Final issue of sports paper

Press, 17 December 1988, Page 9

Final issue of sports paper

By

NEIL CLARKSON

Stair or tne "weexena star learned their newspaper would be published for the last time this evening during their informal Christmas function yesterday afternoon. Its editor, Mr Winton Cassels, was asked back to the Kilmore Street office of the “Christchurch Star” to be told at 2 p.m. the sports edition would cease publication. He returned to the Christchurch Working Men’s Club to tell editorial staff, compositors and two former editors of the “Weekend Star” of its demise. Heads of departments were told at a meeting shortly after 2 p.m. and other staff were advised in notices posted about 2.15 p.m. No staff have been made redundant. About seven edi-

torial staff, two compositors and two advertising representatives would be offered positions within the “Christchurch Star.” The closing of the newspaper will leave Christchurch without a Saturday evening sports edition for the first time in nearly 50 years. The “Christchurch Star Eight O’clock Edition” was published for the first time in September, 1939. It underwent several name changes before becoming the “Weekend Star” in 1976. Mr Rick Swinard, the general manager of the “Christchurch Star,” said in his notice to staff: “Because of continuing losses, it has been decided that publication of the newspaper can no longer be sustained. “The staff of the ‘Weekend Star’ will be redeployed in other departments.

“Other staff members whose duties include ‘Weekend Star’ work will receive an ex-gratia payment equivalent to the appropriate penalty pay-overtime for four weeks of that work.” Mr Swinard said early last evening: “None of the staff are being made redundant. They will be redeployed in the ‘Christchurch Star.’ Positions will be available for them.” He would not be drawn on the amount of Saturday work available for staff of the “Christchurch Star” after the closing. “We still have the ‘Christchurch Star.’ That will entail staff on Saturday.” Mr Swinard said he would not comment on afternoon sports coverage, which had involved many “Christchurch Star” journalists covering sport for the “Weekend Star.”

Ms Trish Grant, the New Zealand Journalists’ Union delegate for the “Christchurch Star” and “Weekend Star,” said the union was disappointed the newspaper was closing. “We feel for the staff who have worked hard for it,” she said. “We are pleased that nobody has lost their job.” Ms Grant said the position over continued week-end work for editorial staff remained unclear. “There is concern that most editorial staff will suffer a drop in income.” The union hoped to hold talks with management soon to clarify the situation, she said. Mr Cassels, who has been editor since June, 1986, would not comment on the closing.