THE LATE MR JAMES KENWORTHY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 21 (Supplement)

THE LATE MR JAMES KENWORTHY

The following lines were written by an admirer soon after the death of Mr James Kenwortliy, who for a term edited the ‘‘Hawera Star” during the absence of Mr Yorke in England:— Journalists throughout, flic Dominion .will have learned with regret of the (lea tli of the late Mr James Kenworthy, which took place on July £>, 192.1, at the ripe age o'f 82. In these days of opportunism, when so many are to bo found ‘‘trimming their sails” to whatever breeze of public opinion may be blowing, it was refreshing to find one at any rate who ever had the courage of his convictions and was not afraid to proclaim them at all times. Such was James lveni worthy, and it was not only for his fearless outspokenness that his friends admired him. He was the soul of honour and, his word being his bond, anyone having business dealings with him knew that they were likely to ; have a square deal.' By his death many in the Dominion, particularly . the old time .journalists, lost a good ] friend, tried, staunch and true. Born in Manchester in the year of the late

Queen Victoria's accession, he became, familiar with the printing' trade and, being of an adventurous disposition, determined to try his fortunes overseas. Landing in Now Zealand in 1863, he quickly found an appointment with the New Zealand “Herald,” where he served for some time, and after remaining for Id months in Wellington on the stall - of the Governmeat Printing Office, came to Taranaki where, on January 18. 187-1. he published the first issue of a daily paper in Taranaki, .“The Budget,' which afterwards became the weekly edition of the Taranaki “Herald.” .In 1877 he came to Pat.ea to take charge of the P'.rtea “Mail,” now the Baton and Waverley ‘Press,” for Mr A. Black. “Owing to an increasing deafness, however, he had to give up this, task and started a job printing office which h' 1 controlled up to. the lost. lie never lost touch with the journalism work and articles from his pen were to In' found from time to time on various subjects, particularly on those connected with harbour works and the ironsnnd industry, on which matters he had a large and valuable fund of information. At one tune during his career ho filled the office of editor of the Wanganui “Herald,” while the then editor, the late Hon. John Ballance, was in Wellington attending to his Parliamentary duties. At another time during the absence of Air Vorke in England he edited the “Hawera Star.” Whilst in Ilawera he had the misfortune to have, his leg fractured by a kick from a horse, but in spite of this lie continued to. carry out his editorial duties. In his younger days lie took a keen interest in local affairs and left no stone unturned to further the town and district: in which he always had the greatest confidence. In ndditiin to being a wide reader and a deep thinker, the late Air Kemvorthy was one who hold very advanced ideas which made him declare that lie had been born 100 .'ears 100 soon. There is many a journalist in this country and Australia to-day who owes no small portion of his success to the late Mr Kenworthv,

who was always ready to give anyone 1 the benefit of Iris experience and ad- ’ vice. 1 Taranaki’s glorious mountain always 1 had a great charm to Mr Kenworthv 1 and nothing gave Mm greater pleasure * than a trip to its slopes. His first 1 ascent iwas made in IS'72 and his last in 1911, when lie again reached the i summit, this time at the age of 72, < a. feat of which lie was justly proud. i In ISSS he visited the Homeland and : consulted an ear specialist, but derived 1 no permanent benefit. 'Cheerful and 1 •optimistic to the last in spite -of his i groat affliction he went forward carry- 1 jog out. his ideals as far as in him ’ ■ay. To those who knew him iiitim-al-dy, particularly in 1 1 is prime, his i bio was an inspiration and his memory J "ilh f hem is one that nvill never die. t