NEWSPAPER MERGER

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVI, Issue 42, 28 May 1935, Page 4

NEWSPAPER MERGER

"TIMES" AND "SUN" TO CEASE

ON JUNE 29.

Negotiations for a merger of newsr paper interests in Christchurch were concluded yesterday, when arrangements were completed for the purchase of the goodwill of the "Christchurch Times" by the Christchurch Press Company, Ltd., and for the purchase of the goodwill of the "Sun" by the New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd., subject in the latter case to the approval of the "Sun" shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 4.

As at present arranged the "Times" and the ' 'Sun" will cease publication on Saturday, June 29.

Mr C. W. Earle, president of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association of New Zealand, acted as negotiator throughout the proceedings, and contributed in a very great measure to the ultimate settlement.

The "Times" is one of the oldest newspapers in the Dominion, having been established on January 11, 1851, within a few weeks of the arrival of the Canterbury pilgrims. It was first published at Lyttelton and until a few years ago was known as the "Lyttelton Times." The "Sun" has been in existence for 21 years.

For some considerable time it has been obvious that Christchurch could not support four newspapers, and negotiations for a merger have been "-, in progress for several months. It is stated that the reduction in the price of the Christchurch papers means a loss in revenue equal to £30,000 a year.