JOURNALIST RETIRES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1943, Page 4

JOURNALIST RETIRES

MR. G. OSBORNE

One of the best-known personalities in. New Zealand journalism, Mr. George Osborne, commercial editor and dramatic critic of the "Evening Post/ has retired, after 36 years on the staff of this newspaper. At a function yesterday afternoon Mr. Osborne was formally farewelled, and presented with-a cheque on behalf of his associates.! The editor, Mr. J. R. Smith, made the presentation, and in doing so spoke of Mr. Osborne's zeal and ability as a journalist, and his many fine qualities as a friend and colleague. "This meeting of the; staffs of all departments is to tell you how 'much we have appreciated your comradeship and friendship during the 36 years you have been on 'The Post,'" said Mr. Smith, "and how much we have valued the assistance you have always given." He said that . the quality and variety of the work Mr, Osborne had done were amazing. His information and judgment on financial and commercial affairs were sure, and his musical and dramatic criticism was helpful and discerning. The editor made special mention of Mr. Osborne's contributions to the literary pages and his special articles, which, he said, were highly regarded everywhere, especially by those usually critical readers, his fellow-journalists. Mr. Osborne also had done imich to raise the status of the profession, and for this journalists owed him a debt of gratitude. In reply Mr. Osborne spoke of the wrench it gave him to sever all the old associations, and he recalled some of the prominent men with whom he had worked on "The Post" in the years gone by. They were, he said, men who stood out in their profession. He had made many happy friendships and each one of them would remain a very pleasant memory. And another pleasant memory would be the size and representative nature of the gathering assembled to convey their good wishes to him.