OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15099, 23 March 1911, Page 8

OBITUARY.

ME G. R. HART. (Peb United Peess Association.)

CHBISTCHURCH, March 22. ' Mr Geo. R. Hart, one oi the uestknown journalists in New Zealand, died suddenly at his residence, latuner square, about midday to-day. Mr Hart anivtd in New Zealand as a small boy with his parents by the Cressy, one of ttie histor.c first four ships, and he spent practically the whole of nis life m Ohristehurcb, watching the city growup from a tiny settlement until what it appears to-day. He was appienticed to tae printing trade, and then joined the profession of journalism, conunumg at L-nat work right up to tho day ot his death. In lact, he actually died in harness, Mr Hart joined the staff of the Press on October 1, 18/U, and was easily the oldest working journalist in the Dominion. He was known in newspaper circles from Auckland to the Muff, and was exceedingly popular'. He was apprenticed as a compositor to the Canterbury Standard, C-hristchurch, in 1854. In 1859, when out of his time, he went across to Melbourne, and was engaged as a com-' positor on Bell's .Life. In 1850 he joined Uie Ovens and Murray Advertiser as a reporter, but tho next year returned to New Zealand, and secured a position o.i the Otago Daily Times lepoiting staff. In 1862 he returned to ChrUchurch, and rejoined tho Canterbuiy {standard. In icoo he was married, and the same year he joined the firm of Tombs and Bent as a compositor. Oh October 1, 18(0, Mr Hait joined the Press as a reporter, ultimately rising to the positkn of chief of staff and dramatic critic, which he held at the time of his death. There was hardly any public movement in this city that Air Hart had not seen initiated, and in very many he took a close and personal interest. In 1871 Air Hart represented the Press and the Wellington Independent (now the New Zealand Times) in the piess galloiy of the House of Bepresentatives. From the time ho joined the staff of the Press till the abolition of the provinces in 1876 Air .Hart continuously reported the proceedings of the Canterbury Provincial Council. To mention all tho important events- with which Mr _ HaTt has been connected would involve the narration of the history of the city for the past 41 years. Air Hart took a keen interest in matters affecting his fellow journalists, and was a member of the iScw Zealand Institute of Journalists. He lost his sole surviving son (Mr Frank Hart) on June 25 last, 'ihe latter, who was also, a member of the reporting staff of the Press, died equally suddenly. Mr ■■tart's elder son died in England about three yews ago. Mr Hart leaves a widow and several daughters.

(FEOM Oub OWN COREESPOKDENT.)

CHRISTCHURCH, March 22,

The -death oi George Hart, to speak of him as thousands ol men in New Zealand spoke of him, makes an undeniablo blank in the life of Christchirrch. liverybody in the city knew liim, and he knew almost everybody. His knowledge of the growth and development of the place was encyclopcedic, and that could only bo possessed by one whose business it had been for more than 40 years to record the day's events. To the ordinary day's work of a journalist, and a desperately long day's work it often was in the days when the stalls were much smaller than they are now, Mr Hart added many duties connected with the various movements in which he took an active interest. He was one of the foundere and most ardent supporters of the Old Colonists' Association, lo which he gave perhaps his best. He enjoyed the present thoroughly, and the cheery disposition which was his strongest characteristic testified to his retention of the "boy's heart" even to old age, but ha had a profound affection for the "old days," which he remembered so well, iir/J lie laboured to preserve their memory. In his younga' years he was an enthusiastic Volunteer, and he was well advanced in life when, in order to help the Queen's Cadets, he undertook Iho captaincy oi one of the companies. Aiin.'High he had lived practically all his life in (Jhrislchurch. lie had the true cosmopjl.taii spirit, and he made himself as welcome in a gathering of Irishmen on St. Patrick's bay as he did among the Scots at Hogmanay. Ho was a member of the Masonic fiatenu'ty, and took a.n active part in bringing about the establishment of the -\cw Zealand constitution. As a dramatic and musical critic for the Press for many years he made the acquaintance and won the friendship of many prominent men and women on the stage and concert platform, ai:d his collection oi photographs of membeis of the profession was lemarkably extensive. Of his work as a journalist it is unnecessary to speak. It is on record in many a thousand udumn of the paper of whose s.aff ho was for so many years the most popular and must widely-known member. To the last lie was a quick worker, but he could work long hours as well, and no later than last night lie attended the first performance of "The Waltz Dream,"and was discussing the merits of the piece with the writer some lime after midnight. The death of his only surviving son Frank last year was a great shock to Mr Hart, :mt a visit of some weeks to the North Island appeared to restore him to Ills accustomed vigorous health, and he bore no signs last night of being within a month or two of his seventieth birthday; in fact, it was a common joke in the office that he g.cw younger as the vkits went on. In some respects his phce can never he fillled, lor no newspaper man in Chrisleluireh can pretend to have iinvthing like his wonderful knowlcd'-e of the history of the city and district. These who have worked with him—smic of them far a. quarter of a- century—will carry with them to the end of their days the memory of his superb chofrfuhi'-Ks, hi.-, unfailing tried temper, and his loyal comradeship.