LITERARY AWARD TO CRIPPLE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27225, 17 December 1953, Page 10

LITERARY AWARD TO CRIPPLE

Achievement Of Miss M. Bartlett

WORK THROUGH POSTAL SCHOOL

Quiet, shy Margaret Bartlett is a cripple—she contracted poliomyelitis more than three years ago, and has since then been confined either to her bed or to her home. And yet last Friday she won the New Zealand Correspondence School’s radio play writing competition, and was also recently presented with an auto-

graphed copy of Walter De la Mare s poems, the first prize for literature in the school. Forced by her illness to leave St. Margaret’s College at the age of 15, Miss Bartlett continued her studies by correspondence, and this year was accredited for university entrance. She had hoped to continue her studies at university next year, but authorities told her that no correspondence courses could be arranged. Now she has decided to continue for another year with the sixth form at the Correspondence School. The book of poems which was presented to her for her radio play was autographed by Walter De la Mare when he gave it to his friend. Sir Arthur Donnelly, donor of the prize. A letter by the poet describing the Coronation was sent with the book, and has been included in the pr«e. Reading has become Miss Bartletts main pastime, and through it she has developed a keen sense of literary criticism. The award was made for her year’s work; she did not submit any special essays. Her list of preferences in books would be headed by biographies, but she read everything that came her way—“even the newspaper,” she quietly remarked to the reporter speaking to her. Round the room in which she was sitting yesterday morning were many examples of Miss Bartlett’s tapestry work. A fireside stool and a firescreen were two holding a proud place in the room. With her school worx and these two chief interests, Miss Bartlett has litle time for her other occupation—painting. _ The first long stretch of 10 montns in hospital, as well as a number m other shorter entries into tnai antiseptic world, have done little w dampen Miss Bartlett's spirits. Fully occupied all her time, she has shown her disability to be a lesser handicap than it might have been. Treatment during the last year has greatly assisted her return to healtn*