A Sketch of the New Zealand War. By Morgan S.
Grace, C.M.G. (Horace Marshall and Son. 3s. 6d. net.)—The Hon. Morgan Grace went out in 1960 as a medical officer to the British troops. After taking an active share in the second Maori War, he settled down for a time in the Government ser- vice, in due course received his C.M.G., and was called by nomi- nation to the Upper House,—the Legislative Council. His book is a belated production. Truth compels the further remark that it is well-nigh superfluous. After the exhaustive works on the subject by Thompson, Dudgeon, and Rusden, there was little left for Mr. Morgan to say. In flouting the utter incompetence of the early military authorities in dealing with the Maoris, he is simply slaying the slain. In praising the native race for their fighting qualities and their uniform magnanimity, he is telling a thrice-told tale. The value of the book lies in its personal recol- lections, and these are told in a frank, bluff, and withal fasci- nating manner. The photogravures of the Maori warriors are admirable.
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