HISTORY OF THE

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1928, Page 6

HISTORY OF THE

(Continued ~6*,,6* The first editor of the G. M. Reed, 8.A., was a man attainments and fearless coinage, flfc marked by a drinking fountain which bears the inscription:— in the distance and the good that At the end of 1875 Mr. Reed left Dunedin to take part in starting ; under the name of the "Evening was not until early in 1876 that his interest in the "Star" to Mr. fti upon the latter became sole followed Mr. Reed in the editorial threw the whole weight of the famous election campaign fought by Grey in December, 1875, and January SPI| the veteran statesman won the Aiutieu 5* seat, beat Sir Julius Yogel for the t2L stituency, and went to Wellington^?*\ support of a strong phalanx of members.

Courage in Jonrnaliaa. f On the occasion of the severance of Reed's connection with the "Star* he v* a farewell dinner in the Albert HoteL lb T presided, and, in, proposing the h-lft guest, alluding to the fact that, in coaai* vfe all newspaper writers, Mr. Reed had made enemies, said:—"There are few Auckland whose opinions of Mr. Reed mUI very greatly modified by a peep into room, where they would learn to guest as we esteem him—not merely * severe corrector of public abuses, the j wrongs that need resistance, and the upholder of the cause that lacks < " tgl '»*nrio as the liberal-minded, kind-hearted genial friend.

"Any feelings in opposition to flu,* jfc/! Leys proceeded, "which may have be 4 tained, have arisen through not knowiif fca' as we know him, but I am convinced tiut misconceptions have been with the few and & genuine appreciation with the many. The that Mr. Reed's name has become familiar at household word throughout Auckland as a ton of strength for the wronged and oppressed; tfc 1 his editorial sanctum has been, as ire know it, the first resort and last refuge of those who it poor in purse and broken in spirit, attests fta; and I am sure he will carry with hiia not ila I our good wishes, of which he is assured ] but the good feeling of the vast majority dis - people of Auckland."

Growth Through the Years. In responding, Mr. Reed paid a graceful w® - pliment to the business capabilities of Mr. Brett, which, he said, had contributed in no degree to the success of the "Star.". He also referred in terms of praise to his successor is the editorial chair, who "had ably condneted the 'Star* during his absence in very critical times politically." Mr. Leys thereupon assumed faß editorial control, and filled the editorial duir for the long period of 45 years, a record in Affitralasian journalism. Later he became a partner in the business. In October, 1875, the daily circulation of the "Auckland Star" was 4700. It continued to ' increase with remarkablt rapidity, reaching the 10,000 mark in May, ISS4. Since then the circulation has steadily gro* ll until to-day the "Star" is in the proud position of having a circulation of over 42,000, the largest number of readers of any evening newspaper ® New Zealand.