A NEW ZEALAND POET.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1898, Page 2

A NEW ZEALAND POET.

Mr. Arthur H. Adams, late of the Evening Post staff, and now literary secretary to Mr. J. C. Williamson, will shortly publish in Sydney a volume of poems, representing the best of his work of recent years. In this connection Mr. 'Adams has received a highly complimentary letter from Mr. A. G. Stephens, assistant editor of the Sydney Bulletin, conductor of the well-known Red Page of that paper, and an acknowledged authority in literary matters. The text of the letter is as follows :—: — Dear Mr. Adams — I have just been looking through the material for your volume of Maoriland poems, and getting it in order for publication about Christmas, and I find my previous high opinion of the work in every way confirmed. Some of the poems give me that indescribable thrill — that " little wiggle down the spine," as Brunton Stephens phrases it — which is, after all, one's best personal assurance of what is good in the domain of verse, I defy any intelligent MaorUander to read "Maoriland, my Mother" and not feel so inspired. You will unquestionabty rauk as chief Maoriland poet uutil a greater comes along. Thomas Bracken's vogue was based on his talent for gilding familiar human sentiment. He sometimes phrased his sentiment tolerably ; but his work is always commonplace in tone and touch. Domett, on, the other hand, though his achievement is weightier aud far bulkier than 3 r ours, was almost destitute of the power of conveying warm poetical emotions. His verse is clever and interesting, but never thrilling, and I hold to the "thrill" as essential. Whatever leaves you cold is not poetry — for 3'ou — however admirable, however skilled. I have little doubt that Maorilanders will think as I do in this matter, and that your book will have a good sale as well as a warm critical welcome in your " Land of the Moa and Maori, garlanded green with her forests of kauri." So with best hopes and regard, Believe me faiLhfully, (Signed) A. G. Stephens.