’S AUTHORS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 133, 29 February 1936, Page 23

OUR O W N COUNTRY’S AUTHORS

' We are only a young country yet. an'l have produced little literature beyond text-books upon many and various subjects. However, the leading authority on Maori lore. James Cowan, has written Anany books of legends and stories, also articles, which arc delightful. Some • tinnes.one.rcads fierce Maofi chiefs, of their adventures from boyhood to death, of their hardships and skill, in battle. ' One is also told of brave pioneers, many of whom gave their lives for “our own country.” He also tells about popular , scenic resorts, and little out-of-the-way . places that he has visited. By. reading his talcs, we learn more about New Zealand. and we lenrn to understand the Maori race inb’eh better. ( To Nelle M. Scanlon goes the honour of writing fin my opinion, at loasth thrno-of the ino-f interesting books about Aotea-roa. “Pencarrow,” “Tides of Youth.” nnd "Winds of Heaven." te.l . the story’ of an interesting family for' two • or three generations. In nil three hook* is a New Zealand background, and I was rather astonished to even read about the Napier earthquake of 1031 —“Nonnie .the Gnome” (14). Napier. . ' One of the best and most recent hooks on New Zealand is a novel by John Guthrie called “The Little Country.” Mother has been reading it. and tells me it is a book T must read as soon as I nm old enough.— -Jacqueline. Oliau.