AUTHORS’ WEEK

Evening Star, Issue 22328, 2 May 1936, Page 21

AUTHORS’ WEEK

MISS HOWES'S PLAY ADDITIONS FOR PUBLICATION The presentation of Miss Edith H owes’s three-act play ‘ Rose Lane ’ in connection with the New Zealand Authors’ Week celebrations in Dunedin has led to many inquiries being made at tho Public Library and from booksellers as to whether its text would be published. To a ‘ Star ’ reporter this morning Miss Howes stated that as soon as she had made a few minor alterations and additions, which would make the play a little longer, she intended to send it to a publisher in tho hope of having it published. Miss Howes has already begun work on a new three-act play about Captain Cook, and she stated that she intended writing more New Zealand plays, because there was any amount of material at hand.

Appreciation -of the stimulating effect of New Zealand Authors’ Week upon tho sale of books by Now Zealand writers was expressed by Miss Howes, who also said that she was very grateful to the producers and all who had assisted to make tho staging of ‘ Rose Lane ’ so successful, more especially to the committee which had worked so hard behind the scenes. She was particularly appreciative of the efforts of the chairman of the committee (Mr A. G. Smith), who had the very bright idea of interesting all the dramatic societies in the work and getting a good cast from the combined societies. THOMAS BRACKEN'S WORKS A FIRST EDITION A copy of a first edition of Thomas Bracken’s works has been forwarded .to the ‘ Star ’ Office by Mr A. W. Stables. It was published in Dunedin in 1877 by Mills, Dick, and Co., and was given to Miss Jessie Logan (a sister-in-law of the late Sir Robert Stout) by the poet. It is entitled ‘ Flowers of the Free Lands,’ and is of more than ordinaryinterest, because Bracken has addressed a verse to Miss Logan in his own handwriting. It is:

May Christmas ever bring thee peace, For many long and pleasant years; May God’s best gifts with thee increase Unstained by grief, undimmed by tears, May loving angels guard and guide Thy step wherever thournay’st roam Until they call thee to abide With them in their Eternal, Horae. The verse was dated Christmas Eve, 1877.

Thomas Bracken was born on December 21, 1843, and died on February 16, 1898, a comparatively young man. He was an Irisnman, richly endowed with the gift of speech, but he is remembered more for his self-expression in verse than for his oratory. He landed in New Zealand in 1869, and at once took the rough track of colonial journalism (and rough it was nearly 70 years ago), joining the staff of the ‘ Otago Guardian.’ Subsequently he founded the ‘ Saturday Advertiser ’in Dunedin. Eventually he went to Australia to rush with thousands to the Goldfields. He made no fortune, but acquired a wealth of experience, and ‘ Dear Old Bendigo ’ and ‘ Rogers of Eaglehawk ’ were the offerings ho la'id on the altar of Australian literature.

After some yeax - s of Australian life Bracken returned to New; Zealand, and it was after that, in Dunedin, that he wrote his fine poem ‘ God’s Own Country.’ In 1881 Bracken plunged into the maelstrom of politics, and he was elected to represent Dunedin Central. It was during a parliamentary debate that he created a deep impression by reciting ‘ Behave Yourself Afore Folk.’ Some in the House shouted “ Sing it, Tom!” and he did, the common lawmakers joining in the chorus. Much of Bracken’s verse had a great Vogue. ‘ Not Understood,’ however, was the poem that brought him most fame. This poem received great praise from London reviewers, and although it passed through many editions, first copies are extremely rare. WORK OF N.Z. SCIENTISTS DISPLAY AT HOGKEN GALLERY Some conception of the valuable work done by New Zealand scientists can be gained from the special display arranged in the Hocken Gallery during New Zealand Authors’ Week. One section of the display lias been devoted to books on New Zealand bird life, and includes Sir Walter Buffer’s ‘ History of the Birds of New Zealand,’ ‘ Mutton Birds and Other Birds,’ by H. Guthrie Smith, ‘ New Zealand Birds,’ by W. R. B. Oliver, and Edgar E. Stead’s ‘ Life Histories of New Zealand Birds.’

It is interesting to note that the illustrations of Dr Oliver’s book are reproduced from original paintings by Miss L. A. Daff, now a member of the Museum staff.

Among works in botany included in the display are ‘ The Art Album of New Zealand Flowers,’ by Mr and Mrs E. H. Featon. and Mrs Charles Hetley’s ‘ Native Flowers of New Zealand.’ Examples are also on view of the scientific writings and drawings of Dr W. B. Benham and of the ethnological works of several graduates and teachers of Otago University. Added interest is given to the display by a collection of photographic studies of New Zealand scientists, historians, poets, and novelists. Tho display will be open to-morrow from 2 to 4 p.m.