NOVELIST'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22615, 31 December 1936, Page 9

NOVELIST'S DEATH

MR. A. BALES NATIVE OF AUSTRALIA A SON IN AUCKLAND LONDON, Dec. 29 The death has occurred of Mr. A. GHales, bettor known as ' Smiler Hales." a famous Australian-born war correspondent and novelist. He served the cause of journalism in the Boer War, in Macedonia and in the Russo-Japanese War. I Mr. A. G. Hales was born in Australia in 1862, and began his journalistic career there. In the South African War of 1599-1901 he was the correspondent of a London newspaper. He was wounded and .taken prisoner by the Boers. War service again came his way in 1905 when he was present at some of the chief battles of the RussoJapanese conflict. Three different lines of work then occupied many years of his life. He toured England, America, South Africa and Australia as a lecturer. Throughout his travels, however, he studied the physical features of the countries through which he passed, particularly in regard to' mining. In the intervals of travel and biggame shooting Mr. Hales found time for writing poems and stories reflecting the impressions gained in his wanderings. He was notably successful with a series of books relating the adventures and opinions of a Scot whom he named McGlusky. Among his other books, all of which are quick-moving and entertaining, are "The Wanderings of a Simple Child," his first book, which was published in Australia, "Campaign Pictures," "Driscoll, King of Scouts," "The Great Betrayal," and "The Watch on The Tower." Mr. Hales' daughter and a son. Mr. Roy Hales, are living in AucMand und three other sons are in New/Zealand. One son is in the Solomon Islands. Mr. Roy Hales, who has not seen his father for 25 years, had intended to pay him a visit in England next February.