RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32776, 29 November 1971, Page 20

RANDOM REMINDER

THE NEWS BEHIND THE NEWS

Those happy people who enjoy the luxury of their morning newspaper and cup of tea blissfully in bed, could sometime spare a thought for those who unselfishly suffer to bring the paper into being. Not only reporters rushing madly round, journalists feverishly journeying and linotype operators’ fingers furiously flashing; but a host of other trades and occupations are involved, including business managers, editors and office boys. And when all of these positions are carried out by one man alone it will be understood why "a certain country newspaper emerges, not daily, but biweekly. And that, when all is considered, miraculously so. The owner-editor cum linotype operator, etc., of this paper recentlyaccepted the sad fact that he had reached the age of bowls, so joined the

local bowling club. Naturally his knowledge of the game was elementary and when he played his first club match he lost in quick time. He and his erstwhile opponent then cheerfully adjourned to a place where our newspaper man could display greater experience and ability. Here they met up with another friend or so and, after righting the wrongs of the world and imbibing a clearer understanding of the universe and a few beers, our hero turned down numerous suggestions for his afternoon’s entertainment, owing to pressure of work, and belatedly but commendably left to go home for lunch. Lunch over and teeth brushed, he hopped in his car, drove down to his office and courageously started up the linotype machine. Later, a Christchurch newspaper man, a personal friend of our diligent

linotypist, brought along a visitor who had expressed a keen desire to see through the local newspaper office. The main door was unlatched so they walked straight in. On hearing the busy clatter of the linotype machine at so late an hour on a Saturday, the visitor commented an the piety of the operator. The Christchurch man quickly explained how, in the newspaper world, time meant everything, and when something had to be done it was done, no matter what.

And round the corner, to confirm his statement, they came upon the old linotype machine going full bore and the local newspaper proprietor slumped in his chair in a very deep sleep; no doubt turning down some fabulous offer from Lord Thomson, or graciously accepting one from Bridget Bardot.