"LAWLESS DAYS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 7 (Supplement)

"LAWLESS DAYS."

STORY OF ADVENTURE. In her latest advonturo story, " Lawless Days," Mona Tracy contiues a work no other New Zealand author has yet attempted—tho presentation in story form for boys and girls, of epoch-making episodes that flare liko a beacon-light in the records of New Zealand's early days. In her first book of this adventure series, " Rifle and Tomahawk," Mrs. Tracy gavo young New Zealand a thrilling account of the fortunes of a pioneering family overwhelmed in the tragedy of the To Ivooti Rebellion. In " Lawless Days " she takes the period of the early whaling lays, and recounts the adventures of Dick Arden and Betsy Morell. Dick is tho only survivor of a party that sets forth trorn tho Currency lass, a convict ship from Hobart Town to get spars at Waihou Bay, and is massacred by the Maoris. The natives then siy. tire to the ship, and Betty und Dick befriended by a young Maori, make their way inland. Dick returns to Hobart Town, is kidnapped and taken to the terrible South'rd Isles by a sealing ship. With an Irish lad ho escapes; they make their way back to New Zea land, only to meet with disaster and capture once more. The adventures of the two lads, tho final reunion with Betsy, and tho meeting with the pioneer missionary, tho Rev. Samuel Marsden, are described most realistically, the story ending with tho sailing of the mission ship Active for Sydney Covo. Tho book portrays vividly, realistically, tho romance and tragedy of bygone days, and it should find its way into every New Zealand homo where there aro boys and girls. Its publication at tho Christmas gift season is particularly appropriate. " Lawless Days," by Mona Tracy (Whitcombe and Tombs.)