New Publications

New Zealand Tablet, 20 September 1906, Page 19

New Publications

In connection with the- silver jubilee of St. Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill, Sydney, the « old boys' have issued the first number of their annual under the title of ' Cerise and Blue.' The object of i,he annual is to promote the interests of the college, and foster a spirit ~of union and good-fellowship among the past students of the institution. We have no doubt but that the objects aimed at will be attained, as the initial effort ' of the • old boys ' is high- - ly creditable, and < gives promise of even better things in the future. 'The literary contributions of the exstudents of the college to the magazine are of a high order of merit, and may be read with interest - and profit by many who are hot directly interested & in the welfare and progress of the school. To the • old boys ' themselves the most interesting article is, " no doubt, that entitled ' Reminiscences of the early days,' by Brother Basil, now of Christchuroh, whose connection with the college dates back to a time antecedent to its inauguration at Hunter's Hill. Brother Basil has much of interest to say about the early days of the (college, the students, and the pioneer Brothers. Much information regarding the careers of ex-students is given under the heading, ' Personal items.'- ' Cerise and Blue ' is well printed and illustrated, and is highly creditable to the editors. We have received from the publisher, Mr. James Hunter, Invercargill, a copy of • The Colonial Horses Doctor, 1 by Mr. A. M. Paterson, M.R.C.V.S., which * we think ought to be in" the hands of every farmer, and every person who has to do with horses, in the Colony. The chief object of the book is to assist the farmer in maintaining his horses in a state of health and usefulness, and to give him practical guidance in cases of emergency. There have been many more pretentious works dealing with horses published, but the majority are of too technical a character and too diffuse to 'be -of much use to the man who is not an expert. "In the work under notice there is nothing which cannot be easily understood by the merest tyro, In the first place there is an index of symptoms, and then follow clear and definite instructions, devoid of technical phraseology and scientific terms, as to the necessary remedies. Other features worthy of notice are the instructions for taking the pulse and temperature of the horse, "for measuring fluids, and the explanation of the- qualities and effects of the various drugs recommended. The work' should prove most' useful to farmers, especially those in remote districts where the services of a veterinary surgeon are not ~ easily procured, and when horses are taken- suddenly and seriously ill, and prompt measures are" necessary. In nearly every centre in the Colony there areRailway Leagues whose object is to press upon the - Government the necessity of constructing lines in their respective districts. No doubt some of the' lines advocated are requisite to cope with the advance of settlement and for the opening up of irhsettled coun- - try, whilst others have little to recommend them save political pressure and provincial' jealousy. The Government should long ago have resolutely declined to spend money on branch railways until such time as -the main ' trunk lines were finished. The North Island Main - Trunk Railway League; of Wellington, have issued 'a "* pamphlet, a copy of which has been forwarded to^us by Mr. J. Ilott, giving, a history of that undertaking since its inception in 1884. The League.'in- their remarks, are pretty, severe on successive Governments, for their dilatoriness in this matter, -and" contend, taking the progiess made since 1884, as a guide, that it will take nine years to link up Wellington and Auckland. Considering the strategic and economic nature of. the work it is to be hoped, that the League are - unduly pessimistic, and that a work of such prime importance to i>he whole Colony, and" more especially to the North Island, - will be- carried . on with a little more vigor in the future than in the past, and that the end. of 1909. will see the hopes of the ' League realised— Auckland and Wellington connected by railway.