OVERSEAS ANGLERS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1927, Page 8

OVERSEAS ANGLERS

ATTRACTION OF DOMINION. Auckland, Jan. 4. “I have come to New Zealand' to rust and. to fish, but I do not intend to catch sharks,” eaid Major Bernard Hamilton, soldier, writer and sportsman, of England, who arived in Auckland this morning, For many years Major Hamilton has had a reputation as an historical novelist. Twenty-five years ago he wrote three notable books, and then put writing aside and took up residence in Sussex, where he shot, hunted and fished. He has now taken up the pen again, and has published recently an historical novel, entitled “The Giant,” which is meeting with great success at Home.

“Although I publish in the same house as ,” he said, mentioning the name of a famous writer whose works, based on history, have a tremendous vogue, “I am opposed to his methods. I am opposed to careless historical fictionists. My belief is that an historical novel should be based on facts, and that a writer should not' make the facts fit the story/” “The Giant” is based on the French Revolution, and Danton, of course, figures most prominently. This book required a tremendous amount of research, but its accuracy, according to Major Hamilton, has been recognised at Home by the schools, where it is being lised for its educational value. Another line followed by Major Ham ilton is psychic thought, or psychology, in its proper sense,and in his views lie favours Sir Oliver Lodge, and is against Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A book expressing Major Hamilton’s theories, called “One World at a Time,” will be published in March. “I claim to be an authority on my subject,” he said. “As a young man I was one of the founders of the Theosophical Society in England, but when Annie Besant came into it 1 left it.”

Speaking of New Zealand’s fishing attractions, Major Hamilton stressed the fact that the monetary side of the sport had to be considered. “If people are to be attracted to the Dominian a special rate should be struck for steamer fare and everything included, in the trip,” he said. “I am told that prices for sportsmen go up as soon as you leave Auckland. I shall come here again if it isn’t too expensive.” Major Hamilton added that he thought the Government had acted unwisely in increasing the tax l for inland (trout, etc.) fishing. Amongst other well-known fishermen who arrived by the Marama to-day was Mr. W. C. Wentworth, of Sydney, who in 1923 caught the then record swordfish of C‘23lb in the Bay of Islands. The members of his party at Russell will be Mr. E. P. Andreae, of Sydney, whose mako shark of 6501 b established another record. Mr. James Burns, of Burns, Philp, and Co., and Colonel T. Routledge, of Sydney. The expedition will be joined next month by Sir Thomas Bridges, Governor of South Australia.