WOMEN WRITERS IN N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28328, 13 July 1957, Page 2

WOMEN WRITERS IN N.Z.

Silver Jubilee Of Society

"The Press’* Special Service AUCKLAND, July 12. , This week the New 'Zealand Women Writers’ Society is celebrating its silver jubilee. At the society’s headquarters in Wellington an , intensive four-day programme has been planned," members of the society being present from all parts of the country. The celebrations emphasise the contribution to writing made by New Zealand women.

In the Waikato there is a very energetic group of women writers, all members of the society. They, writing under their own names and also under nom-de-plumes, make a substantial contribution to the printed word in New Zealand. The Waikato group, now of 15 members, was formed five years ago, two of its original members who have since died being Mrs Helen Wilson and Mrs Phyllis Bruce, who was well known under the name of Barbara Neville. Literary Competitions Members have met at each other’s homes every two months and taken part in literary competitions, listened to speakers and discussed the various forms of writing. Other original members of the group include Mrs Dorothy'Black, of Taupiri, winner of the recent £2OO play writing competition sponsored by the Southland Centennial Committee. Mrs Black has had considerable success in the literary world, chiefly with plays, but also with short stories and a children’s book.

Mrs Muriel Maisey, of Tuhikaramea, writes under her own name, which is often seen under verse and country articles in a number of New Zealand publications. She has also had articles accepted for broadcasting. Mrs Alice Davies, of Cambridge, is a member who contributes to the local paper and has built up a firm association with many weekly papers and magazines, her particular forte being articles and short stories. Versatile Member One of the most versatile early members is Mrs Marion Laurent, who also writes under her own name, and who in recent years has specialised in illustrated articles on landscape gardening, short stories and verse. Mrs Alison Drummond, who lives .at Gordonton, has turned her hand to almost every type of writing, but has a particular flair for early New Zealand history. She has broadcast many talks, including one she gave this week in connexion with the silver jubilee of the society. She ha- also had great success with .plays, short stories, book reviews and verse.

Other writers who have join eci the Waikato group in recent years include Mrs Catherine Mann, author of “The Silent Mountain” and “One Who Bears Your Name,” and Mrs Mary Scott, who wrote the “Barbara” books, and, more recently, “Breakfast at Six Thirty” and “Families Are Fun.”