A HAPPY TRAVELLER

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 90, 12 October 1929, Page 21

A HAPPY TRAVELLER

'■Joy of the Road." ,By Elsie K. '■ Morton., Auckland: Wilaon aud Horton, Ltd. (A second book of "Now Zealand Life and Travel."1

After finding much that is delightful Along-the Koad," tho writer of this charming book finds that she is impelled to /write of the "Joy of: the Koad," and thoso who have any doubts of the many happy things that are to bo found along the pathway or life should givo themselves the pleasure of theso books. Part of the pleasuro of the recent book is undoubtedly the beautiful photographs, takon by tho author, aud which illustrate and decorate at tho same time. Tho book is dedicated to-the memory of Miss Morton's brother, Captain Alfred B. Morton/ New Zealand Staff Corps, and after this announcement follows in brackets the words ("Quinn's Poat, Gallipoli, 1913"). Wellington is dealt with very kindly in tbe book, for the writer gives a wonderful description of "Karon Heights" once in a storm, where the world" was in a tumult of grand misery, and then again in peaco and quiet boauty, where Evans Bay, Miramar, Day's Bay, Wainui, tbe Tararuas and Kimutakas, and away out to sea beyond Pencarrow arc given descriptive work of a high order. Then at the end of the book there is a "gem" chapter entitled "Until Beveille," which is teautiful and-touching to a degree, and deals with the Soldiers' Memorial Cemetery at Karori. "Until Reveille." "Tho brief inscription on a little marble tablet at tho foot of a narrow grave," says Elsie Morton, "expresses in two words the spirit,of peace, of faith, and-hope triumphant that broods over, tho Soldiers' Memorial Cemetery at Karori. Other inscriptions many there are on tho graves, but none that fits in so perfectly with the quiet, hallowed beauty, i'tho atmosphere of gracious repoßO that lies within that little cemetery beneath the Wellington hills. ... Backed by. the shadow-swept hills, lit with golden- sunshine, the little ■ eemotery is a place for tender thoughts and a quickening of the spirit.'. . . So-quiet it is, with the tall fir-trees mumurming softly overhead, the :scent of autumn flowers in the-air, and the rise and fall of a lavlt?s song high up in the blue fields of the sky ... a place above all others whore the great messages of Anzac and of Easter- take:on, a : new and .living meaning." These few.quotations will bWiw the beauty of thought and language which are shown throughout this boolt. The ..writer rises,.to great heights descriptively ijn. the chapters, about tho wonderful "giants of the South,"- tho Southern' Alps, the glaciers, the chains of mountains,- and again is full of charm, in what she writes about tha lakes, and makes' a very fine' chapter on "Berry Month in Westland." This latter is a county which has not had much justice done it hitherto, but no one could fail/to-want to visit it after hoaring of its many beauties. Then Miss Morton discourses 'of many ■ things—of the- "King's Ships;" of the "Five G'Clbck. Boat," of "When the Maoris come to Town," of "Courtship," again of "These. Moderns" sometimes gently humorous, always kind, and with a gracious appreciation of the work and lives of other people which is most refreshing. Briefly: the readeristaken" "Across the Tasman," and there justice is don,e to the Blue Mountains, the Wonders of Jenolan, and to many of the beauties or. Sydney .and Melbourne. Those who live -in. New Zealand will enjoy-the book because of its.sincerity and-true appreciation of.a wonderful little country, and those who live' outside and have the joy'of reading it—will surely wish to "behold: and see that- tho-half nas-not-beeatoM."—MiH'.C, •