107 Years, And Now Goodbye—‘News’

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31595, 5 February 1968, Page 22

107 Years, And Now Goodbye—‘News’

(New Zealand Preet Association)

' INVERCARGILL, February 4. The “Southland News” went out of business yesterday afternoon with the front page headline “107 years ... and now goodbye.”

The lead story said the “News” made its appearance when sailing ships slid up the Invercargill estuary and horses pulled sledges through the muddy streets of a shanty town in the tussocks. “It has survived countless crises and attritions only to fall victim to a contracting economy in sophisticated times when, ironically, there is a steady growth of local population and high hopes of important industrial developments.”

The demise of the “News,” one of New Zealand’s oldest newspapers, came 13 days short of Its one hundred and seventh birthday. On its front page today the “News" reproduced the front page of its No. 1 copy—the “Southern News and Foveaux

Strait Herald,” with the date, line Saturday, February 16, 1861. About 80 staff members and others followed the last processes of the final edition, culminating with the press run. The final paper printed a letter from the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr Neil Watson). In it he said “the disappearance of your newspaper from the local scene after over 100 years of service is very much regretted, particularly as the lives of so many of your staff will be affected. “The ‘News’ has always strongly supported progress in the city and province and we are grateful for you and your predecessors’ forward look.” The “News” will be incorporated as from Monday in an afternoon edition of the “Southland Times.”