Books Reviewed

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume XXIII, Issue 1237, 10 October 1924, Page 3

Books Reviewed

“The Drugh'er of the Dawn, (by Reginald Hodder, — (Hodder and Stoughton). “Tbo Dmghter of tho Dawn," the promised one of an ancient Maori tribe, tbo quest of whom leads far beyond the realms of c vilisation, is the subject of this enchanting rominoe, 'he most remarkable ever penned on Maori lore and magic, and one which should take i's place among the foremost romances of the day. Tho author, familiarly known as “Ake, ’ lived for many years as a hermit in the Bush, and his quest in search for the Daughter of the Diwu takes one far beyond civilisation —here incidents occur in the King Country which will increase one’s interest in the story. Miriam Grey sails from England to join her betbrothed in Wellington Here they met and were duly married and later departed for Wuka'u, now known as Nelson. However, the fact was proved that they actually left there, but what happened en route is wrapped in mystery. Miriam Grey, it has been discovered, is heiress to a large for. tune, so a firm of solicitors send out a representative to search for them. Then commeuc-s a long trail of perilous adventures right into the heart of the bush among a race of Maori chiefs who alone the secret of their disappearance. Great conflicts among these warriors follow ; secrets of tbeir age are disclosed to the reader as he gains an entrance to their guarded temples. One cannot skim the pages of this remarkable romance, but every detail into the Great unknown bush will be read with interest, until the mystery of the disappearance of Miriam Grey and her husband are disclosed.

“ The Old Frontier.” Mt James Oman has such a Dominion reputation as an authority on early Maori history, that any c mmendation cf the author of “Toe Old Frontier” (Waipa Post Publishing Co.) would be quite superfluous. Hit inimite knowledge of tbe surround ing circums'anoas c mnected with the Wa'kito War, and bis personal experiences, are sufficient guarantees of he accuracy of hb statements, while the story itself is set out in the mr st r >adable style of tbe author. To readers resident in tbe King Country, the book, which is well printed and profusely illustrated, will always be of especial interest, and we may well anticipate that it will always find a place in most of the homfe—present and future—of that territory of which this most entertaining boi k treats. Apart from the historical, Mr 0 wan is also qualified to speak autboritatively of tbe customs and traditions f the Maori, and he throws an illuminating picture of the ancient beliefs and habits of this interesting race.