AustLit

Holt traces the history of The Bandar-Log, an un-published novel written by Alan Reid in the late 1950s. The novel was initially accepted for publication at Angus & Robertson, but support for the project was later withdrawn. Another attempt at publishing the novel, this time by J. P. Atkins of Cleveland Publishing, also failed. The printer, Halstead Press, a subsidiary of Angus & Robertson, was ordered to halt the print run by its owner-company.

Holt provides an account of the legal case that followed the abandonment of the printing. Atkins sued Halstead for breach of contract, but Judge Perrignon of the Sydney District Court found the novel to be libellous and the claim was dismissed.

In conclusion, Holt notes that 'Scholars and citizens alike' should be grateful that Colin Roderick preserved the page proofs of the novel, along with press clippings compiled during the course of the trial. His assiduousness 'enables a fascinating episode in Australia's political and cultural history to be properly recorded.'

Gosling reports on the work of the Asian Collections section of the National Library of Australia. The section collects 'historical and contemporary writings by Asians' about Australia as well as 'a fascinating range of Australian serious and popular works in Asian language translations.' The latter group includes a range of Australian children's books in addition to adult novels and the work of Asian-Australian authors such as Ouyang Yu.

Gosling also notes projects that the National Library is leading which should enable the Asian Collections to be more accessible to the Library's users, scholars and the public at large.