New Books

INTERESTING and intimate sketches of native life in Papua are given in

“Papuan Journey”, By H. L.

Hurst. Mr. Hurst is secretary of the London Missionary Society in Austra lia and he makes periodical visits to the Islands mission field. When he made his first visit to Papua, he set down his impressions—and they are the impressions of a widely-travelled man, who has visited the natives of many countries —in a series of letters; and those letters, gathered together, form the new book. It is pleasant reading, whether one knows the country or one does not; but, because it carries much description of village life, under conditions which are changing rapidly, it has a certain

scientific value. Our copy from the pub lishers, Angus and Robertson, Ltd., Sydney; price, 3/6.

In “Island Interlude”, The Au

thor (Stuart McDonald) has taken a beautiful island off the North Queens land coast; has added thereto a retired pearler and his pretty daughter; has cunningly introduced a handsome stranger (who has been washed up on the beach and found, of course, by the beautiful daughter) and a bunch of Australian villains; has discovered a hidden store of valuable pearls; and has garnished the lot with turquoise-blue sea, coral gardens, tropical love, and a setting of brilliant vegetation and lan guorous sunshine. It is a quick-mov ing tale, with plenty of incident —crime, passion, romance, and sheer, dirty plot ting—and it is written in an attractive fashion. Our copy from Deaton and Spencer Pty. Ltd., Sydney; price, 6/-.