Behind the Scenes in 1890

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

Behind the Scenes in 1890

tr hi hardly necessary to inform my readers that all the setting- iwas done by hand. The linotype had not come into being. T3'pe-setting by hand is a monotonous game, day after day, and little of that class of Avork is now done in newspaper offices of any size.

. The mechanical staff of those days, as far as I can remember, was composed of Messrs C. O. Ekdahl, machinist and general super visor; J. 11. Claridgc, foreman printer; 11. A. [Brunette (who later on relinquished the trade and went to work for his father .as a watchmaker and .jeweller, now a resident of Sydney, I think); C. Evans (now of Western Australia); W. Evans, a brother of the last named; E. Cl. -Betts (farmer of Okaiawa); A. oungall (mho eventually started in business as a photo grap'her and whose business was taken over by Mrs Nielson); the late Mr T. ,1. George (in charge cf the jobbing department); and yours truly, in the commercial division Mr IT. L. Betts ■ was the accountant. lie is now a resident of Stratford. Mr J. 11. Claridge, who was for a number of years foreman printer (by the way, he is a brother of Mrs iR. J. Squire, a wellknown resident of the town), left the office to start the Eltham “Argus” in partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr Taylor. They eventually sold out the business and Mr Claridgc Avent up north and started quite a number of small papers. T-Tc is now a resident of Auckland.

A FOUR-PAGE PAPER i “The Star'' of the days which I refer to was a four-page paper of eight columns. In looking up the old files one is struck with the small amount of cable and telegraphic ucavs that Avas published in those days.. All of it, too, was set up in a condensed and unattractive form. Readers received very little news concerning the outside world, for the cable service was practically in its infancy. A wonderful transformation has been brought about, in the kisfc quarter of a century. There was also a weekly edition called “The Eginont Star.” This was quite a creditable production in those times. It contained the best part of the news of the week and in it was also incorporated a supplement printed by the “Auckland Star." Another publication was issued from the “Jlawera Star” Office once a year. This was the “Star Almanac and Directory.” It contained a A-aluable amount of useful information for reference, statistical summaries, etc., and also a directory of the towns of Taranaki as far :.s Wanganui and its outskirts. The publication of this booklet entailed a great deal of Avork in the 'office. <* m. - MR J. C. YORKE.

My first employer was Air J. C. Yorke. now a resident for many years in Wales. The late Air W. A. Parkinson was editor. A great deal of the, latter’s time. howcA'er, was spent in Wellington during the session of Parliament every year. He was for some time chief of the Hansard staff, and went to Wellington for the period that the House of Representatives nvas in Session.

Air Yorke took a trip to the Old Country before he finally decided, at

the request of relatives, to go there to reside, permanently. On that occasion the late Air James .Kenworthy, an old and highly respected early settler of Paten, who had had considerable journalistic experience, was appointed editor during Air Parkinson’s absence 'ti Parliament. it might be mentioned that Air Yorke had hitherto filled the editorial chair himself on such occasions.

An unfortunate accident happened to Mr Ken worthy one Saturday afternoon. His home was in Patea, and at the

week-ends* ho used to ride home and r<

turn again on .Monday morning. Whilst, engaged in catching his horse the >v animal kicked him on the leg, breaking it# The old gentleman was found in t\tb, paddock and was convoyed to the old cottage hospital in Princes Street, near Svme’.s mill, and conducted bv the late Airs “Granny” Hughes, as she was familiarly called. This was the first'hospital of any kind in Hawera. As a bov i used to go down several times a day wit 1 1 messages to the sufferer, who still edited the paper, notwithstanding his unfortunate predicament. This .was the means of establishing a n’eas.unt acqnninlaare between us.

which cemented into a friendship that lasted for many years afterwards. Mr Kcriworthy was very .hard of hearing and it was only possible to communicate t.vifh him orally by an ear trumpet. .Voti'.vithst-andi ng this almost life-long disability he was a man who made his mark in the journalistic world. He lived to a very ripe agei .

MR W. A. PARKINSON Mr YorJco, -hftor his return from his trip abroad, decided to return and settle in the Old Land permanently. He disposed of the business to Mr W. A. Parkinson, and under the latter’s re giinc “The. Star” made rapid strides. His parliamentary experience on Ilan- ' sard was of great assistance to him —< and the paper was always noted for the

At the invitation of the Editor I shall endeavour, as the oldest member of “The Star” staff, to recount some of my experiences during my long connection with the paper, which dates: from May 5, 1890. Looking back over the long period I can clearly recall the day I first crossed the threshold of the old office in High Street, situated on the present site of the offices now occupied by Mr P. O’Dea. solicitor. In those days the building, which was destroyed by fire in 1895, avas lavo storied. On the top floor Avas the composing room.

fine tone in which it was conducted. One of his chief characteristics as editor and proprietor Avas his desire at all times to allow those who desired to contribute to the paper every coneeivablc latitude, but he -always endeavoured to suppress any undue liber w being given to controversies that might stir up strife amongst the common ita - .

The late chief, right from the infancy of the dairying industry in Taranaki, went out. of his wav' to assist the farmers through the medium of his newspaper, and the help that ho rendered to our primary industry in the early days of its career put “The Star" in the forefront as the recognised leading’' farmer’s daily newspaper. Mr John Scott, who was a well-known member of the staff in those days, also lent valuable assistance in this department of the paper, for he was a man who had had a good deal of practical experience in farming and could wield i facile pen

In after years a son of the proprietor, Air Fred Parkinson, came into the business, and for several years assisted his father considerably. It r.vas a heavy blow to the latter when the son died at an early age after showing much promise. EARLY- PRINTING METHODS The paper Avhen I first entered the office was only a four-page journal, nn j was printed on a Wharfedale machine driven by steam power. To-day everything has bro n revolutionised beyond the realms of imagination of those l’ar-off days. We bad a staff of five or six hand “comps” to sot lip flip paper. Each, on an average, set about ■A column and a iiaif of reading matter a day. To give some idea of the imPiovement in present day methods it m'gat be mentioned mat each of the I.notypes n:w installed in the office

will set tip the same amount of read ing matter in an hour.

In the printing of tlic paper also there is n vast improvement upon the methods of olden flays. The pages of Hie paper were fed in singly and had re be folded by hand afterwards. Everv newspaper runner, too. had to fold his own Imndio of papers. THE BIG FIRE One of the most disastrous episodes in tiie history of “The Star” was the big tire of. 189.") when the building, together (with a great part of the main business premises of the town, were destroyed. Starting near where Huntington’s draper) - establishment is now situated, it gradually swept (‘verything before it. But at the. start no one, realised that it would lake in its toll “The Star” office. There would ha\ - o been plenty of time to have removed most of the machinery and the necessary outfit for the carrying on of the newspaper as usual. It was only when tiie Commercial Hotel took fire that an effort was made by a large gathering cf willing helpers to rescue pi nii a of the type and some of the •i.ti-.er mi"hinery. Much good work - < ! n::e ami sufficient type was saved !•< bring out next day n small edition ' !he pa per. ' Fort ii nn i ely a defunct opposition paper, the “Alorning IV.-d.” in it s building (-anf;lined a

pi infill" in ;i eh ino large onoupfli to print the paper. All tin; hands took spoils at turning the machine liv hand, ns there was no niolivi* power to work it. From the lire were savod the Bible we had for reference mill the office eight-day clock: the latter still records the time in the- present composin'; room One or two cf the hands were not it ware that there had been a fire until they arrived on the scene next morning.

j’lie proprietor was very fortunate in obtaining valuable assistance from'the late Sir Henry Brett, proprietor 10-f’tlie “Auckland Star,” after the fire. This

Setting the Paper by Hand

40 Years on The “Star’s” Staff

(By G-. S. Watts, Printer of the “Star.”)

gentleman had just received from Home a new Wharfedale printing machine which was to have been used to print rue “Graphic,” an illustrated journal that'the “Auckland Star” used to issue each week. On hearing of the unfortunate position, in which Air Parkinson had been placed he generously offered him first-call on this piece of machinery, its early delivery ro “The Star” ensured the issue of the paper in its original form.

FIRST TYPE-SETTING MACHINES The “Auckland Star,” before the linotype machines were brought into use, employed female type-setters. When these were discharged in consequence of the installation of the machines several were taken on -bv the “Jlawera Star,” and worked there for several years. The first type-setting machines that were purchased for “The Star” were two monolines, a totally different machine from the linotype, but they did not prove the success anticipated. After this experiment. it was decided to obtain a linotype, and eventually tiwo Avore installed. The coming of these machines meant that the female operators were dispensed with.

. The steady growth of the paper found the old building inadequate for the requirements of the business, and the firm decided to erect a new building in Regent . Street on the present The removal of the plant was a.

big task, as one c.an imagine, but notwithstanding the large amount of avork entailed it was not long before everything was in working order. PAST MEMBERS OF THE STAFF .Many past employees of “The Star” after leaving for other parts of the Dominion have made good in the realms cf journalism. The late Air W. J. Guerin.--far instance, is a ease in point —a popular gentleman with all with whom lu‘ came in contact." Fie was for u good number of years sub-editor here. Then he was offered and accepted a similar position on tiie “Evening Post” and. also hol-d offices as cable editor and Press Association agent. His death some years ago was received with regret by all connected with the printing trade who had-had the privi-

lege to be acquainted with him. Mis brother Joseph, for some years on the “Star” staff, also was appointed to the staff of the “Evening Post,” and a* present holds the position of chief reader on that journal.

A veiling man who early showed great promise on the literary staff was Vin-

cent O’Brien, son of well-known residents of Opun.ike. He made rapid progress and was for some years on tiie staff of the now defunct “New Zealand Times.”

Jn later years the editorial chair -was occupied by ATr John Christie. He was indeed one of Nature’s gentlemen, and a journalist of high standing. Ilis remains are resting in the local cemetery.