THE REVIEWER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16366, 3 March 1921, Page 6

THE REVIEWER.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. “ The Typists’ Vade Meeura.” by Margaret B. Owen. (London: Stanley Paul and Co., Ltd.) One of a series of neat little vade mecums. It contains the fruito of long and varied experience. Miss Owen is the world’s champion typist, and Mrs Smith Clough, who contributes special chapters on. setting out in, all branches of typewriting, has taken first place in three national typewriting and shorthand contests- Intended primarily for girl typists and stenographers, it gives practical advice on every phase of such a girl’s office life, showing the lines upon which she may become a perfect amanuensis and not a mere stenographer. Among the subjects discussed are fingering and tho cure of weaknesses, transposition errors, punctuation (a bugbear to many typists), keeping the machine in order, changing ribbons, touch and sight writing (all world’s championships are ! held by “touch” writers), speed contests. Samples are given of practice paragraphs, and a list of 500 words probably most in common use. There are hints on the proper carrying out of office work, letter filing, the use of the telephone, hints for typists in doing law and literary work- The carefully detailed instructions on setting-out in and company work, specifications and for duplicating in the special chapters contributed by Mrs Smith dough are exceptionally useful. The care of the hands and eyes, and of the typist’s general health is insisted upon, and directions tor ensuring fitness are given. This little book tells the aspiring typist exactly what she ought to know, and if the directions arc followed with anything like intelligence the student is sure of success“At Starting Price,’’ by Nat Gould. (London: John Long.) The last of this very popular writer’s racing stories is apparently not yet in sight. And Nat Gould has won an immense public that never tires of his straightforward tales of doings m which the noble animal figures extensively at the beck of a variety of persons, some of whom are considerably less noble than he or she. The stories are simple in construction ; there are always the hero, the villain or villains, and a love vein. As tho genus bookmaker is now being wiped out in this Dominion, future readers may be glad to learn from “ At Starting Price,” what the business was like. A big London, bookmaker, with a charming daughter, is the moving spirit. “The Maker of Pearls,” t>y S. W. Powell. (Sydney: N.S.W. -Bookstall Co.. Ltd.) In a little cove on the coast of Tahiti a Sydney professor carries to a successful issue experiments in the direction of persuading oysters to produce pearls when he desires- Professor Bannister is not at all anxious to make money; his aim is the advancement of science. Of course his discovery is a bombshell in the ranks of the pearl merchants, and they devote considerable energy to staving off, by hook or by crook, the ruin it seems likely to bring them. Bannister has earned the somewhat embarrassing attentions of a (pretty Island girl by saving her from the advances of an amorous Chinaman; also he becomes an object of interest to a young Sydney typist, who is spending a holiday in Tahiti. There you have the elements of some sensational doings and Mr Powell does not disappoint m his working out of the adventures of the professor. The story is told in pleasing style, with more than a suggestion of humour. If this be Air Powell’s first attempt at fiction he is to be congratulated on good and promising work. The illustrations are by Percy Lindsay. t Clydesdale Stud Book. Vol. 42. Those interested in stock-breeding will welcome this issue of a well-known standard work. As it is a volume of over 1209 pages the statement made at the outset that it contains the largest number of entries ever published in one volume is probably correct. Photographs are reproduced of the winner of the Cawdor Cup and the cup for mares and fillies; the rules regulating admission into the stud book, a list of breeders, -with, the names and descriptions of their produce; list of mares, wfith their progeny, and of fillies numbered for export; a list of stallions, with the districts travelled by them in 1919; the roll of members of the Clydesdale Horse Society, corrections of errors in previous volumes—these are the contents. There are useful indexes, and there is evidence of the taking of great pains to make this a complete record and a most useful reference book. Chambers’s Journal, November.— Tho lost Highlanders of Wolfe and what they did in Canada, Radium and Radio-Activity, Veiled Ivafiristan (timely apropos of Bolshevik activities), The Countess of Morley (a clever correspondent of Jane Austen's), British Flux for British Linen (with a not© of encouragement to New Zealand growers of phormium tonax), the Fox, th© Effect of Bleep on Plants, Thomas Bewick—these are some of the subjects of articles. Tho interesting Recollections of a Naval Secretary continue, and Bart- Kennedy gives the foc’sle point of view as he knows it—incidentally ho opines that Sailors’ Homes do not fill the bill for Jack ashore with well-lined pockets, and there is a good description of a shikar resulting in a hag of a brace of tigers. R. S‘. Warren Bell contribues a detective story, “ The Blairs’ Rope,” which, though not a hanging matter, is exciting. Chambers’s Journal Christmas Number.—A budget of good things. “ The Recollections of a Naval Secretary ” deal with the Cape and West Africa in the eighties when th© land-grab was on. The wealth of Colombia in gold and platinum offers an alluring prospect, and Mr R- B. Spain gives valuable information to intending seekersNew Zealanders will b© interested in a sketch of Fiji, its history, development and resources, by the late Governor ; the need of imported labourers is stressed. Reminiscences of “ Farmer George ” give illustrations of King George Ill.’s possession of th© exceptional faculty for remembering that has distinguished so many of his family and of his exceptional ability ; Erskino referred to him as a ,e damned close .fellow.” Other subjects of articles are A Business Man of Tudor Times (Kytson, of Heijgrave), One Hundred Years Ago (Indian reminiscences which, inter alia, pay a fine tribute to the Gurkhas), The Rabbit (the eighth of Mrs Batten’s interesting British Wild Animals Series), New Oil from Old (the saving of formerly wasted oil by the application of dry heat and centrifugal Force—a most important invention today). Books and Reading (Henry Leach’s delightful essays). Instinct (an account of a newspaper correspondent’s uncanny foresight for “ scoops ”). The fiction, besides the usual batch of good stories, has five extra ones. Ho is hard to please who can find nothing to hold his. interest here- ** Stead’s Review,” January 22. The New Zealand _ Notes contain a candid friend’s criticism of the administration of the New Zealand educational system ; centralisation is condemned. Lord Leverhulme, “benevolent deHpot ” and “ soap baron,” is appreciated and his sayings are quoted ; it is objected that in his realm, Port Sunlight-,, he insists upon control being vested in whoever provides the capital. The editor evidently does not believe in there being any privilege attached to paying the piper. 'Phe question of the administration of the Lunacy Laws in Australia is discussed: (he allegations made, if true, are calculated to make to think.