Tue, 25 May 2004

North Shore City helps fund proposed Michael King Memorial

North Shore City Council is helping the Frank Sargeson Trust in its bid to buy a property behind the writer's cottage on Esmonde Rd to be used as a memorial to Michael King.

The council is contributing $10,000 towards the deposit on the townhouse to the rear of the cottage where Frank Sargeson lived from 1931 until his death in 1982.

The land the townhouse stands on was originally part of the Sargeson property, but was subsequently sold.

North Shore City Mayor George Wood says the council was keen to help achieve Michael King's wishes to acquire the site again, and establish a writers' studio there. Michael King was Sargeson's biographer and deputy chairperson of the Sargeson trust.

"This would be a fitting memorial for Michael King. Not only did he have a close association with North Shore City, but was committed to supporting others who chose to write professionally.

This property is a significant national landmark - not only as Sargeson's home, but where several of our best writers such as Janet Frame, Kevin Ireland and Karl Stead also worked for long periods," George Wood says.

The Frank Sargeson Trust administers the writer's estate and supports New Zealand writers, in association with its sponsor, Buddle Findlay.

ENDS

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