SIXTY-SIX YEARS OLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20480, 4 February 1930, Page 13

SIXTY-SIX YEARS OLD.

GOVERNMENT PRINTING.

FIRST HOME IN AUCKLAND.

Details of the history of the Government printing office, which had its origin in Auckland 66 years ago, are published by the Dominion in noticing tho fact that the fiftieth annual picnic of tho department has just been held. From a humble beginning in Auckland 66 years ago the department has jjrown to immense proportions to-day, printing and supplying stationery to tho Government of New Zealand to tho value of about a quarter of a million pounds sterling annually, while its total assets reach the Same figure. In tho year 1862, a Commission appointed by the Government inquired into the advisability of establishing a printing office. It reported in favour of the proposal, and an order was sent to the Government agent in England to purchase the necessary plant, which arrived at Auckland by tho ship Statesman in June, 1064, at a cost of £844. Mr. J. L. Wilson was appointed Government Printer, and with a staff of eight men and two hoys immediately started operations in a leased portion of a building known as the Lycoum Building situated in Allen Road, in proximity to the Parliament Buildings, then 'situated near the Supremo £ourt. Tho printing was done on double-demy and super-royal Albion presses, which, together with three more presses, which were shortly ' afterwards added, are still in use in the present establishment. The plant and material were soon found to be inadequate and had to be supplemented by an order supplied by Messrs. Sharwood, of Sydney, while again in August, 1864, another order was sent to England. On February 6, 1865, the Government Printer was instructed to arrange steps for tho immediate removal of the printing ofiico to Wellington, but owing to pressure of work this oould not be undertaken until the March following. Not being desirous of leaving Auckland, Mr. Wilson resigned his position of Government Printer, and Mr. George Didsbury, tho overseer, was entrusted with tho work of seeing Hie plant safely to Wellington, subsequently receiving promotion to tho position of Government Printer. The position of overseer was filled by Mr. James Costall, who in 1893 succeeded Mr. Didsbury as Government Printer. On the arrival of the plant in Wellington it was placed in a building on the present Hotel Cecil site.