Books Worth Reading

I know an Island — a Romance of the South Seas, by Julian Hillas; published in London.

This is a first-class novel, with a South Seas setting and a plot on conventional lines. The young Englishman of good family goes to the Pacific in search of adventure, expecting to find there the things that are always expected in these circumstances. He meets, of course, the highly-educated half-caste Polynesian girl, loves her passionately and —because he is trained in the public school tradi tion—insists upon marrying her, and thereby involves himself in the usual social tangle. It is not a subtle plot; but action is quick and lively, dialogue is bright and clever, and the story presents in convincing fashion the atmosphere of Islands life.

The notable feature of the book is the manner in which the author deals with the half-caste problem and the relation ship between European men and Poly

nesian women. The subject is discussed in great detail, but we are brought no nearer to a solution of the problem. The characters of the typical South Seas trader. schooner captain, Catholic priest, Nonconformist missionary and immoral planter are mercilessly limned. Julian Hillas (Captain Julian Dashwood) lived for a considerable time on Rakahanga, in the Cook Islands, and his local color is true. Much of the action takes place on Tongareva—which is Rarotonga thinly disguised—and those of us who know that charming place will recognise many of the scenes and characters.

It is one of the few really worth while novels based on Pacific Islands life.

In Wild New Britain—the story of Ben jamin Danks, pioneer missionary, Rev. Benjamin Danks, one of the pioneer missionaries of the Methodist Church, in the Pacific, went to the Duke of York Islands (Bismarck Archipelago) with a number of Fijian teachers in 1878; and from that point he spread the influ ence of his Church all over the north-east

corner of New Britain. His earliest efforts were directed to the tribes which lived around Blanche Bay, and Mr. Banks, often accompanied by his devoted and heroic wife, and battling constantly against virulent fevers and heart-break ing discomfort, travelled on foot many times over the districts where Rabaul and Kokopo now stand. He carried on his work in various islands of the Pacific, but his main effort was directed towards New Britain, and, in the course of his long lifetime, he saw a great change take place in the character and disposition of the native people. He saw inter-tribal fight ing stop, cannibalism discontinued, the Germans come and go, and the final establishment of the Australian authority.

His great physical strength and indomit able spirit enabled him to overcome in credible difficulties, particularly in the early days of the Mission in New Britain.

He had many clashes with savage tribes men and equally dangerous white traders, but he came through unscathed and died in his bed early in 1921, greatly honored.

His diary has been carefully edited by his son-in-law, Rev. Wallace Deane, and this interesting book is the result. It is not only an inspiring contribution to the literature of the Pacific Missions—of which we have a great mass—but it is also a very valuable addition to the early history of the Bismarck Archipelago, and, as a book of reference, it should be In every library. It would have been more useful, however, if it had carried a map or two, and an index.

Our copy from Angus and Robertson, Ltd., Sydney. Price 6/-.

The Game Darrells, by Leslie Haylen.

Everywhere throughout the Pacific Islands one meets people who love the Australians and Australian social life, but jeer constantly at Australian politics and conditions incidental thereto. Such people will read this book with delight. It is simply the story of the rise, fall, and rise again of a typical Australian family.

They have a sheep station; then they are driven to a backblocks farm; they move on to live in a country town; and then the head of the family successfully enters politics and they live in Sydney. The story is commonplace, but the manner of its presentation introduces us to a new Australian writer of outstanding ability.

It is a quick-moving tale which scintil lates with humour, satire, and cynicism.

We read about ourselves; and led by this clever, cunning author we find ourselves laughing immoderately at ourselves and our funny politicians. There has been a flood of new Australian books by new Australian authors lately. This is one of the best of them. Some parts of it de serve to take a permanent place in Aus tralian literature.

Our copy from Macquarie Head Press, Sydney. Price 6/-.

Mrs. G. H. Davis, wife of the postmaster at Rarotonga, Cook Islands, arrived in Sydney during the month. Mr, Davis will visit Sydney, on long leave, early next year. * * * Captain C. R. Pinney, Administrator of Norfolk Island, accompanied by his family, and by Sir Hubert Murray (who has gone to N.I. on holiday) will arrive in Sydney at the end of January. * * * Rev. W. H. MacFarlane, who recently retired from Torres Straits after 17 years’ mission work there, has taken up secretarial duties at the Island office of the Australian Board of Missions. Mr.

MacFarlane’s new duties include a good deal of travelling.