Journalist — historian Pat Lawlor dies

Press, 20 January 1979, Page 6

Journalist — historian Pat Lawlor dies

PA Auckland Mr Patrick Anthony Lawlor. a widely known New Zealand journalist and author, died last evening in Auckland, aged 86. Mr Lawlor was born in Wellington, where he spent most of his life until he moved to Auckland recently. Educated by the Marist. Brothers and at St Patrick’s College, Wellington, he began on the “Evening Post” in 1911. Later he joined the “Dominion,” and then the now’ defunct “New Zealand Times,” representing that newspaper in the Parliamentary press gallery. For a time he was on Sydney’s “Daily Telegraph.” In " 1924, Mr Lawlor returned to Wellington as the New Zealand representative of the magazine, “Aussie,” and the editor of its New Zealand edition. In 1926 he became editor of the “N.Z. Artists’ Annual,” which, with the magazine, ceased publication in the economic depres-

sion of the 19305. For 30 years Mr Lawlor was the New Zealand representative of the “Sydney Bulletin.” He was the foundation secretary of the State Literary Fund and for 20 years was honorary organiser of the Homes of Compassion street day appeal, which raised nearly $200,000 in that period. He founded the New Zealand branch of the International Writers’ Organisation, P.E.N. and the New Zealand Ex Libris Society, and was honorary organiser of the Churchill Auctions. He was a foundation member of the Friends of the Turnbull Library and a past president. In recognition of his work for the Catholic Writers’ Movement, which he founded in 1940, he was elected to the gallery of Living Catholic Authors (United States). For 40 years he was a frequent contributor to Roman Catholic journals in New Zealand and abroad. Mr Lawlor wrote a novel

about a family who lived in Cuba Street, Wellington, “The House of Templemore.” His “Confessions of a Journalist” (1935), perpetuate the memory of numerous newspaper and political figures. He was better-known for his “Old Wellington Days” (1959), and a lavishly illustrated volume, “Pat Lawlor’s Wellington” (1976). His literary work plus the social welfare activities earned him the 0.8. E. in the New’ Year Honours of 1976. Mr Lawlor is survived by his wife, one son (Mr Peter F. Lawlor, of Santa Fe), and three daughters (Mrs G. W. Barrett, Wellington; Mrs M. Newman, Taupo; and Mrs P. J. Bartlett, Auckland), 21 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren.