A STORY OF NEW ZEALAND LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12269, 13 May 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

A STORY OF NEW ZEALAND LIFE.

[from our own correspondent.] London, April 11. " ' The Lucky Shot' is not a shilling shocker, but a pleasant little story of New Zealand life," says a London paper of a new book just out. " The plot turns on nothing much ; simply the reckless resolve of a new chum to recover his uncle's stolen stallion from a predatory Maori. Into this Mr. Elkingtou has introduced a bright New Zealand girl, and he has succeeded in weaving a most readable and interesting story. The writer retails nothing at second-hand. He has seen and enjoyed everything he describes, and writes of bush scenes and incidents with a relish that is most refreshing. He has realised the fact that in colonial life the bank manager is the arbiter of the destinies of most men, and consequently of most women. Therefore, the heroine and her father live in dread of the visit, not of bushrangers or a cigarette-smoking villain, but of a plain, business bank manager, who is reluctantly compelled to foreclose. The last chapter represents the said bank manager smoking the pipe of peace with his client, very much relieved to find that the main asset on which money had been advanced (the stallion, to wit) had been recovered. Mr. Elkington has grasped the essentials for the construction of a colonial ;tory. The fact that he has here and there blundered in 'details is probably due to haste in writing, and, so far from detracting from the merit of his story, rather adds to the zest of it. He speaks of the nekau (sic) bearing 'a fruit similar to the English cabbage,' and tells adventures of a rushing cow in a manner that irresistibly recalls Mark Twain's famous essay on the ' He-She-Cat.' Such trifles, however, are easily avoided; but it is not given to everyone to tell a story so well as tht> writer of 'The Lucky Shot.' He has the saving grace of humour, too, and even better work may be expected, of him iu the near future." •