RAILWAYS MAGAZINE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 935, 4 December 1933, Page 14

RAILWAYS MAGAZINE.

Interesting Reading for Holiday Period. Of course the spirit of Christmas comes into the December issue of the “New Zealand Railways Magazine.” In “The Spirit of Do-Cember,” that ingenious, versatile humourist, Mr Ken Alexander, gives care a big kick. In merry prose, verse and pictures he serves jests to put joy into the most dismal gloomster. Another salute to Yuletide is given by Mr Leo Fanning in “Christmas Old and New.” Mr James Cowan continues his historic series of “Famous New Zealanders” with a worthy chronicle of the adventurous lives of William Mair and Gilbert Mair, soldiers and pioneers. Another humorous railway story is well told by Mr Will Lawson. Continuing the popular narratives of “Famous New Zealand Trials,” Mr C. A. L. Treadwell shows how a murderer of the old goldrush days of the West Coast was found guilty. Another instalment of “The Wisdom of the Maori,” comes from “Tohunga” (a well-informed writer). All New Zealanders, particularly men who fought in the Great War, will be warmly interested in “The King of No Man’s Land,” by Mr M. S. Nestor, who vividly describes the marvellous feats of a famous New Zealander, Sergeant R. C. Travis, V.C., D.C.M., M.M., Croix de Guerre, one of the most romantic figures of the Western Front. Other features of general interest are New Zealand verse, short stories, scenic sketches, and “Shibli Bagarag’s” chat on books and writers. The special features for women and children are maintained at a high standard. More than thirty illustrations are distributed through the sixty-four pages.