PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Otago Witness, Issue 4066, 16 February 1932, Page 65

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Features of Everylady’s Journal for February’ are a chat about autumn modes, two interesting short stories, a serial—“ The Secret of Treseobell ” —and articles on beauty culture, exercise, fashions, dressmaking, cooking, and similar subjects of interest to women.

Pleasing photographs and interesting articles are to be found in the February number of the New Zealand Railways Magazine; “Railway Storekeeping in New Zealand,” “ The Battle for Transport,” “ Canadian-Pacific Enterprise,” “ Modern Magic of Train Control,” and “ History of Superheated Steam ” being worthy of special mention.

A handy little booklet is the Guide to the Press of the World, a publication issued by’ Messrs Wm. Daw-son and Sons, Ltd., and giving the names and annual subscription rates of more than 5000 of the w’orld’s newspapers arid periodicals. Every’ means toward making it comprehensible and easy to handle has been observed.

One of a series of articles on the scientific detection of crime—“ The Criminal Bomb-Throwers,” by Henry T. Rhodes—gives a description of the feud between science and the bombers, and makes interesting reading in the February issue of Life. A surprising true story —“ The Murder Trail ”•—is another feature in a magazine noted for its pleasing variety.

A new short story—“ Beauty Spots” —bv Rudyard Kipling, is a feature of theJanuarv Strand Magazine, in which Valentine Williams, Agatha Christie, A. J. Alan, Dale Collins, Edward D. Dickinson, and “ Sapper ” are other contributors of fiction. The articles are of a very interesting variety: “I Fail on the Films.” by Beverley Nichols”; “The Letters of Charles Dickens to his Oldest Friend,” and “ The Ghosts of Windsor Castle.”

“Gilbert and Sullivan Opera in Australia” is a very interesting booklet by Vinia de Loitte (Mrs Howard Vernon) dealing with the years between 1879 and 1931. Though published only towards the end of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera season in Sydney, it has already run into the third edition. Its usefulness as a guide is extensive, as it contains the first dates and casts in England, the premiers and principal revivals in Australia, with casts and dates, the story of each opera, and little anecdotes and personal experiences, as well as 25 illustrations. So far it is the only publication of such matter (with the exception of what has appeared in the daily press) on this side of the world.

From its exquisitely-designed cover, by Hera Roberts, to its last finished page of advertisements, the February number of the Home, “ the Australian journal of quality,” is stimulating, satisfying, and beautiful. Chiefly concerned with health and beauty, its articles and photographs are chosen with the care, of a connoisseur, the result being pleasing in the extreme. Here are not only charming women but’ men and children representative of health and beauty, while mannequins, models, and actresses in attractive poses add to the galaxy. The articles deal with such important subjects as exercise, care of the hair, makeup and diet, others away from the main subject of the magazine being on “ Paris,” “ Irises,” “ Moscow,” “ Gardens,” and “ Theatres.” There are also a story by Cecil Carter and a clever play by Patricia O’Rane—-altogether a feast of good things.

We are in receipt of the 1932 edition of the South arid East African Year Book and Guide (priced 2s 6d). The present edition contains for the third time a bibliography relating to South and East Africa, which have appeared during the last twelve months or so. They number about 150. A list is also given of cognate articles appearing in the journal of the Royal Geographical Society. The appreciation accorded to this feature has led to the inclusion of a list of the most interesting of the early works on South Africa. The 64 pages of maps in colour constitute the finest atlas of South and East Africa available, and plans of harbours touched at by the company’s boats are included in the text. It is hoped that the book will continue to play some part in assisting in the development of South and East Africa by providing the merchant, traveller, and prospective settler with detailed and reliable information con-

cerning these countries. As a gazetteer for office use the Guide is without a rival; the index contains over 2400 place names. Imports and exports, means of transport and the rapid growth in manufacture ar.e dealt with in considerable detail. For the immigrant or settler there are concise information on immigration, acquisition of land, land laws, agriculture, the mining industry, etc. For the sportsman the book gives the latest information obtainable on the habitats of game and the means of reaching the best hunting fields. An attempt is made to constitute this section a standard reference for the native names of the animals therein described. For the tourist, the descriptions of the towns and of the country, of the through routes and of the side connections are thorough and up to date. From Capetown to Port Said or from Angolaland to Nyasaland or Zanzibar, an endeavour has been made to give an answer to any question tiie traveller is likely to ask. An effort has also been made, by means of historical and other notes, to give an active interest in what is to be seen. For the invalid there are lengthy articles on climate, both general and' local, so embodied in the book as to aid the immigrant settler in choosing the situation and occupation best adapted to his special needs.