THE FIRST PRINTER OF "THE PRESS."

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14052, 25 May 1911, Page 16

THE FIRST PRINTER OF "THE PRESS."

The following notes, dealing with the late Mr George Watson's connection ivith "Tho Press," of which he was the first printer, havo been furnished by his son, Mr Chas. J. Watson, who mentions that ho was born just above the mouth of the Lyttelton, tunnel shortly after tunnelling operations began, on August 3rd, 18(30. Mr Watson writes:

Whilst the "Lyttelton Times" was the first newspaper office in Lyttelton, Georgo Watson established the first job printing office, not anticipating at the timo that it ivas to bo handed down to history as tho nucleus of tho now magnificent institution, "The Press" of Christchurch.

Tho first negotiations with my father wero opened in May, 1861. The promotors of the proposed "now" paper, subsequently named "Tho Press," deputed the lato Rev. John Raven to go over to Lyttelton and open up negotiations with him for the purchase of his press and sufficient type to start a "new" paper at Christchurch.-This was in the first week in May, 1861, and was followed a few days later by the following letter, dated from Christchurch:—

_%ristchurch, May 14th, 1861. Tuesday.

Sir, —I write to ask yon if can come over to Christchurch to-morrow {Wednesday) morning by the early cart from Lyttelton. Ono of our committee has met with an accident that precludes his moving. I wish, therefore, that you should see him at his house, and I will meet you thero at half-past eleven tomorrow morning. The house is about a mile from Christchurch, on the Papa-r nui road—Mrs Thornton's. It is a house on the left-hand sido of the road,. at a little distance beyond the Bishop of Christchurch's house. Please come without fail (if possible)! 1 shall be glad, of course, to, pay all expense of your coming over.—l remain, yours- truly—(Signed) John Raven. -

I think you will recollect that I called on you last week about the new paper. , To Geo. Watson,: Esq., Lyttelton. As the result of those preliminaries the Lyttelton jobbing offico was purchased, and my father was appointed first printer and business manager, with Mr FitzGerald as editor, and Professor Sale as sub-editor, the Rev. John Raven v Church of Enjrland clergyman, beino: associated with t_i<v»e gentlemen OH the literary staff. Mr Watson subsequently resigned, leaving for Dunedin at the close of 1882, where ho started another jobbing office, remaining thero exception of' two visits to the Homeland—until the day of his death, January Bth, 1910.