Henry Lawson and Gertrude Moore

Abstract

Rollo Arnold's reconstruction of Henry Lawson's association with Gertrude Moore at Pahiatua, on his first visit to New Zealand (Australian Literary Studies vol. 4, no. 1, May 1970) has an interesting sequel in the Mitchell Library. A box of uncatalogued Lawson MSS, set 184, Item 7, contains four letters from Gertrude Puckle (nee Moore); three are written to Lawson and the fourth was presumably to George Robertson. The letters support Arnold's general hypothesis and confirm his suggestion that Lawson was thinking of Gertrude when he wrote 'The Vagabond' and 'Beautiful Maoriland'