Obituary Mr Tahu R. P. Hole

Press, 2 December 1985, Page 45

Obituary Mr Tahu R. P. Hole

BY ■

PETER O’HARA,

NZPA staff correspondent London “The Times” newspaper has paid tribute to 'Tahu Hole, of Christchurch, whose journalistic career was lauded by the British and attacked by the Nazis. Mr Hole, who died, aged 77 in a nursing home recently, was also in the headlines six years ago when he and his wife were left £1.6 million (54 million) by a friend after they retired to Dorset. Mr Hole, a 8.8. C. wartime commentator who became editor of 8.8. C. News and received the C.8.E., was described in “The Times” obituary as “a rock of a man.” He was “the most powerful influence in upholding standards” at the 8.8. C. during his editorship from 1948 to 1958, “The Times” said. “A forceful, though taciturn, New Zealander, he had a strong attachment to the Commonwealth. He did much to develop understanding in difficult times between the United Kingdom and the older members of the British family of nations before, during and after the Second World War.” He was a news commentator in the 8.8.C.’s Empire News Department in 1942, and later transferred to the main news division, then became overseas talks manager in 1944.

The British “Who’s Who” says Mr Hole was frequently attacked by the Nazi propaganda department for war-time broadcasts, and cards listing his activities were found in Gestapo headquarters files ’ after the fall of Berlin. A British countess, Lady Abingdon, left her fortune to Mr and Mrs Hole in 1979. They said it would all go to medical research after taxes were deducted. “At our age we are not going to use it all, and we have no children to leave it to,” Mr Hole was quoted as saying. Tahu Ronald Pearce Hole was born in Christchurch on March 29, 1908. He attended the Sydenham School and later Canterbury University College. He became a reporter and leader writer on New Zealand and Australian newspapers, winning a New Zealand award for best journalism when he was 21. In 1937 he became the London correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald.” “The Times” said: “A singularly impressive man in his quiet way, he soon established links with a number of senior British politicians, seeking to act as an interpreter of Antipodean affairs to them, while they helped him to explain British attitudes to the peoples ‘down under’.” The newspaper said that

he “came into his full domain and into public prominence” when he was appointed editor of B-B.C. News at 40. “Slow of speech and strong in opinion, the fewness of Hole’s words could make them sound all the more caustic. “He was a rock of a man, both physically and in character, not inaptly described as craggy. Not everyone found him easy to get on with. He won respect more often than affection. “His view of the responsi-

bilities of the gathering and dissemination of news was austere. When he thought principles were at stake he would never compromise.” The Times said Mr Hole was less happy when he became director of administration for the 8.8. C. in 1958, and he parted company with the organisation two years later. “It was announced that he had left to develop his other interests. He became a largely withdrawn figure, but a man those he had worked with could never forget”