PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2389, 14 December 1899, Page 46

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The Windsor Magazine for November opens with a well-illustrated and interesting account of " Menelik and His Peonle," and on the same principle that causes' Rider Haggard's novels to have risen to a premium because he writes^>f Africa, even that remote coiner, the kingdom of Abyssinia, gains fresh interest. As usual there is abundance of fiction, including a further and final instalment of A Soots Grammar School," the concluding chapters of Crockett's "Joan of the Sword, and some good short stories with excellent illustrations. Of interesting articles there is no dearth, and among these we would specially draw attention to "The Shipping Centre of the World." The initial article of the Austral Light for November is one which, as its title explains, will find plenty of interested readers: "Catholics and Political Justice " is an interesting topic from either' point of view. There is nothing of special note in the general contents of the number if we except the very pregnant facts disclosed in an editorial note entitled "Goodbye, and God-speed." .From this it would appear that after eight years of publication, during which " Directors drew no .fees, the editorial staff gave their services free, and literary contributors with few exceptions presented their labours for the good of the cause." the publication must cease, with £500 oi unpaid subscriptions. It says much for the hopefulness of human nature that a small syndicate of Catholics has been formed to carry on the Austral Light under ne.w auspices. Tho December number of the Triad pre-

serits its readers with a musical supplement containing the song, " I love thee," by Edwd. .Greig, and the ancient favourite, Weber's last " Waltz." There are as usual some phptograpKic reproductions, and the editor gives his views on various matters, from, the dancing of a minuet at Wanganui to some remarkably droll poetry: amusing, and in some instances — say " French Justice," for example — witty, trifles render the Triad as " light as air."

The Christian Outlook offers some very profitable methods of utilising the holidays, ft announces this week no less than three prize competitions. The first is "The New Century Literary Competition," for stories and poems, for which ten valuable money and book prizes are offered. The second is a novelty. It is "The New Century Text Competition," for the most approbate texts for the first Sabbath of 1900. The third is another oT the series of competitions for new subscribers. Very numerous prizes are offered in this section. In addition to very valuable books, there is a silver watch, a silver watch chain, a gold or silver brooch, etc. Special provision is made for boys and girls, and most attractive inducements are held out to secure their entrance into the competitions. .