NEWSPAPER REFERENCES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14055, 29 May 1911, Page 7

NEWSPAPER REFERENCES.

"OTAGO DAILY TIMES."

It is gratifying to us to be able to join in the shower of congratulations which have descended upon our Christchurch contemporary, "Tho Press," ou the occasion of the attainment of its jubilee. Fifty years ago yesterday the first number of "The Press"— then a sixpenny weekly of six small pages—was published in a small wooden three-roomed cottage on tho outskirts of Christchurch. From that dato the career of "The Press" has represented one continuous tribute to the journalistic and business enterprise of the Dominion. "The Press" had not been long in existence before its office was transferred to Cashel street, where for <* period of forty-five years, from premises always increasing in size, tba paper was published. Within two years of its inception it was changed from a weekly into a bi-weekly, then into a tri-weekly, and at length into a daily penny paper of four pages. To the "Otago Daily Times," we may remark, with a certain amount of pardonable pride, belongs the distinction of being the oldest daily paper continuously published in the Dominion, and its jubilee number will be issued on the loth November next. But "The Press" can fairly claim to have been tho first daily paper in New Zealand that was _eve!oped into an eight-paged journal, Litis taking place in 1887; whilst its present printing-house in Cathedral square, Christchurch, is ono of tho most commodious and best-equipped on this side of the line. Tho work of a newspaper office is to a great extent anonymous, but on occasions of this kind it is permitted to draw aside the veil and reveal a few of the personalities who have helped to make a paper the power which it becomes. "The Press" was founded by James Edward Fits.GeraJd, a famous colonist, who sot tho high literary standard which has ever marked the columns of this journal. Samuel Butler, famous as tho author of ''Erewhon," was one of the most distinguished contributors of "The Press," of which Professor Sale, of Otago University, was tho first editor, and tho literary traditions of the journal have been maintained by successive editors, and not least of all by the present editor, MrW T . H. Triggs. Howevery brilliantly a paper be edited, nothing but misfortune is in store, however, unless the business side of ite operations is carefully superintended, and "The Press" was fortunate in having the lato Mr G. G. Stead as its managing director for many years— during, it may be affirmed indeed, somo of the most critical years of its existence. The past of "Tho Press" speaks eloquently for its promise in tho future, and while wo congratulate it upon its jubilee wo extend to it our' best wishes for a still greater prosperity and popularity thau it has yet attained,

"HAWKE'S BAY HERALD." The Christchurch 'Press," which celebrated its jubilee on Thursday, has issued a special number in commemoration of the event. It contains a long biography of James Edward Ki._Gorn.ld, a nuimwhich will always bo honoured in this country, who was tho founder of "The Press," and of Samuel Butler, the famous author of "Erewhon," who was at one timo ou its staff. It publishes congratulatory messages from Mr Chamberlain, Lord Milner. tho present and former Governors, and a host of well-known people in all walks of life here and at Home. "The Press" has had a distinguished career, and we wish it the same great success in the future that it.has had in the past.