Obituary Mr G. G. Muir

Press, 16 July 1987, Page 13

Obituary Mr G. G. Muir

PA Gisborne A 60-year association with newspapers and a life-long link with the “Gisborne Herald” was ended by the recent death of Mr Geoffrey Grey Muir. , He was 79. Mr Muir was editor of the "Gisborne Herald” for 15 years from 1949 and later managing director of the company. At the time of his death he was chairman of the company’s board of directors. The Muir family association with the “Gisborne Herald” dates back to about 1880, when Allan Ramsay Muir accepted a position as printer on the "Poverty Bay Herald.” Later he became sole proprietor. Mr Geoffrey Muir served as chairman of the New Zealand section of the Commonwealth Press Union, on committees of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association and New Zealand Press Association, and was a member of the East Coast Research and Development Association. For three years he- was a director of the Press Association. In 1970 he was awarded the M.B.E. for services to journalism and the community. Mr Muir was the son of Mr and Mrs Charles W. Muir. He was born in Gisborne and educated at Gisborne High School and then Canterbury University College, where he

gained a bachelor of arts degree and diploma in journalism. He entered journalism in 1927 and worked on “The Press,” "Dominion,” "New Zealand Herald," and "The Times,” London, where he gained experience as the holder of a fellowship under the Empire Press Union training scheme. He was also attached to a New Zealand Government delegation to London in the capacity of press liaison officer. In 1937, Mr Muir married Anna Mary Brindle, in Liverpool, England.

Mr Muir served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force for four years in World War 11. His service included two tours of duty in the Pacific.

He joined the "Gisborne Herald’s” editorial staff as a sub-editor and leader writer in 1946 and served in those capacities until appointed editor. Mr Muir served as managing director of the company from 1964 to 1980. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.