THE PRESS.

Thames Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 18409, 1 August 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE PRESS.

Tiie record of Thames happenings would not be complete without smite reference to the Press. The first news, papei* established on the Thames- was f<he Thames Advertise^ on June 11th, 1868, itbe proprietors being C. F. Corktt and Wm. Wilkinson. Ib was published in Wiiloughby Street near the beach. Mr Wm. Wilkinson, was the editor. Later on when Cirahamstown increased in population, the Advertiser was published in Aiberb Street in the premises now occupied by Mr C. 1). Wright^ land agent and accountant. Here Mr Orlebfc and Mr Wilkinson panted, and Mr Corlett subsequently published the Guardian, in. Davy Street but did no* make a success of it, and the paper ceased publication. Mr Horton later on bought a half-shar© in the Advertiser, and tho paper 'was vigorously conducted. After several years Mr Horlon left the Thames to purchase the ''Southern Cross" in Auckland, which Avas subsequently merged into the "Herald" under the firm of Wilson ami Horton. The Advertiser was sold by Mr

Wilkinson to a local company, and Mr W. J. Speight was editor. It did not prove a payable venture for the shurebolders, and was sold to> Oaptnan Fraser, ajid several years afterwards w:us purcliased by Mr Wm. McCullough and published till 1912, when it was merged with tlie Star.

The second morning paper was the "Times," established by Mr Shaw, a journalist from Hokitiku., and wae published in Willoughby Street on the site vow occupied by Mr A. Bruce as a private residence. It was a well printed and a good literary newspaper, the editor being the late Mr J. M. Perrier, a very brilliant writer. Mr McCullough was mining reporter, and Mr Hopcraft sub-editor". The Star was started ac an evening paper 'at^ in 1868, with Mr

Hoperaf b an editor. Mr Shaw not content, with, two papers, established in Auckland a. morning newspaper, in competition with two papers in that city. The venturfe was an unfortunate one for Mr Shaw, and landed huu in the Bank ruptcy Court Before tho crisis arrived the wages of the staff on tho Thames papers were unpaid for months, and a good sum owing to the men. . The iiquidmtors offered the Star tho premises and ft sufficient plant tc Messrs Ropcraft } McCullough, and three compositors, giving; them credit in the purchase price for the arrears of wages due to them,. Tjius commenced the firm of Hopcrafy McCullough and Co. The capital of the new firm was limited, and very soon the three compositor partners sold their interest to Messrs Hopcrafit and McCullough. In 1879 Mr Hopcraft died and the business has been earned on by Mr McCullough to tho present day.-

gamalta.