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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 10 (January 1, 1937)

Among the Books — A Literary Page or Two

page 62

Among the Books
A Literary Page or Two

The year just completed was a record one for New Zealand authors, more books being published at home and abroad than ever before. At the present moment I know of at least half a dozen novels in preparation or just completed by New Zealand writers, and in addition quite a number of books of general interest are in course of construction. Of course, how many will be eventually published is another matter. One thing I would strongly advise writers against, and that is where a publisher is not prepared to take the risk of publication, for the author to have his work published at his own expense. After all, where a book is rejected by, say, three or four publishers, the author is courting disaster if he decides to go ahead and take the risk himself. Reputable publishing houses simply will not accept publication at author's risk. Frequently therefore the author goes to some obscure publisher and more often than not the book is a failure.

* * *

Now, what does it cost to print an average novel? Writing to me from Australia some time ago a friend of mine in the publishing game told me that in England a novel, say, of approximately 300 pages, printed in eleven point, with twenty-nine lines to the page and with an edition of 1,500 copies, would involve approximately £300 to pay all publishing costs, pay 10 per cent, to the author and leave a profit of 16 2/3 per cent, to the publisher on all costs. That would mean an average wholesale price of 4/- per copy and a retail price of 6/-.

The interesting details of this estimate are as follow:—
296140£sd.
Composition4626
Machining15106
Paper18180
Binding3600
Brasses for Cases1120
Jacket12110
Author's Corrections600
Advertising6000
Postage, etc.1000
Royalties4000
Profit5000

I understand Australian and probably New Zealand costs run fairly close to the above figures. Australian publishing houses reckon they must clear 1,500 copies to show even a small nett profit.

* * *

The first impression on opening a booklet of verse “Dunedin and Other Poems,” by Samuel Hulme Bridgford, is that the printers (Thomas Avery & Sons, New Plymouth) have made of it a job of appealing artistry. I note that as a prelude to his poems the author quotes Mary Webb: “The poet enjoys because he suffers.” This, in a way, is the motif of the twenty or so poems that follow. Here is a Mary Webb disciple sounding, in a much smaller way, of course, the glories of Nature, wedded with a deep religious feeling—unusual in poets these days. I like the verse because it is sincere, although the poet strikes age old chords of music. (Just as we go to press, the sad news of the death of Mr. Bridgford, following a long period of illness, is announced.—Ed.).

Caricature of New Zealand Writers (No. 2).

Caricature of New Zealand Writers (No. 2).

By way of sharp contrast I might mention another book of verse, or to be more exact, jingle, published by J. H. Claridge, one time printer and newspaper proprietor. The title is “The Iron Horse,” and the printer is candid enough to advise readers that “you are well advised to retain this booklet as an Enzed literary curiosity.” I note, too, that in a dozen opinions about the book an M.A. (unnamed) is quoted as describing it as “decidedly quaint.” Heartily do I endorse the judgment.

* * *

Reviews.

“Marsden and the Missions.” Eric Ramsden, a versatile journalist who has made good on both sides of the Tasman, has written a book that must fill an important place in the historical library of the Dominion. Its title is “Marsden and the Missions,” and its New Zealand publishers are A. H. & A. W. Reed. It is a bulky volume of over 300 pages, with 22 illustrations and has been admirably produced. A tremendous amount of research work had to be undertaken by the author in his compilation of this absorbingly interesting story of the struggle of the various denominational missionaries for religious control in this country. However we may read the text, the author confesses that “while one recognises the weaknesses of the missionary system of that period … the men employed in the New Zealand field were in the main imbued by high ideals and conscientious motives.” This is the very point that must not be lost sight of by the reader. Human nature is weak and often petty, but many of these missionaries were obviously working, often perhaps along the wrong path, yet nevertheless towards an ideal. How far they succeeded page 63
(Rly. Publicity photo.) Entrance to the famous Sargent Art Gallery, Wanganui.

(Rly. Publicity photo.)
Entrance to the famous Sargent Art Gallery, Wanganui.

one may judge from the copious quotations from letters, reports, and previous books so ably linked together and amplified by Mr. Ramsden. Through the course of the whole story of human endeavour and sometimes lamentable human frailty the figure of Samuel Marsden “Father of the New Zealand Mission,” looms large to his final visit to the scene of his labours. The book which is described as “a prelude to Waitangi” for it covers the period of 1830–39 is bound to arouse much discussion. It is impossible to do it justice in the short space at my disposal. Dr. Peter H. Buck contributes an interesting foreword in which he states that the book “is not only an addition to Colonial history, but is a valuable contribution to the wider study of the impact of civilization on native races.”

“Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef,” by T. C. Roughley, B.Sc. F.R.Z.S. (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) reads in parts like some H. G. Wellsian phantasy. Yet the wonder tales of this famous reef, the greatest in the world, are all true and, in fact, are illustrated by the many plates in colour and black and white distributed throughout the book. Indeed, after reading this fascinating story of Australia's star attraction we may without hesitation place the Great Barrier as the ninth wonder of the world. Here Nature is found in her most fantastic moods in her creations of marine life, here she has given her animals and plants her most vivid colours, here she has made giants of creatures that elsewhere are of a growth comparatively insignificant. Yet among all this beauty of colour and form roam fearsome monsters, and the tales of their battles with other sea creatures and occasionally with man give a thrilling touch to a wonderful story. In production, the book is one of the finest and most artistic jobs ever produced by A. & R.

“The Third String,” by Stuart Gurr (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is a tale of love and adventure in the New Hebrides. There are powerful characterisations in this unusual novel—Heinecken, the one-time German secret service agent ever fleeing from memory, and the vengeance that follows a Service deserter, Ezra Neale, the fanatic Island missionary and his beautiful wife Marcia, and then Braddock, the young Sydney doctor. With a menacing volcano ever in the background and the menace also of the island savages, these central figures carve out a strange, thrilling existence.

“Khyber,” by Edmond Barclay (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is good reading. I use the word “good” advisedly, for it is a clean, thrilling yarn. The author hurries you away to the frowning cliffs of the Khyber Pass. You'll meet two wonderful women, Ruth and Myra, Captain Garvie a hundred per cent, hero, the unscrupulous cigar-chewing Deeming, Ali Khan, who had dreams of sweeping British Indian control to the sea, and the mysterious K21. You'll be literally swept off your feet with the excitement and romance of it all.

“Big Timber,” by William Hatfield (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is an exciting novel, the background of which is a wonderful picture of the timber lands and timber industry of Australia. With this double appeal of fiction and fact the book should have a big sale. True the hero, Dale Garnett, takes everything in his stride with an ease that is amazing, yet he is a vastly appealing figure. The love interest is nicely interwoven with the scenes and action of the story.

* * *

Shibli Listens In.

W. R. Kingston Smith, who has made the “New Zealand Financial Times” such a wonderfully interesting journal, has edited and published a New Zealand Financial Year Book.

Quentin Pope is busy on a novel.

Will Lawson's latest book “Old Man Murray,” will deal with the later days of Cobb & Co., and their battles with the railways.