OBITUARY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7739, 20 April 1896, Page 2

OBITUARY.

Mil E. T. GILLOtf,

[PSB PBH33 ASSOCIATION."/

Wellington, Last night,

Mr E, T. Gillon, the well-known journal" ist and editor of the Ess-ning Post, died, shortly before 4.30 this afternoon after a. long and painful illness. Deceased pushed away quietly in the presence of his family, and leaves three tons and two daughters.

[Ihe news of Mr Gillon's death will be received with great regiet throughout the colony. Deceased was born in Douglas, Isle of Man, in January, 1542. He arrived iv New Zealand with his parents iv 1851, sod settled in Otago, where for several years he endured the rough experiences of settlement in a new country. While quite a youth he became a contribute: to the Otago Wiinest, and engaged reporting the Provincial Oouncil proceedings for that paper, ivhen, in 1331, tho Otago goldfields were discovered. Mr Gillon was at once sent to Gabriel's Gully as special correspondent for tho Witness, and was tho fi:st press representative on the> diggings, lie remained there until recalled to l/unedin to again report in the ProyinciaS Council, and he was 60 engaged wh&u Ms(now Sir Julius) Vogel arrived frum Australia and, entering into partnership with Mr Outten, established the Otago Daily Times, the first daily paper in fie w Zealand. Mr Gillon joined tho limes staff as chief reporter, and remained on it uutil early the following year, when severe illness oompelled him to relinquish newspaper work for a time. Ho accepted a Government appointmei t, which, after two or three years, tie resigned to resume journalistic work. In 1867 he went to Wellington as a member of the first Hansard stafi, and was subsequently appointed Clerk of Private Bills to the New Zealand Parliament. He resigned this office after a brief tenure in order to devote himself exclusively to literary work, and became connected with the Wellington Evening Post, as well as acting as special correspondent for the Otago Daily Times, Lyttelton Timet, and other leading journals In 1872, when cable communication between Europe and Australia was firet established, Sir Julius Vogel brought about a combination of New Zealand papers for obtaining supplies of telegraphic news, aad Mr Gillon was seleoted as manager. After a time thia association handed its business over to a private firm, and Mr Gillon rejoined ihe Post as cdi tor. In 18 78 another Press Association was formed, and Mr Gillon was again appointed manager. In lets than two years this association absorbed all opposition, and developed into the present United Press Association, which Mr Gillon continued to manage with great success uutil 1884, when--'' he resigned in order to resume hia former position of editor of the Pest. When the .institute of jXow Zealand Journalists waa recently formed, Mr Gillon was nuamaiously ohoeen as Chairman of the Council. At tha time of the abolition of the provinces ho waa ono of the City representatives in the Provincial Council of Wellington. Komo years ago one of the prizes offered by the New Zealand Parliament for the beet essays on the settlement of the people ta the land, was awarded to air Gillon. Deceased occupied h prominent poaiion in tho Masonio body. His death will be a distinct loss, not only to the Post, but also to New Zealand journalism ]