"A WEAVER OF DREAMS"

Evening Post, Issue 28, 1 August 1936, Page 18

"A WEAVER OF DREAMS"

The. Miramar branch of the' League of Mothers met recently, Mrs. Wall presiding over an excellent attendance, and Mesdames • Hill and Marshall being-the hostesses. Though in the winter season, the hall was bright with flowers, and tea was served by the committee.

Mrs. Wall paid eulogistic tribute to the late Mrs. Dawson, who had been Dominion secretary of the league for so many years. As a mark of respect all stood in silence.

Miss Beere entertained an appreciative audience by singing two delightful solos, and Thyrza Wallace recited two poems by Gloria Rawlinson, "The Greenstone Tiki" and "Day by Day." Mrs. Edie spoke on "Gloria Rawlinson," and recited poems and read extracts to illustrate her most interesting talk. Gloria, Mrs. Edie said, was bom in Tonga in 1916 and came to New Zealand when six years old. Then stricken with infantile paralysis, the next four years were spent in hospital. She was a weaver of dreams, and books meant a great deal to her. When eleven years old she became a postguide and developed her letter-writing. Also for a time she was very ill indeed. When 14 years of age she was encouraged to publish her poems— "Gloria's Book." Letters of appreciation came from far and near, including one from President Roosevelt and Dame Sybil Thorndyke, and later one from Mrs. Roosevelt. The battles she won against her affliction brought out the depth and spiritual side of her character. In contrast to her fairy poems were the more serious "Early Sweet Pea" (written when sorrowing for her little friend Elma). and "On the Road to Emmaus." Gloria also published short stories with a clever moral hidden, astonishing in one so young. In "The Railway Game" she showed it was wiser for grown-ups to leave young ones to play their own games and not suggest improvements. Her writings also showed a study of Maori history and customs, and she had written a play and an ■ amusing novelbefore she-was.l6-years old. Her book,: "The.i Perfume.- Vendor," . was accepted, by the "publishers, and sent to Christopher Blake, the literary critic, who was so impressed that he made a special feature of her work in his magazine. !'Tomorrow." Her ambition was to travel and see other countries, and especially London.