A great day for women

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32726, 1 October 1971, Page 1

A great day for women

The principal prizewinners in the 1971 Janies Wattie “Book of the Year” award announced in Christ- ' church yesterday are all women.

The "Book of the Year” is "William and Mary Rolleston," by Rosamund Rolleston, published by A. H. and A. W. Reed. Second was another Reed book, “Contemporary Maori Writing," by Margaret Orbell. "Gardening with New Zealand Plants, Shrubs and Trees,” by Muriel E. Fisher, E. Satchell, and Janet M. Watkins, published by Collins, was third.

The senior judge of the panel of three (Mr A. C. Brassington, of Christchurch) said that the book chosen as “Book of the Year” was a family history which was lifted into a higher category because of the political importance in New Zealand of William Rolleston. Its main importance was its insight into the character of Mary Rolleston and her influence on her husband. It was a book of political and sociological interest to all New Zealanders but particularly for the people of Canterbury.

Wever so rocked’ "I have never been so rocked in my life,” said Rosamund Rolleston (Mrs Ormond Wilson) when the announcement was made. When it was announced that her book was in the short list of 10 she had thought it a joke. "Naturally, I’m terribly thrilled.” “Contemporary Maori Writing” could well become a standard work of writing in the special field it covered, said Mr Brassington. It was well produced, its editorial work could not be faulted, and the prose and poetry displayed creative work of the highest order. Of the third placed book “Gardening With New Zealand Shrubs and Trees,” Mr Brassington said that it was different from the usual run of gardening books in that it dealt with New Zealand’s native flora. The other two judges were Messrs R- Goodman Auckland) and J. Kelleher (Wellington). Selection was based on literary merit, over-all quality, editing, illustrations, topicality, price in relation to value for money and ability to last