N.Z. WOMAN WRITER

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28258, 22 April 1957, Page 2

N.Z. WOMAN WRITER

Failing Eyesight No Deterrent

"The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, April 19.

Failing eyesight and bad health have not deterred the busy pen of Dulce Carman, Mrs D. Drummond in real life, who at her home in Hastings has written 11 novels in the last -5 years. Her latest book, “A Million Dreams Away,” has just been >ublished. Mrs Drummond’s first book was published in 1922. Inspired by her success, she wrote another in six weeks which was accepted by the publishers promptly. Her novels include, “Dream of the Dark,” “Where Kowhais Bloom,” “The Witching Hour,” “The Tapu Tree,” “The Wind From The Hill,” “Colours In The Sun,” “Golden Windows,” “The Riddle of the Ranges,” and “Neath the Maori Moon.” Mrs Drummond’s eyesight was never st mg, and early in her career she was greatly troubled by corneal ulcers. A series of 27 operations seemed to put the trouble right, but a recurrence last July again brought her work to a halt,. For 16 years she has been crippled with arthritis. In spite of these handicaps, Mrs Drummond hopes to have 20 books published. She has prepared the rough scripts of the necessary next nine novels. Sister Norma Graves, who is in New Zealand on her first furlough, spoke of her life as a teacher at Skolotan, Solomon Islands, during the annual convention of the North Canterbury District Council of the Methodist Women’s Missionary Union. Mrs Searle, a missionary from Bolivia, gave an address and showed coloured films of the people among whom she works. An educational session on the life work of the sisters who work among the Maoris was also given, and a musical programme was presented by Mrs T. Carr, of Addington, and her choir. Mrs A. L. Fiebig presided.