OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18681, 3 May 1926, Page 7

OBITUARY.

■ * , HON. W. J. GEDDIS. (special to "the press.") NAPIER, May 2. ' A very old and well known figure in , New Zealand journalism died on Saturday night in the person of the Hon. ' W. J. Geddis, M.L.O. The late Mr Geddis was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1860. He arrived in New Zealand as a child in 1864, and was educated at Auckland. He joined the Auckland "Star" in 1874 and became, when 16 years of age, a reporter. He later became sub-editor, but resigned in 1892 to join Mr W. Blomfield in the purchase of the "New Zealand Observer," which he edited for 20 years. In 1908 he joined Messrs H. Brett and T. W. Leys in the purchase of the Napier "Daily Telegraph," awl he became managing director of that ct*upany. In ' 1913 he became managing director and editor of the "N.ew Zealand Times," _ Wellington. During his partnership 'with Mr Blomfield he established the "New Zealand Free Lance" and the "Wafhi Daily Telegraph." In 1918 he was called to the Legislative Council and was reappointed last year. He was one of the party of New Zealand journalists who visited the French front during the war. His brother, Mr J. M. Geddis, was for 36 years a member or tho "New Zealand Hansard" staff, aria is now managing director of the "New Zealand Free Lance," Wellington.