ESSAY PRIZE TO INVERCARGILL

Southland Times, Issue 24056, 21 February 1940, Page 8

ESSAY PRIZE TO INVERCARGILL

Centennial Literary Competition M. H. HOLCROFT’S WORK ON N.Z. CULTURE (United Press Association) . , WELLINGTON, February 20. The results of the-literary competition conducted on behalf of the Government by the National . Historical Committee have now been reported by the chairman of the literary committee,, stated the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, today. A total of 778 entries was received from every part of New Zealand and also from New Zealanders resident in Australia, England and the United States. Details of the entries are—Essays, 56; long poem, 95; short poem, 273; play, 51; novel, 106; short story 197. Prize money totalling £440 will be distributed among the following prizewinners: Long Essay, not exceeding 50,000 words. First prize £5O. Second prize £2O.—M. H. Holcroft, Georgetown, Invercargill ("The Deepening Stream. Movement and Direction in New Zealand Culture”) 1; G. N. Morris, Epsom, Auckland (“Katherine Mansfield”), and Miss D. Loughman, University of Sydney, New South Wales ( The Unconscious Mind”) equal.2. Long Poem, exceeding 100 lines. First prize £2O. Second Prize £s.— The Rev. J. R. Hervey, Merivale, Christchurch (“Salute to Youth”) 1; Dr C. Raymond, Waipukurau 2. Short Poem, fewer than 100 lines. First Prize £2O. Second Prize £s.— Miss Helena Henderson, Christchurch (“Earth Lovers”) and the Rev. J. R. Hervey, Christchurch (“War Refugee”) equal 1. Full length Play, about 20,000 words. First Prize £75. Second Prize £25. — The first prize was not awarded; Miss Janet McLeod, St. Albans, Christchurch (“The Snare”) 2, Miss Audrey Leathes, St. Heliers, Auckland (“Dark the Path”) 3. Novel. First Prize £l5O. Second Prize £3O.—F. H. Harris, Lakemba, New South Wales (“The Man Who Worked") 1, a second prize was not awarded; Mrs E. N. Greatorex, Edgecliff, New South Wales (“Misfire”) 3; Mrs A. McCarthy, Mohaka, Hawke’s Bay (“Castles in the Soil”) also gets a third prize. Short Story, not exceeding 5000 words. First Prize £3O. Second Prize £lo.—Miss E. Midgley, Point Chevalier, Auckland (“The River”) and Frank Sargeson, Takapuna, Auckland (“The Making of a New Zealander”) equal 1; R. Finlayson, Weymouth, Auckland (“The Totara Tree”) 3. “I am sure something of value to New Zealand literature has been achieved by holding the competition,” Mr Parry said. FICTION AND LITERARY CRITICISM MR HOLCROFT’S EARLIER SUCCESSES Mr M. H. Holcroft, who is a member of the editorial staff of The Southland Times, became known some years ago as a writer of fiction and literary criticism. In 1935 he entered a novel for- the S. H. Prior memorial competition, organized by The Bulletin, Sydney. This story, “The Papuan,” was highly commended and was later serialized by The Bulletin. Mr Holcroft has had three full-length novels pub-

lished in London. He has also placed many short stories with leading magazines in London, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In recent years his interests have moved away from fiction. “The Deepening Stream,” which, is 40,000 words in length, is a study .of contemporary trends in New Zealand culture. Mr Frank Sargeson, who was placed first equal in the short story section, has specialized in the short story and has succeeded in conveying, . perhaps better than any other New Zealander, a distinctive flavour of his native soil. A year ago one of his stories was included in a volume of “New Writing,” a collection of shorter pieces published in London and recognized by critics as representative of the most promising work from younger writers. Mrs A. McCarthy’s novel, “Castles in the Soil,” was published in book form last year and has been favourably received by New Zealand critics. It is an interesting study of a pioneering family in the North Island. Both Miss Helena Henderson and the Rev. J. R. Hervey are known to readers of New Zealand poetry for lyrics which have won frequent recognition by their inclusion in verse anthologies.