NEW BOOKS

Evening Star, Issue 24079, 27 December 1941, Page 9

NEW BOOKS

WILLIAM RttLLESTON A H&TABLE PMK£ER Canterbury and Otago had some remarkable men among the pioneers, who did much to place the colony on a sound toot,nif. One of them was the Hon. Vvuham Rolleston, of Canterbury, who for many years occupied a conspicuous place m the counsels of the country. His life has been written by the Hon. iW. Downie Stewart in a book entitled ‘ William Rolleston: A ftew Zealand Statesman,' Mr Stewart has done valuable service in writing this account ot a man of indomitable and incorruptible character, who spent so large a part of his life in the service of the Stale. Naturally in a hook of this kind there are constant references to prominent parliamentary figures of Rolleston’s day, including Sir George Grey, Sir William Fox, Sir George Bowen, Sir John Hall, James Macandrew, John Uallanco, Kichard John Seddon, Sir Harry Atkinson, Sir Robert Stout, Sir Joseph Ward, and many others whose names are not even a memory to the young generation of to-day. To the student and to everyone who is concerned in the development of New Zealand this book will be full of interest. Rolleston was a graduate of Cambridge University, and almost from the day that he set his foot on New Zealand’s shores, in 1858, he was immersed in tile ■ political life of the country. He became superintendent of the province, and saw the provincial system to its close, hold various Ministerial posts in the Government, retiring from politics in 1898. Rolleston was a good administrator. Impart ni cuts in which he was specially interested were lands, education, .and .the Native question, on which he stood for. just treatment for the Maoris. In educational matters he played a .prominent part. His name is closely associated with Caulerbuiy College, the ‘.School of Agriculture, the Library, the Technical School of Science, and the Museum. In the words of Mr Stewart, he was one of the pioneers in bringing fibout our system ot free, seculai, and "compulsory education. He was a supporter of liberal land legislation. Rolleston was conscientious to the last degree. Some said he carried that quality too fur, and the effect was to make him a strong critic. Sir Julius Vogel said of him: “He is never pleased or satisfied with any party, with any person, with any section of the community or of the House.” Mr Stewart has given a well-balanced account of Rolleston s qualities and achievements. He appears as a man single-minded in his devotion to public duty, whose wisdom and foresight helped notably in developing the resources of this country. The publishers of the books are Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. FIVE MILES HIGH Narratives of high climbs have a neverending fascination for those men, young and old, to whom the call ot the mountains appeals. These adventures represent the highest phase of moral and physical endeavour. 1 Five Miles High, 1 by Robert H. Bates, is the story of an attack on the highest mountain in the world. It is known as K2 and is topped only by the mighty Everest. In 1909 the Duke of Abruzzi made his famous, ascent to 22,000 ft, and this remained a record for 3v2 until June, 1933, when two members of the American expedition reached 26,000 ft, the highest climb yet made save Everest. In ‘ Five Miles j High 1 the members of the parly collaborate in telling the story of this epic expedition. It is a thrilling tale of heroism, endurance, and splendid team work on the terrible ice slopes and unscaleablo precipices on a Himalayan giant. It should be an inspiriation to aspiring youth.