NOVELIST S ERROR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20109, 30 March 1928, Page 7

NOVELIST S ERROR

A SLIGHT EXAGGERATION “DEAD” HEBO STILL ALIVE (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, March 28. The novelist, Clifford Collinson who often witlessly immortalised Bondi. Coogee and Manly as the best surfbathing in the world described in the book “Life and Laughter Midst t-.e Cannibals” how “that splendid fellow Captain Baxter Nicholson, one of lhe district officers of the Solomon Islands, blew out his brains in Melbourne. ’ ’

Mr Collinson's telephone rang on Monday morning and a voice said, “This is Nicholson speaking.” Air Collison: “What, not t chap who committed suicide in Afclbourne?” Air Nicholson replied: ‘Yes, ”I’m the one.” .®

Air Collison: “Well, where are you speaking from?”

Mr Nicholson: ‘That very earthy spot known as Bayswater.”

Both had a hearty laugh, exploding the romance woven around the supposed evil spell of the native devil totem which Air Collinson possessed. Air Nicholson disclosed that he had been in the motoring business in Nlclbourne and Adelaide during the last two years. He was offered a job at Rabaul, but thought London more attractive.

The pair arranged to revive the South Seas romance at an early West End lunch party.