OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1655, 22 October 1919, Page 5

OBITUARY.

ALEXANDER McMIJvJN.

FOUNDER OF "MANAWATU . EVENING STANDARD."

Old residents of the Manawatu will deeply regret to learn of tho death of Mr Alexander McMinn, who was well-known throughout New Zealand in journalistic circles. Tho sad event took place at his homo at Dovonport, Auckland, last evening-, after a short illness caused by bronchial trouble. Mr McMinn, when a young man of about twenty yoars of age, camo to Now Zealand from Belfast (Ireland), landing at Auckland on St Patrick's Day. Ho afterwards removed to Wellington, but subsequently took up his residence in Wanganui, where ho was hoadmaster of tho Grammar School. After a short career in tho teaching profession he entered jqurnalism on tho Wnnganui Herald, which -was then conducted by tho lato Hon. John Ballanco. Mr McMinn proved himself a very vigorous and able writer, and in thoso days was recognised as one of tho smartest journalists on this coast. After leaving the Wanganui proprietary, ho joined tho Rangitikci Advocate, but in 1880 Mr McMinn came to Palmerston North and founded tho Manawatu Evening Standard, tho first daily paper between Wellington and Wanganui, the first issue of tho journal appearing on November 29 of that year. The paper was printed on the same hand-press which was used for tho first number of tho Wanganui Herald, and later, the Woodvillo Examiner, which the deceased gentleman also established. Mr McMinn presented tho first copy of the "Standard" to Mr Sylvester Coleman, then a woll-known pioneer and former Borough Councillor of Palmerston North. The introductory "leader" was contributed by tho lato Mr Ballanco, with whom, as stated, Mr McMinn had been associated on tho Wanganui Herald in tho "sixties." After having established tho Woodvillo Examiner, Mr McMinn did not for long retain an interest in this venture, as ho parted with tho paper to Mr Haggen. In 1891 ho disposed of his interest in the "Standard" to Mr F. Pirani (who subsequently sold to tho. present proprietors) and removed a few years later to Masterton, where he occupied the position of subeditor of tho Wairarapa Daily Times under the lato Mr Payten, then editor and proprietor of that journal. This position Mr McMinn ably filled for a number of years, and then ill-health compelled him to relinquish it and to take a well-earned rest in Palmerston North. Having regained something of his former robust constitution, Mr McMinn, about soven years ago, took up his residence at Auckland, where he occupied a post on the literary staff of tho Auckland Star up to the time of his decease. Mr McMinn was a gontleman of robust constitution in his early days, and indeed until well past his prime in life He travelled the coast between Wellington and Wanganui most extensively, and there were fow men better known in this respect in the early days. Forty years ago it was a common thing for him to mako frequent trips botweon Wellington and Wanganui on horseback, traversing tho old coach route along the coast, and on more than one occasion he had as his companion the late Dr. Rockstrow, of Foxton and Palmerston North, who was, in those days, medical health officer for tho Natives botweon Horowhonua and Rangitikei. Tho roads, such as existed in those days, were frequently up to the horse's girths in mud, but the experience gave Mr McMinn a wide circle of acquaintances and a big influence with the .natives, ho knowing all the big chiefs intimately. The deceased gentleman lenves a widow iind four surviving sons—Francis Alexander (Dannevirke), Garnet (Taumarunui), Gordon (Bendigo), Leslie (Taikorea), and ono daughter—Mrs Whalley (Palmerston North). Tho late Mr Archibald McMinn, tho well-known footballor, was also a son. Mr McMinn was always of a most cheerful naturo, and his natural courtliness of manner and kindness in many w:;ys # endeared him to his numerous friends in journalism and in other pursuits. Their respect for him was always of that nno j nature in which a gentleman of his calibre is held, and his death wilrbe deeply | regretted by a wido circlo of fnonds.