FAMOUS WRITER

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1930, Page 2

FAMOUS WRITER

APPEAL FOR SIR W. WATSON

(United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright]. LONDON, November 1.

Tliat Sir William Watson is lying ill and poverty-stricken is revealed by a letter signed by many famous authors, artists, actors and other prominent personages, including Sir Jas. Barrie, Mr R. Kipling, Air G. B. Shaw, Air Lloyd George and Lord Burnham in inaugurating a testimonial fund. The letter says:—Sir W. At, Watson has remained faithful to the high purposes with which lie set out, and has splendidly fulfilled them in nearly thirty volumes of poetry in which he shows himself a great craftsman. As a lord of the language lie is in the AJiltonic tradition. Now after seventy years of life, fifty-eight of which he has spent in august, but materially unreiiiunerativc, service, bis muse is tbe oldest of our poets, and lie lies ill, and

in poverty.” The appeal points out that the world is often neglected of its chie J authentic singers, and hopes that it will have hero no cause of final selfreproach.

The letter adds:—Despite the abnormal difficulties everywhere; we have no doubt thot the appeal will Ineel with an immediate and generous response in Britain, the Dominions and America. Sir W. M. Watson, who, is suffering from bronchial trouble, nnd is mostly confined to his bed, is residing at Bath.