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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 14, No. 10. August 9, 1951

Only Half a Dollar for . . . — 'Moa on Lambton Quay'

Only Half a Dollar for . . .

'Moa on Lambton Quay'

The "long' haired fringe" of this year's T.C. students, produced their brain child this week the net resulta of weeks of lunchtime contemplation within the normally deserted tennis pavilion in the Glen, have emerged within the covers of "The Moa on Lambton Quay"—a collection of "animal, vegetable and funeral" verse.

Mentor Tony Vogt has, we think, some cause for satisfaction at the first publication of his poetry circle. The general poetic level throughout being good, if rather uneven in places.

Represented are the works of such well-known New Zealand "literate" as J. K. Baxter and Louis Johnson, as well as T.C. and varsity poets—Lyster Paul, O. P. Davies, Victor O'Leary, Brian Hildreth, Barry Mitcalfe and Eric Schwimmer. The publication is neatly introduced by a quite arresting cover design by Frank Dean.

A first general impression would seem to be the desire on the part of many of the contributors to experiment; a preoccupation with words rather than imagery is apparent throughout. Yet it is this very semantical approach which produces the merit of much of the work, in particular Barry Mitcalfe's "Are My Morals Upsetting" and "Zebra," by Clive Ewart.

As is usual in such collections of verse, there are occasional lapses into doggerel and there would appear little justification for the inclusion of several pithy limericks other than "fill in" pieces.

The poem by Oakden Davies, from which the collection takes its name, is unquestionably of high standard, carrying with it a simple and pleasing rhythm. After such an intriguing introduction to his work, the full publication of Mr. Davies' work will be awaited with interest. The other works by Oakden Davies, whilst not as pleasing rhythmically, are compelling by their originality.

Mr. Baxter, we imagine, has by now found more illustrious publications for his very best verse, but two of his poems, "Levitation" and "Calvinist in Spring" display a maturity and grasp of poetic form lacking in several other contributors.

Barry Mitcalf must be the "poetic hope" of T.C., and with some justification. His "Each Careless Face" is a perfect expression of the poignant truth of loneliness.

Occasionally the urge to "shock" favours a certain "striving after effect," which mars the work. This is noticeable in the largest work in the collection "No Compromise," by Gwen Hawthorn, which, despite one or two neat phrases, succeeds only in being turgidly unconvincing.

The remaining contributors have submitted works of promise, often marred by triteness of theme. It is refreshing to find that "Social Conscience" seldom obtrudes itself and all pieces may be read with enjoyment.

Definitely an enterprise to be encouraged and in matter of production, printing and content, well worth the purchase price.

One final reflection, was it really necessary for Mr. Ryan to rhyme "rum" with "bum"?

J.D.M. and B.L.