Portrait Of An Authoress

To write a book, and sell it, is the ambition of thousands. One of the few who have turned that dream into reality is Miss Rosemary Rees, of Gisborne.

Yet it was almost by accident that Miss Rees became a novelist. She left Gisborne in the 1900's to seek success on the London stage. Later she went to Australia and made a name for herself in repertory and musical comedy.

Misfortune came in 1921 when she toured New Zealand with her own company. "I lost all I had –– and a little more," she recalls.

Miss Rees turned to writing and produced her first novel, "April Sowing", based on life on the East Coast. It was an immediate success.

In all, Miss Rees has had 21 novels published and her 22nd, "Better To Trust", will be published this year.

Now retired in Gisborne, Miss Rees looks back on a career as colourful as any of her plots.

To say that Miss Rees is closely linked with the history of Gisborne is an understatement. Her father, the late Mr W. L. Rees, pictured above, was the founder of Whataupoko and built the first Peel Street Bridge.

Lawyer, writer and politician, he agitated for years, despite fierce opposition, in an effort to gain a good harbour for Gisborne. Before coming to this district in 1880 he was Member of Parliament for Auckland East and a close friend of Sir George Grey. He wrote several books, among them "The Life and Times of Sir George Grey".

One of his feats –– a 24-hour speech in the House of Representatives –– is probably still a record.

The Rees' homestead, "Te Hapara", was the first house in that area. The old homestead forms part of the background of the picture below. The young girl seated second from left is Miss Rees. Her parents are at the right.