"BANJO" PATERSON.

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1924, Page 9 (Supplement)

"BANJO" PATERSON.

FOUR NEW VOLUMES. Messrs Angus and Robertson, Ltd., liavc forwarded from Sydney, through. Mr F. W. Reed, Whangarei, four more volumes of their very acceptable Platypus Series, which now, by the way, bears the imprint of the "Cornstalk Publishing Company." These four books complete the Platypus reprint of A. B. Paterson's works—in all, two books of fiction and four of verse—and there are still, no doubt, many admirers of Paterson who will regard this as the most important section of what is a cheap and attractive little library. The poems account for three of the latest volumes—"The Man from Snowy River," "Rio Grande," mid "Saltbura Bill, J.P. " The remaining one. is the p.uthor's well-known novel, "An Outback Marriage." In this age of enlightenment most people probably know something of Paterson's charm, for he has been regarded for many years <s one of the most pleasing writers Australia has had. His work, both prose and verse, is full of the spirit of Australia—the Australia of the squatter, the cockatoo, and the swagger, the miner and the sportsman. He pictures with skill and understanding the land of great distances, the "Never Never" country with all its trials and disappointments, its droughts and disasters, anrr yet withal its unfathomable appeal. A keen observer, Paterson always went for his inspiration to the life that he found around him, and Tie interpreted it with rare sympathy. A droll storyteller, full of good-naturei*. fun. he was alwiavs regarded as a wonderfully pleasant companion when he went on his travels with has banjo, and his hooks are as companionable as he was himself. Those who have not read Paterson for some time and those wlio have not ! read him at all will alike find the new issue of his books thoroughly entertaining and interesting. Though the Platypus books are available at what is nowadays a very modest price, they are quite attractively got up and printed. . A special feature of these volumes is the reproduction on a fly-leaf of the coloured picture that adorns the " jacket." Renders who set. store by the ! "jackets." as some are reported to do, ' will be particularly pleased with this unusual concession to their taste. i