AMALGAMATION OF NEWSPAPERS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21512, 29 June 1935, Page 14

AMALGAMATION OF NEWSPAPERS

HISTORY OF "TIMES" AND "SUN" OLDEST AND YOUNGEST DAILY JOURNALS The arrangement by which the goodwill of the "Christchurch T.mes" has been acquired by the Christchurch Press Company, Ltd., and that of the "Sun" by New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., publishers of die "Christchurch Star," brings to an end the oldest and the youngest daily newspapers in New Zealand. The "Christchurch Times" was almost. as old as the province of Canterbury, having been published continuously since 1851, and the "Sun," first pub'l.shcd in 1914, recen'Jy celebrated its twenty-first anniversary. On Monday "The Press" will be the only morning newspaper published in Christchurch, and the "Christchurch Star" the only evening newspaper.

The "Lyttelton Times" was planned before the Canterbury colonists left England. Ingrain Shrimpton, one of the best-known printers .n England at the time, invested more than £2OOO in the venture and shipped type, paper, ink, and other necessary equipment to Canterbury by (he Charlotte Jane, the first vessel of the First Four Ships to anchor in Lyttelton Harbour. The first editor was Mr J. E. FitzGerald, who la'er became the first Superintendent of the province. The first subf dilor was Mr F. Knowies, later Canon Knowies. Both positions were honorary. Early Days of Province The printing plant when landed at Lyttelton had to remain in the open until a building to house it was erected. Some of the work of setting up type for the first number was done in the open, and the first number was published from a partly fin shed building, one of the walls of which was made of canvas. Appearing as a wee': y for the first lime on January 11, 3851, it became a daily in July, ICGS, three days before the first mail left Christchurch for the West Coast goldfields. Many notable men were associated with the paper, outstanding among its early ed tors being Mr Crosbie Ward, whose writing was remarkable for a gusto and a freedom that nowadays would result in many libel actions. It was in 1850 that Mr Wiliam Reeves became a partner, and lie was the man who really built up (lie business into its characteristic 'orrn. Mr R. A. Loughnan and Mr S. Saunders, both s'rong Liberals, as editors, guided Ihe policy of the paper in later years. From 1863, when the offices of the paper were transferred to Christchurch, the name "Lyttelton Times" was really a misnomer. In 1A29 an amalgamation was effected between the "Lyttelton Times," the "Chr'stchurch Star," and the pronrietors of the "Auckland Star," the name of the controlling '-ompany being changed to "New Zea'and Newspapers, Ltd." It was at this time that the name by which ,f ie paper had been known for nearly 00 years was changed to the "Christchurch Times."

Founding of the "Sun" The "Sun" commenced publication n Christchurch on February 6, 1914. largely through the efforts of Mr rC. C. Huie, who in 1012 was instrumental in floating the Canterbury Prblrhing Company, L'd., the capi'al subscribed to launch the newsnaner being £41.000. Mr Huie was editor from 1914 to 1925, and was managing director from 1920 until 'he present amalgamation was completed. The original directors were the 'ate Mr D. D. Macfarlane, the late Mr A. H. Turnbull. and the la'e Mr •T. J. Dougall, Messrs H. D. Acland. W. G. Jamieson, and J. I. Royds. The first business manager was Mr J. H. Dolamore. The successive editors of the paper after Mr Huie were Mr P. S. Crisp, 1925-27, Mr J. H. Hall, 1927-33, and Mr H. McD. Vincent, who was appointed in 1933. A movement to extend the company's operations to Auckland was initiated in 1925, when the prospectus of Sun Newspapers, L*d.. incorporating the Canterbury Publishing Company, was issued. The new had a nominal capital of £300.000 in £1 shares of which 100 000 fu'ly paid up were 1o be Plotted to the shareholders of the Canterbury Publishing Company. The "Sun" commenced publicat'on in Auckland on March 23, 1927, and it ceased on September 20, 1930. when it was announced ihat the goodwill, property, and plant had been purchased by New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd.. ar.d that the "Sun" would be incorporated in the "Auckland S'nr." At the same time it wastated that Sun Newspapers. Ltd. wou'd continue to publish the "Sun," Christchurch.