BOOK-NOTICES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 61

BOOK-NOTICES.

• STATION BALLADS. By David M'Kee Wright. Dutaedin : J. G. Sawell (Wise's).

All' those leaders — and: they are many-*-who "have enjoyed the "Station. Ballads" which have from time to time appeared in the Witness over Mr Wright's signature will be glad to welcome this little volume. Wtlat Gordon, Paterson, and Lawson have done for Australia, Mr Wrigjfcfc bids fair to -do for New Zealand, bat in a different spirit altogether. There is a cheerful, hopeful riDg, an honest, manly tone about " Station Ballads " which bents the breezy, healthful air of our climate, the inspiration of our mountains, the sylvan beauty of our forests — it is the power of environment, possibly, quite as much as any personal tone which makes tbe contrast so strong between oar New Zealand poet and bis Australian brethren. Keen observation, power of expression, a sense of humour, fineness of detail, and, above and beyond all, a deep sense of love, honour, and (however colloquially expressed) religion mark these ballads on every page., .-i.For excellent humour commend us to " Our Correspondent." For word painting of extraordinary power and fidelity it would be bard to beat the quaint blank verse of " Over the Banger." In "So Long " there is very fine work. We wish that time and space permitted us to make tbe copious extracts which' strike us as so worthy of quotation. The verses which occopy the minor portion of Mr Wight's book contaiu some real gems of dainty and beautiful thought. Take r for example, the first of the two .Christmas carols — a' lovtly thing — and, again, ;the word-painting of " Winter in Central Otago " and the deep pathos of " The Mother." -

L The teohnfeal work, binding, printirg, &c, of the?.little. volume are very good and fit Ltto take a place on the list of daiaty Christmas presents which may- be sent to distant friends — nothing could be more admirably descriptive of our adopted land than are these "Soation Ballads."