THE FAIRY-TALE WOMAN

Shannon News, 7 December 1926, Page 3

THE FAIRY-TALE WOMAN

r —, . A NEW AND NOVEL SCHEME,

Mrs. Coralie M'Kellar, a New Zealander by birth, returned from Australia recently, with a new and novel scheme for New Zealand schools. Mrs. M'Kellar was in Wellington about two -and a half years ago as Impresario for M. Skalski, the Polish pianist but journalism has played no small part in her career, and eighteen months ago she went to the New Hebrides zo report upon the Condominium.

As her mother's health was causing anxiety Mrs M'Kellar decided,to come again to . New Zealand. She has brought with her- some very valuable and charming Chinese antiques and embroideries with which she hopes to introduce a new and novel scheme to New Zealand children. ,

"You k v now," said Mrs M'Kellar to a "Post" reporter yesterday, "many European fairy tales have cruelty as their basis. Well, Chinese fairy tales have obedience as their central theme There is no religion in them, but there is utmost respect for ancestors and filial obedience. It is my idea to point out this obedience and its reward to children in New Zealand schools by means of the many fairy tales I have collected." Mrs. M'Kellar has some very beautiful and valuable replicas of> originals now in Chinese museums, a particularly interesting one being that of the famous crystal tree of Shantung, .which was built a s ' a memorial to Confucius by one of his sons. , In China a "perfect child," that is, one who has not failed in perfect- obedience for three years, is given a little crystall tree, which he treasures all his life and which in death is placed upon his grave. The fruit, flowers, and leave:- are of agate and jade two hard "minerals, and Nov/. Zealand greenstone is suggested by Mrs. M'Kellar as a substitute for the crystal tree, but with hardly the same stvere test for children here"l was organiser in Australia for the Egypt Exploration Society, with Mr M'lntosh and Lord Allenby at its head, and collected several thousands of pounds, being instrumental in having some marvellous antiques brought direct from Tutankhamen's tomb. If possible, I should like to have some sent out here, too, if there is money available." A novel "The 'Jscariot" which has been favourably reviewed by Leon Gordon among others, has been written by Mrs M'Kellar, who is also the author of a book of songs "The Brown Land," and a book of poems, 'Silhouettes of the Street." "The Brown. Land," refers of course ,to Australia, aiid Mr s M'Kellar is thinking of writing one for New Zealand. The poems are all the results of experiences in the slums of Australia where Mrs M'Kellar ventured in many disguises. There is also a play, half-finished as yet but Mrs. M'Kellar hopes to put it on the market along with her other productions, when she -goe s to England in about six months. After England she hopes to visit South. Africa, America and China. Mrs. M'Kellar mentioned the picture "For the Term of his 'Natural Life'" for -which Eva Novak went specially to Australia. This Is now finished and Miss Novak has returned to America. It is just, possible that she may return to Australia to appear in'a film version of. Mrs M'Kellar's novel, "The Iscariot."