WOMAN NOVELIST

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 288, 1 September 1931, Page 8

WOMAN NOVELIST

Tour of North Island NEW ZEALAND’S BEAUTY Having finished a mertor tour of about 1500 miles in the North Island, Miss Mollie Panter-Downes (Mrs. Clare Robinson), one of the best-known younger English women novelists, together with her husband, left Auckland on Saturday on a round trip of the islands. Mrs. Robinson made a sensational entry Into the literary field some years ago by publishing a very able and mature first novel at the early age of 16. The most popular of her- books are “The Shoreless Sea” and “My Husband Simon.” On her present world tour she has written and sent Home several short stories. “I am not sure what use I shall make of the local colour that I have picked up here and elsewhere,” she said. “It is too early to say yet. When I am back in England and have my impressions in retrospect I shall know what use I can make of them. With her husband, an English business man, Mrs. Robinson arrived in Auckland some weeks ago after a rapid tour of tue East Indies and Australia. Obtaining a car, they set out on a trip to Wellington and back with the purpose of seeing the principal sights of the North Isalnd. After going to Coromandel they visited Rotorua and Taupo, coming to Wellington via Napier. On the northward journey Mr. Robinson climbed to the summit of Mount Egmont from Dawson Fall*. They spent a couple of days at National Park, but thev did not attempt the ascent of Ruapehu. 'Time did not permit them to explore the South Island. Both the travellers declared that they had enjoyed everything immensely—the scenery, the hospitality of the people, the hotels and the food. “I find it hard to believe that those excellent oysters of yours cost only a few pence a dozen,” said Mr. Robinson. Both agreed that the loose metal on New Zealand roads did not add to the pleasure of driving, and that the “one-ear” bridges were all to frequent.