PROGRESS OF HALF A CENTURY

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 7, 8 January 1920, Page 1 (Supplement)

PROGRESS OF HALF A CENTURY

printing -business, and this was a serious handicap upon the success of their new venture, which, thanks to the vigorous writing of Mr. Reed; the commercial activity of Jlr. Ferrar, and the incompetent management of their trade rival, javo excellent promise of success from the first. Tiro months after the paper was started the necessity for additional capital in the business and for practical experience in its production was so urgently felt that the suspension of the paper seemed almost inevitable. Mr. H. Brett, who was then engaged on the literary etaff of the "New Zealand Herald," had 'been in negotiation for the purchase of the "Evening Xcwe," and 'Messrs. Heed and Ferrar, early in March. IS7O, about two months after the ""Star" was started, concluded an agreement with Mr. Brett under which he acquired a proprietary interest of one-third share in the paper. " A FORWARD MOVEMENT. _ The advent of an experienced journainto the management of the paper Jif<l a marked influence upon its fortunes. The printing oj.. the paper was removed from the ■■■■^Mμ V'jSouthern Cross" to ih'ft "Herald" Office, jjdiere Mr. Brett for jseKcral months retained his position onrthe literary staff. ,- the firit few copies of tfic "Star" are miss.ijig,..with. the exception of the first number, .wliich was a modest sheet of four pages; each 19 inches by 15. inches, con : taining a total of 24 columns. Contrast liiat with the "Star" of to-day. The first "Star's" columns, if put end to end, would reach -38 feet. Tp-day the Saturday issue, with its , 26 pages, totals 224 columns, which in linear measure means 410 feet of type, > about an inch deep and two inches and a-sixth wide, or a column of lead over four times as high as the big tower of the "Star's" building in Fort Street. There were seldom more than seven columns Of news in the little " Star." Tn July, 1871, the paper was made larger, the pages being 21 inches by 17, seven columns on a page, and the number of pages still four. In 1879 the paper blossomed out' as a big sheet of four pages, each 26 inches by 22 inches, which was too unweildy, and eventually settled down to its present handy size and shape. ' . The . '"Star", was first' issued with ,a supplement with the beginning of the new year'in , ISTo. Originally published without a motto over "the leader — a very old journalistic tradition —the "Star" alter- . wards adopted the line "Press Onward," but in 1871 it chose the well-known verse, "For the. cause that lacks assistance/ , etc.. which, still appears over the leader. . THE PURLOINED FILES. With ■so many papers in Auckland engaged in a struggle for existence, there must naturally have been some competition among the staffs, and a "Star" of 1870 bears that out in a goodnatured but cutting exposure of a "Loathsome contem- . . pory" which "sneak- : en , " ': a. bundle- of . Southern newspaper files that had been left at the office of the water-police by the purser of a boat. That was before the telegraph flashed everything through almost before it happens, and the files were/ the very breath of life to journalism. Rob a paper of its files and you strangled it.

It seems that the opposition paper calmly walked in, lifted the "Star's" bundle under the nose of the police, and came out with a very fine edition indeed. It wasn't the iirst offence.of the Iviiifl, as on ix previous occusion. one the morning papers had been compelled to publish a two or three inch advertisement warning anyone connected with' the objectionable publication being found on th e premises of the said morning paper "after business hours," and disclaiming any responsibility for what might happen if caught. Life had a zest about it then! JOURNALISM WITH A BITE. The early days were the times when that would be quite out of place in these polite days. Feeling used to run high in the little community that was springing up around the pretty bays of the Auckland harbour, and this was reflected in the Press of the day. There is an amusing touch (at this distance) about a feud between the "Auckland Literary hnd evidently not been too much gushed over in the account of their latest etlort

and they held a -meeting to decide whether'the Press should be admitted. . One member tearfully . complained "Tlie reporters at the last meeting had been supplied .-with chairs, tables, brandy and other refreshments, and look what notices appeared the' following morning!" The following-evening the "Star" came out with a biting little paragraph, beginning, "There is a thing called the Auckland Literary Society," which, if it appeared in cold print to-day would create a nine-day's wonder. 1 . A PERSONAL TOUCH. , A quaint personal touch is lent by nearly a column about a news boy who hie honesty gave a stranger to the city, j who .bought a "Star," giving what he thought was a penny, but the boy ran after hjm arid pointed out that it was a silver coin. The "Star' , gave an account of the lad, who was a prodigy of filial affection for his poor mother. rlis name is given in full, and one could liot help wondering if he fulfilled his early promise. The article gives one of 1 the lad's calls when aellinj his papers,

Roll up! Roll up! Arrival of the Sturt, Te Kooti caught by the tail of the shirt, But the shirt was rotten, and Te Kooti got away; That's the latest news from Poverty Bay. It is only necessary to explain that the noted rebel was then foeing/hunted and the Sturt was the Government steamer. RIVAL JOURNALS PURCHASED. In the course of two years the "Star" had so outstripped its evening rival in enterprise that the proprietor of the "Evening Xe\vs" and ••Morning Xews" resolved to offer both journals at auction, and in December, 1872, these were purchased by Messrs. Reed and Brett, Mr. Ferrar " having retired from the partnership a few months after slr. Brett joined it. These newspapers were at once incorporated with the "Star,"' and the business premises in Wyndham Street, now occupied by the '"Observer," having been engaged, the '"Star" was forthwith issued there from its own presses. The' circulation in 1572 was about 2700. Soon afterwards Mr. T. W. Leys, sub-editor of the

■•Southern Cross," joined the "Star," and took over direction of its news services. The inauguration of telegraphic communication with the South widened the field, and this led to the establishment of telegraphic correspondence with the Southern parts of the Dominion. The goldfields news, which had always been a feature in the "Star," continued to maintain is character for fullness and accuracy, and its budget of intelligence was awaited nightly by the crowds which gathered in the locality of the Stock Exchange. The telegraph was supplemented by carrier pigeons, which were employed with great success. An account of the achievements of these feathered messengers ie given in another part of our jubilee issue. The slashing attacks made in the, "Star" upon various organisations which at that period ruled the city, ipevitably. aroused antagonism, and in November, JS74. an evening paper, having powerful financial backing, and bearing the suggestive title, '/The Echo," was started, Mr. (now tlie Hon.) George Jones, bein™ the publisher. This journal shewed , considerable enterprise, but it lasted only one year and three days. In his farewell article, on November Jl, 1875, the editor stated:— '"We have spared neither cost nor enterprise in the attempt to establish , a second evening journal in Auckland. . . Biit as the very evils we were called into existence to put down became removed, the burden on the public of supporting a second evening journal ceased to appear necessary, and the co-operation we had a right to expect became less warm than it should have been. ~ ... The warni support of a fews which we now desire most cordially to acknowledge, has not, however, been equal to the patronage of the many, and the admittedly large circulation of- the 'Star' has presented an attraction to advert i sers with which it has been found almost impossible for us to cope. Journalism, like any other undertaking, is at bottom a purely commercial affair, and may be too long carried on at a loss." RETIREMENT OP ME. REED. Upon tlie demise of "The Echo" the "S tar" proprietor* acquired its copyright and an interest in its printing plant. Soon afterwards Mr. 6. M. Reed, in conjunction with Mr. ■ Jones,: left for Dunedin, - where ■ they started a new evening journal under the - name of the "Evening News." During Mr. Reed's absence in Dunedin Mr. T. W. Leys held the position of acting-editor -- of the Auckland "Star," and threw the entire influence of the paper into the famous election cam- . paign fought by Sir George Grey in December, 18T5. and January, IS7C. when the veteran statesman was elected both for Auckland West and the Thames, beating in the lastmentioned constituency Sir Julius Vogel. Sir George went to Wellington, supported by a strong phalanx oi Auckland members. Just at this juncture a Dunedin morning journal, Hip ""Otago Guardian," and its weekly issue, 'The Mercury," came into the market, and Mr. Reed resolved to buy them and transfer liis journalistic labours to Dunedin. He therefore disposed of his interest in the Auckland "Star" to Mr. Brett, who became sole proprietor.

On the 28th of February, 1876, the final severance of Mr. Reed's connection with the "Star" was celebrated at a farewell dinner in the Albert Hotel, at ■which Mr. T. W. Leys presided, and, in proposing the health of the guest, alluding to the fact that, in common with all newspaper "writers, 'Mr. 'Reed had necessarily made- enemies, said:—"There are a few people in Auckland whose opinions

of Sir."Reed would be very greatly modified by a peep into our green-room, where" they would learn to esteem our guest, as we esteem him—not merely as the severe corrector of public abuses, tils avenger of wrongs that need resistance, and the unflinching upholder of the cause that lacks assistance—but_ as

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the liberal-minded, kind-hearted employer, and genial frientf. Any feelings in opposition to this which, may have been entertained have arisen through not knowing him as "we know.him, but I am convinced that the misconceptions have been with the few, and the genuine appreciation with the many. The fact ie that Mr. Reed's name has become familiar as a household word throughout Auckland as a tower of strength for the wronged and oppressed; that his editorial sanctum has been, as /we know it, the first resort and last refuge of those who are poor in purse and broken in spirit, attests this; and I am sure he " will carry -with him not alone our good wishes, of •which he is assured to : night, but the good feeling of the vast' majority of the people of Auckland." In responding, Mr. Eeed paid a graceful compliment to the business capabilities of Mr. Brett, -which, he said, had contributed in no small degree to the success of the "Star." He . also referred in terms of praise to his successor in the editorial chair, who "had ably conducted the 'Star' during liis absence in very critical times politically." Mr. T. W. Leys thereupon assumed full editorial control, and has filled the , editorial chair for the long , period of forty-four years, a record in Australasian journalism. In 187-1 Mr. Brett began to take an. active part in the public life of the City as a member of various local governing bodies. He was a Governor of the: Auckland Grammar School, a member of the City Council and Harbour Board, and in 1577 was elected Mayor of Auckland. The daily circulation of the ''Auckland Star", in October, lS7s,uas 4.700: It continued to increase with remarkable rapidity,- reaching the 10,000 mark as certified -by two leading accountants, in May, ISS4. and by 19X4 had risen to about 4:1.000.

TWO RIVAL JOURNALS FAIL. The success o! the "Auckland Star" naturally brought about opposition, and in ISS-i the Rev. David Bruce, in conjunction with a number of friend?, acquired the nreekly "Observer." and issued from the same office an evening journal called "The Telephone.' , This venture tad a ■very brief career, but the papers and plant "were acquired in ISS-"i by a much more powerful combination of capital, and a larger and better organised evening newspaper was issued in May. ISS3, under the management of Mr. Wni. McCullough. at present the proprietor of the Thames "Star." His qualifications rally described in the "Bell" in the following terms: "In its managing director it lias one who. for experience, prudence, and cautious enterprise, is not surpassed in the colony." Mr. <"■. M. Reed, one of the founders and first editor of the "Auckland .Star." after disposing of iiis newspaper interests, in Dunedin in ISTS. went to England, and established the "Anglo-New Zealander" , in London. He returned to Auckland in ISSG. and •■was appointed editor of the "Evening BelL" Capital was expended with a lavish hand in order to obtain a footing urated its first issue with a scheme for the free distribution of £.10 in prizes, as an encouragement to circulation. Writing under his own name as editor, in the issue of the "Evening Bell," dated February 7, 1537. Mr. C. M. Reed, replying to a. statement published in the London "'Journalist," to the effect that "the paper was believed to be moribund," bitterly repudiates the suggestion, and says: "With regard to the financial position of this journal, it has now been some twenty months or so in existence. During tbe first twelve or fifteen months it spent its money bravely. Perhaps it ■was necessary, perhaps it was not. Most papers sink a good deal before they are founded. At all events, it was under another ownership and other management: and whether the money was wisely or unwisely spent, those "who had forked it out came up smiling, and cheerfully talcing on them the whole responsibilities of the future, regard all that Las gone not only as not lost but well placed to put the ' Bell' in the position ■which it occupies to-day. Not only this, but if as much more were required it is pledged, and will be cheerfully given to bring the ' Bell' to the forefront of New Zealand journalism. Let there be no mistake about this . . . there is not another paper in Xciv Zealand that has so much money at it? back as the "Auckland livening Bell,' and we further declare that some of the "hopeful and misguided Xew Zealanders' who have "persuaded Eeed to assume the editorial chair* have pledged their honour—and that means to the extent of their wealth—that the 'Evening Bell' shall live. ... If the proprietors of the "Evening BelP paid off all the liabilities of file 'Evening Star,' and oi all its appurtenances from the big 'white elephant" in Shortland and Fort Streets to the ledger in Queen ■ Street, there would still be enough at the back oi this paper to pay for the equity of redemption of the whole remaining concern of the "Evening Star' five times over." Brave words these! And so far as the financial resources at the back of this newspaper venture were concerned the boast was in large measure justified. But even rich people get tired in time of ladling out money with' no prospect of any return, and" the backers of the •'Evening Bell"' did not regard their honour as being pledged "to the extent of their wealth."' After an existence of about three years, during which an enormous sum of money was expended in the vain attempt to put the paper on a paying footing, its publication was discontinued. In an article announcing this failure the editor, in the "Evening Bell" of May 12, 13SS, states: "The "people of Auckland hav e been educated to expect in their newspaper a larger and more costly literary production than ie given in any other part of New Zealand. And it is a constant remark among visitors from Australia that in the abundance the variety, the freshness, and general excellence of their news columns, the vigour and ability with which they are conducted, the daily journals of Auckland set an example to Australasia." The weekly "Observer"' was continued at a loss for some feme after the closin" down of the "Bell/ , and the proprietor ultimately sold the newspaper and plant to 3lr. Henry Brett. An examination of the books shewed that at no time during the three years of its existence did the ■Bell- attain a bona fide paid for circulation of more than five hundred copies, which were chiefly sold in Queen Street. The circulation of the '""Auckland Star' on the day when the "Bell" ceased publication was certified by two leading Auckland accountants as 10,717 and the stoppage of the "Bell" did not increase the ■ btars" circulawon during the ensuing three months more than 270 copies The "Observer was subsequently purchased by Messrs. Geddis and JBlomfield SOMETHTXG ABOUT 2CEWSPAPERS The causes of the "Evening Bell's" failure are very fairly stated in the statement by Mr. G. j£ Eeed Quoted above. The people of Auckland have been educated to expect in their newspaper a large and costly literary production," ana it was no exaggeration to say that "the daily journals of Auckland set an example to Australasia." Anyone who is familiar with the newspapers published in various parts of the British Dominions will admit that the Auckland newspapers Trill bear comparison with any published elsewhere, not excepting London itself, winch, by the way, does not possess an evening journal that is equal in size or m the freshness and variety of its news to the papers issued nightly by the "Auckland Star." " _ Tiere are certain peculiarities which aifierentiate a newspaper from all other articles involving in their production a vast amount of highly-paid labour. In , the first place the article manufactured as absolutely valueless the day after it Jias been produced. In the second place ■ the cost of producing the article sold is not paid for by the people who buy it, but by the advertisers. With paper at its present high price, to quote from an article which recently appeared in the Sydney "Sun,"- "the Australian public to<lay is obtaining newspapers which cost hundreds of thousands a year fo produce at less than the actual money paid for The raw material." The editor of the Echo,' an early rival of the "Auckland " J'* M 1S farewe » article, already quoted, states that the advertising public were not willing to bear the heavy extra tax imposed upon them by the publication of another paper, to make known their business announcements to tlie same clientage as they reached by the existing newspapers. * After the Auckland "Evenin» Bell" ceased publication Air. G. M. Eeed was appointed editor of the Melbourne -Standard," upon which a powerful financial company in the Victorian capital ; expended £200,000 in the vain endeavour to a second evening newspaper in Melbourne, in opposition to the iierald.- A prolonged fight, in the

course of which money was poured out lavishly, resulted in tbe "Standard' , being absorbed by the '"Herald," which is still the only evening newspaper pablished in Melbourne, a city with a jjopulation of nearly 000,000 "people. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. Since its memorable journalistic contest with the Auckland "Evening Bell." the "Auckland Star" has had a clciir iield, and the best possible use has been made of the opportunities thus offered for developing an extensive printing and publishing business. Linotypes were first employed in New Zealand in the production of the '-Auckland Star," and its news organisations have been kept up to the highest standard of efficiency. Its printing, lithographic, engraving, and bookbinding plants are unexcelled in New Zealand. Mr. T. W. Leys acquired a partnership in the firm in ISS9, and to provide better facilities for managing the constantly growing business, it was registered in WOO, under the "Companies Act," as "The Brett Printing and Publishing Company,' , but without affecting the distribution of the proprietary interests. ERECTION OF PRINTING OFFICE. Up to ISS4 the "Star" was housed in the offices in Wyndham Street now occupied by the "'Observer." Thirtyfive years ago the paper was transferred to new premises in Shortlflnd Street, running through to Fort Street. In 1917 further enlargement was necessary, the fine ferro-concrete building with a frontage to Fort .Street being opened in that year. All The mechanical departments of the paper are housed in its fireproof walls.

PRESS TELEGRAPH ASSOCIATIONS. The extension of telegraph lines and the opening up of cable communication with the outer world involved the fortion of news, and in November, 187S, a combination of morning papers endeavoured to create a monopoly by establishing a Press Association into which, onrly one newspaper in each town would be admitted. The powerful evening newspapers and morning journals which were thus excluded took prompt steps to protect their own interests, and a meeting of Prebs representatives in Wellington, at which 'Mr. T. W. Leys, editor of the '• Auckland Star," presided, formed the Press Agency, which was controlled by the "Auckland Star." Wellington "Post," Christehureh "Press," Dunedin "Star," and several provincial evening papers. Mr. Leys also visited Sydney, and arranged with a powerful combination of Australian newspapers for a special cable service. Two years of costly competition resulted in a determination to amalgamate the rival Associations, and this was accomplished at a conference held at -Timaru in December, 1870, the new organisation adopting the name of the "United Press Association. ,, Five directors were appointed: Messrs. G. Fenwick and A. G. Horton, on behalf of the morning, journals, and Messrs. H. Brett and H? Blundell, on behalf of the evening papers, with the Hon. W. Reeves as chairman, he representing both morning and evening journals. In 18S3, Mr. Brett was entrusted by the directors of the association with a mission to Melbourne to negotiate with. Messrs. Wilson and MacKinnon for a cable service for three years. This he successfully accomplished, and the contract then made has formed the basis of all subsequent agreements for New Zealand cable services. The position ofj chairman of the United Press Association was held alternately by Mr. Brett and Mr. H. Fenwick until recent years. Mr. Brett held office as a director for nearly forty years, resigning only last Harch. ■ '