THE OLD DUNEDIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15301, 15 November 1911, Page 17

THE OLD DUNEDIN.

EARLY JOURNALISM. Upon-what scene did the nuw-born journal venture?.. : A sceno of primitivo roggedness in the throes of a reluctant surrender to the toil of man—such was Dunedin. lloads on paper and occasionally in existence; section? mathematically accurate on plans lml ill-defined in fact; wooden houses and buildings of a rough effectiveness; canvas tents dusted picturesquely between, around #nd all about; life, rough, vigorous, and homely; toil the ono factor of predominance; energy, the one coin of ever-redeemable currency; a town of vast hopo and all abundant confidenec; a town nglow with the magic and glitter of gold—transformed by it as by a fairy wand from the restrictions of nought but a carefully, cannily-exorcised Scottish caution directed along the lines of agricultural and pastoral effort;—upon such a scenc, with such accompanying circumstances, did the first number of the Olago Daily Times look forth. Earlier journalistic enterprise in connection with tho young settlement had been modest, evanescent, and not invariably crowned with success. Tho "Otago Journal" wn's a publication issued in Edinburgh in-January of 1848, its.object being the dissemination of news of the new land amongst prospective settlers. In the young settlement, however, there ap-

neared on December 13, 1848, the " Otago News," which boasted four pages of small size and was sold for 6d a copy. Its life opened as a fortnightly, its imprint reading "Printed and published every alternate Wednesday afternoon by Mr H. B. Graham, Rattray street, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand." After 13 isiues ha<f been 6truck off, it budded forth as a weekly, and, on June 9, 1849, its size was enlarged. But it was before its time. On December 21, 1850, its press ran off tho last copy of tho "Otago News." The advantages of the existence of a public print, however,, woro go manifest that a group of business men in the then embryo city formed themselves into a company with tho object of supplying tho community with a newspaper, and on February 8, 1851, tho first issue of tho "Otago Witness" was produced. Mr W. H. Cutten wm tho first editor. The paper was at first issued in four pages of four columns each. Willi tho advance of the settlement, however, it soon prow to eight pages. In regard to the titlo it is interesting to notice that, in the desiro to make Dunedin as far as possible a replica of Edinburgh, the title of "Witness" for its newspaper was borrowed from the Edinburgh " Witness," which had been rendered famous by the publica-

hmv in it of much of the work of Hugh Miller, the renowned geologist. Subsequently the proprietors of tho Witncss, in recognition of hi« services to the community as editor, made Mr Cutton a present of the paper in terms of a letter, uf which a facsimile u givon b.'low. For somo 10 years Mr Cutten continued' on the even tenor of his way, building up a steady circulation for his weekly. The Birth of the Otago Dally Times. So t.in» on until a most momentous event iu tlic history of Otago occurred., Gold, which had long been known to exist in 6null quantities in certain localities, ivns found in highly valuable deposits by Uabriel Read in the Tuapeka district in April, 1861. Quickly tho news transformed tho young _ settlement—the peaceful quiet of Dunedin was rudely shattered; tho goldlust entered home and hostel; it fired tho imagination of youth and tho cooler yet still sueceptiblo brain of manhood; it lured one and all, mora or Icjs compellingly, to the pursuit of this now industry. Population flowed towards tho El Dorado. Every boat brought its burden of eager scokeis. Man followed man, crowd succocded crowd, and that which before waa all jieace was now all excitement and trumoil. The fajnc of tho new discoveries spread rapidly to and through Victoria, to which land 10 years before tsomo had gone from Otago on tho samo dominating quest, and lliero streamed in from that quarter a mighty volume of people. With these eamoono (o whoso pcracn ality the establishment o£ this paper w,i. ■due. Julius Vogel. young, brilliant, cn. luknt, Wstcrlul, —he it was who saw i;iopportunity nnd urged the necessity f<>. the establishment of a daily newspaper t<; meet tho needs of tho growingq country. Mr Cutten, the proprietor of the Otag-.i Witness, yielded to his convincing argilmeiils and embarked upon the production of a daily journal—llia Otago Daily Times —and on tlio 15th day of November, 1861, the first issue of the now daily tvas made. Financially at the outset the venture was Mr Cutten's own, but Mr Vogel occupied the editorial chair from the first issue, and after a few weeks was admitted by Mr Cutten into a partnership, under tho title of Cutten and Vogel. By this firm tho commercial management wan entrusted to Mr 1). L. Farjeon, subsequently known as a successful novelist, who, liko Mr Vogel, nad been attracted from Victoria by tho Lews of the discoverv of fold. The control of tho mechunicaf and commercial staff was in the capable hands of Mr Daniel Campbell, who had been specially brought from Edinburgh some years previously to undertake the management of the Otago Witness for Mr Cutten.

A facsimile. of tho first issue of the Daily I'imi's is with this jMihlicntioii. and may be allowed to sucak for itself. Right from the start the paper was mtccessfully established. Tho previously mosaic littlo villa was now quite a bustling centre, and within a wcok or so of tho first, publication tho circulation of the paper reus to over 2750 copies. The editorial control of .Mr Vopel was capable and strong. and was direete<l with a singlo eyo towards furt!iciin<r the interrala of tlio town and province. Tho commercial and general management was equally satisfactory, the circulation grew, and it Income ovident that tho paper was to wield n considerable influence in tho community; advertisements crowded its columns, and its early succcfs gave promise of a long and flourishing carcer. Hut, as though to emphasise tho lesson that the most, brilliant prosperity is but a *tep removed from advumty, thmo oo

curred on Sunday, December I, 1861—only about a fortnight from 'ho date of tho ill'st issue—a disastrous fire, which totally destroyed the offices of tho ola.Ro Daily Times and Otaao Witness, and also Greatly damaged neighbouring buildings. The loss was estimated at £10,000. Tho buildings were situated in Princes street, between Stafford and Walker streets, and the following Bcntcneo from tho ceport of tho incident is strikingly indicative of the extent to which tho configuration of the foreelioro of Dun edin has since been altered "The descent from tho spot to tho bay is almost precipitous, yet three or four filca of men miccccdod in obtaining footing and passing tho buckets nearly a quarter of a milo to tho burning buildings." _ ' It is interesting to note in connection with tho fire that in tho short period of tho paper's existence tho great lack of adequate provision in the town for fighting firo had hcen tho subject of comment in its columns. On the very day on which ' tho disaster was recorded tho paper contained tho following reference to this matter: " Our prophecy that the citizens would havo to suffer for ' heir careless indifference has come to pass; only wo did not calculate to bo ourselves amongst tho first victims of the result we foreboded, j Truly, with us ' coming events cast their ! shadows before.' " A firo brigade was sub-

sequviitly formed, this consummation being primarily atlritulablo lo U>o representalions of tho paper. Tho misadventure of the firo was not Allowed, however, to interfere'with tho regular publication of the paper. The proprietor of the Colonist, with that readiness for which journalists tho world ov:r assist one another in times of dilliculty, struck off the next issuo on one of iiis presses. In apologising for tho various shortcomings incidental to itfl hurried preparation under such circumstances as those, tho Daily Times.remarked "Wo linve only to any that it was impossible for us to do more, lint for tho determination not to allow a lapse in the publication of the daily paper, we would not have appeared at all this issue; indeed, wo may say we have dono so in tho teeth of the greatest difficulties. Wo have only to ask our readers' indulgence for a short while. Tho arrival of the steamer Oscar will put us in possession of fresh material, when wo will come out double our present eize." Progress of Paper and Provinoe. Tho promise contained in the last sentence wo liavo just quoted was duly carried out in the first issuo in tho' new year of 1862. Tho publication on that occasion consisted of a four pag.; sheet of six columns each, the length of the page being about threc-fourtlu that of the Otago Daily Times of today. In addition to the four regular pagw a jiiipplenicnt of two pages was printed containing special r.cwa received by the Melbourne mni.. After firu temporary premises were iv.ind for tho paper for a short period vut a new home was soon erected, the ontract time for its completion being i fortnight! Tliu opportunity presented bv the commencement of the new year for striking a rough balance of the year's progress oil tho part of (lie provinco was ti-kcn by the paper. As ail introduction lo certain statistics it was remarked : " The 12 months that havo just-elapsed liavo been singularly eventful to this province; indeed, it is not t(>:> much to assert that since tho'. first day of January, 1861, Otago Ims entered upon an absolutely new er.i in its history. The wonderful auriferous wealth of the country has, since that date, been brought to light; population has flocked to its shores, capital lias been poured in, commerce has been developed and in every way the material progrcM of the province 'has advanced more within a few short busy months tli,in for years before."

The gold which was tho causo of this great, _ acce?« of prosperity told its tale in a cogent column. ' Tho firsi escort of gold was received in Dunediu ""•Inly 12, 1861. It amounted to only 500 ounces. Tho subsequent receipts by the fortnightly escorts were 2000oz 50660z, 7/59()/, 11,2810z, 12,4820?„' 15,4000z, 19,7000z. and finally 35,1000z on November 14. After this date the escorts came down weekly, and at the end of the year tho quantity of gold thai Imd been received was 206,44507, of a value of £727,426 7s lOd ! Tho export duty was 2s 6d per ounce, and this sourco of revenue yielded to tho province a sum of £23,461 10a >10d. While tho mineral wealth of tho provincial district- was thus being demonstratcxl, tho population of the settlenicnt increased apace. At tho end of December, 1860, tho 'estimated population of Otago was 7449 males and 5242 females, making a total of 12,691 souls. In theso figures wero included the inhabitants of tlic district of Southland, which, however, was before the cud of

that year 1861 created a distinct province. The census for 1861 was taken on December 16, but at January 1, 1862, tho figures were not officially completed and tho Times accordingly published instead tho arrivals and departures for tho year. This list showed the male arrivals to havo been 19,758, and tbe female 1183. 'Xho departures wero 5982 males and 154 females. Theso figures were, when the children were included in the calculation, reckoned to show a net gain to the provincial district of 15,619 boulb. On this basis, and allowanco being inado for the natural increase of permanent residents, the population of Otago would be about 29,0(A) or 20,000 on January 1, i«6l. 'lo servo tho interests of this growing community was the object of tho Daily Times. Carefully and conscientiously it undertook its' task. At a time when rumour and countcr rumour flow over the laud with the wings of night, tho publication of falso information would inevitably have been attended by disastrous consequences to thoso putting their faith in the accuracy of the ncv.s supplied by tho paper and, ultimately, to the journal itself. Tho greatest caution aivlcaro wero therefore exercisod to verity all information that was received about the goldjieifds; or, if verification wcie not possible, tho' publication of it was accompanied with a caution as to its acceptance as trua. Owing to tho difficulty of producing the ,)aper at tho timo of the excitement that waj aroused by the deposit of 8?lb pure gold by Hartley and Riley in August, 1862, the pricv of .the' Times had to ba raised to sixpence per copy. In the course of tho announcement ol tho advance In uio price of tho paper it was stated that .j step was induced by the enormous increase in wages which it was found necejsary to give compositors—namely, 50 per cent'. Even before this increase tho com-' posilors received fully 50 per cent, more .an did tho Melbourne compositors. In iddition tho prices of material hero were luclt higher than in Melbourne. The increase in prico was, therefore, forced upon -no proprietors. Tho conucssion was, how ever, olfered to tho subscribers that they might receive their copics for 20s per quarter (£4 per annum), this, being much lea* tiian an averago of 6d per copy. It was mentioned also that to faciliate the pub..'cation of tho paper a powerful steammgino to drive two cylinder printing machines had just been imported from ngland and was being erected. ■ •' The paper's Early Days. Mr Vogel, besides controlling tho editorial columns of the Times, acted also as editor of tho Otago Witness, which, cf course, was owned by the samo proprietary. For a tiirte, however, tho interests of the daily entirely dominated those of tho weekly," which became thereforo very' largely a reprint of what appeared in tho Otago Daily Times.

All important libel ease against the papor, which resulted in Messrs Cntt-.".! and Vojjel being mulcted in £500 damages, was heard in October,' 1861. T)ie hearing of the case extended over two days, and tho icport in tho paper occupied 23 columns in length. The plaintiff in tho case was the Now Zealand Banking Corporation (Ltd.). Mr Justice H. S. Chapman occupied the bench, while a special jury was empanelled foe the case. Tho libel was published in tho way of comment upon an offer made by Mr S. 8. Hutchison to tho directors of tho Dunedin (ins Company to lease their premises from them, and it purported to show that tho banking corporation, from which Mr Hutchison would have obtained his backing, was not a public bank, but was evading the law by pretending to be a public bank. The plaintiff corporation lilegn.i that the statements made had its credit and reputation and its banking business, whereforo it sought lo recover from defendants tho sum of £5000. Mr (now Sir) James Prendcrgast (afterwards Attorney-general, and later still, Chief Justice), Mr C. E. Barton, and Mr James Smith were counsel for the plaintiff, and Messrs Sewell and Garrick, of Christchurch, appeared for' the defence. The verdict of tho special jury was tint tho words used were defamatory and not fair comment and that thu plaintiff was entitled to damages lo tho amount of £500. Mr Cutten, who was a man of a very contouted mind and indisposed to assume the responsibilities and worries incidental to the control of a daily paper, did not long retain his interest in the growing business, for he was induced shortly afterwards to disposo of his share lo Mr Farjeon. and the firm then assumed tho title of "J* Vogcl and Co." Tho First Dally Times Company. On the 12th February, 1866, Mfftvs Julius Vogcl and B. L. Farjoon disposed of thislr property to Mr Joini Bathgate (afterwards Judge Bathgato), Mr Frank Churchill Simmons, rector nf tho High School, and Mr James Rattray, merchant, who wero acting as agenls for a company which was auout to be formed. This company was duly formed, the shareholders being representative of tho be#t commercial and professional lifo of Ihe day. Owing lo tho records of tlw old company having almost completely been destroyed at the time : of the formation of the present company in 1878, much of the detailed history of the concern in those early days has been lost. There remain in existence, however, somo printed minutes of meetings of shareholders held in 1868, one of which is particularly of interest. At this time tho company's buaimas was not flouii«hing to tho extent that it had been hoped would be tho case, and at a meeting held in the Athenruiim on, March 31, 1868, to receive the half-yearly report for tho' period ended January 31 of that year, tho r.tcp was taken of reducing the number of directors to three—those chosen for these positions being Messrs W. I). Murison, James Rattray, and J. Vogcl, At another meeting hckf on Julv 28, 1868, an important offer was placed "before the

shareholders. The offer was from Messrs Vogel, Fox, and D. Campbell, of whom tho last mentioned had been appointed manager in 1867 on Mr B. L. Far]eon proceeding to London in connectibn with his literary enterpriecs. In effect tho proposal was to leaso tho plant, business, and premises of tho company for the sum of £1000 a year, together' with some arrangement regarding tho payment-of rent for the existing premises. It was pointed out in the letter in which this offer waa contained that the company by accepting it would bo enabled to redeem a considerable_ number of the debentures which it ifsued at tho lime. of the purchase from Messrs J. Vogel and Co., and would have an assured sum of £750 a year for division amongst tho shareholder*. Tho proposal, however, was not deemed sufficiently alluring, even although at tho time- the affaira of tho company wore not very prosperous, and it was declined by 96 votes to none.

At tho time of tho salo of the property to the company in 1866 it had beon agreed that Mr Vogel was to continue to act as editor and Mr Farjeon as manager. In 1867, however, Mr Farjeon decided to proceed to London and in tho following year tho terviees of Mr Vogel as editor wero dispensed with. That tho reason for this ttep may bo mado clear it becomes

necessary (or us to go batk somewhat and to explain the nature of. the activities>in which Mr Vogel waa engaged. The performance of tlio editorial duties of a growing daily far frnm satisfied iiis ambitious spirit. He transferred to Now Zealand thooo political rspiratioiu which ho had unsuccessfully endeavsured to gratify in Victoria, and 011 his arrival and settlement here he lost no timo ill entering political life. At tlio cantcst in May, 1863, for the olection of members of the I'i'Ovinm! Council, lie was defeated in his candidature for tlio Dunediji 'City constituency. On that occasion there were 12 candidates for seven seats. Some 400 electors voted, and Mr Thomas Dick was returned at the head of the poll with' 303 votes, while Mr Vogel, for wnom only 114 votes were recorded, occupied the placo oncc removed from the bottom. Nothing daunted, however, .Mr Vogel, 111 response to the solicitations of some 16 Sectors in the Waikouaiti district, contented a few weeks later to stand for that seat. His opponent was Mr John M'Gloshan, and the result of the poll (at which every clector in the district was supposed to Imve voted) was: Vogel 21, M'Ulaslian 16. Consequently on Juno 25, ltJ53, Mr Vogol won his scat in the Provincial Council and took (ha first decisive step which led him 110111 journalism to politics. On entering tho Provincial Council ho became moro and more engrossed in political affairs, and his public activities prc\cnted him from attending so closely would otherwise have been the com to tho interests of the papers. This proved hij uiidcing in one respect.

About 1867-8 tho Otngo Daily Times, which had been sold to the company at a certain • guaranteed piofit on invested capital, began to feel the ofTccts of the depression that sooner or later affects cny town which rlseato prosperity on wsuoden a tidal wave m Dunedin had done. This necessitated t!iu cxerciso uf great care in the management of the paper nnJ, together' with the dissatisfaction induccd by tho editor's political proclivities, con tributed to tho erection of friction and i' harmonious relationships between .ie directorate of tho company and Mr v ygel The directors believed that Mr "/ogel'a political activity was not with tho adequate performanco by Lim of hi editorial duties and decide' to dispcnsi with his services. This intimation vi:< made to Mr Vojjel on April 27, 1G63, by letter from Messrs J. lint tray ami W. D. Miirlson, directors. This • document was accompanied by a covering note from Mr J. Bathgate, secretary to the company, in which \va3 cxpressrd tho reluctance experienced ly t!ic directors in arriving at their detcvmin:itio;i, which, however, in tho circumstances, they con sidered was tho only course open to them.

. Mr George UurivJt Bartcn, a barrister and solicitor, from Sydney, wes appointed editor in succe.sion to Mr Vogcl, and held tho position fcr n period of twoyenro. During his terra of editorship were puth lished the articles that Jed to tlio ftimoiis libel action, of tho Government Telegraph Department against tho Otago Daily Times. This action was provoked by tho publication in tho paper of sevcro strictures anent the alleged violation of Becrcey in respoct of an importnnt pross Iclcgiani addressed to tho Daily Times. The case is reviewed with some degree of fulnes3 in another portion of this issue. Mr W, ]). Murium, :i run-

holder, who has ''been mentioned as » director of tho company, succeeded Mi Barton ail editor, and continued to act in that capacity till 1877. He had than filled the chair for about seven years. Mr Mu'rison wa& a nun of varied accomplishment* and of high qualifications for hia office. To sound judgment consummate tact he added au. engaging icrv-. derness of feeling and kindliness of deposition. He waa a prominent athlete in his day, and he was credited with being " the fattier of acclimatisation " in Otago. An Important Change. At tho close of the year ltf77 an important event in the history of 'the paper occurred, This was its purchaso from tno old company uy Mr (i. M. Beed and Air ueoi« B tenwick, who ultimately floated tlicr venture into the limited liability company whidi at present, under tho titlo of tho Otago Daily Times and Wilnaa Newspapers. Company (limited). ° Ugo uk! the Otago Witness. * . tor a period of about four years prior to Uiifl, there had been published in opposition to tho Daily Times, another morning paper of considerable merit. This I was tuo utago Guardian. Originally I started by a.public company, and, being Z\UT ?! ld <-duc^ douoteaiy tho liuardiau seriously chal- ! e h1 6£ f , A aU^ ng ' stated against the fortunes, of its older contemporary. ti ° u 8 h S rnssing to the Daily lunes, was not so -Uonounced as to prevent tho company hot: owned it-and, with it, 'jZ paper, the Southern Mercury—from sell--jarWaTi"l poKwiaa in a journalistic capaa'tv on U>* and aftorwarda canSd Mr John Mocfeay, now nj.m. , iew P mnltkl f a . mao ®B ßr for more than a !™„ K t reaped that there ol i° of Guardian enr •i ®, an y <®nsideraWe headway against WW ojd-establishcd Baity Tin**™ Vhi j rocomincndatl < Jn to the fe 0 , o ."' ra , i ado u on that conviction, «u teaUhey out if possible, at. publication of their 5 Qwdian and Southern MerirtT 01 thk advicc TOS reaused by the company to which it wfca tendered, and accordingly, the property up-j°luctlon- ,*« bpcame. the purchaser,lad formcriy been in partnership with Mr T 1 "Ili proprietorship of the .%• * poirerfnl and ronchant writer, and kid the conviction Mat by. ha writing he could, bring hia paper into a swtoeesful position. Hia arguments in this direction induced Mr tenwick to join forces with him; but a twelro months experience sufficed to confirm the soundntw of Mr Feowick'a opinion that success could not wait upon two daily morning papew in DunedhT

In this position a policy bold, in vU simplicity was taken. Mr Fedwick sac. gteted to Mr Roed that tho Otogo Daily Times should bo purchased by tbeir small firm. Tho proposal wu a striking and, at. first eight, .apparently ,an impracti* cab.o one. But uie 'suggestion was mad 6 in earnest, and negotiations were entered .upon for the purchase. , _ <■ PJio Iliiii. W. H. Reynolds undertook the delicate task of persuading tho Otogo Daily.Times Company,to sell ita property, tho mime* of tne principals remaining undisclosed. Ho brought to his mission tact and • patience, and his efforts were ultimately crowned with ■ success, the sale being effected at', a figure in the neighbourhood of < £30,000. To provide this sum Mr ienwick had canvassed his friends, and had shown Mr Beytidlds that ha had been fimmsfal in. aocurinu promises of capital and guarantees aufltotent in amount for the uoaortaldng.

In dti« lime Messrs Becd and Femrick entered on tho possession of their new property, and thereafter merged the tfuardian in tho Otago ' My 'limes. This, of courec, involved a reduction of flails, and an effort was mado to select a mechanical staff in equal proportions from the offices of the two papers. The hands on tho Daily Times, however, declared that unlets they were all. retained they would not accept employment under the new proprietore. This condition, of course, was pcmptly declined, and tho outcotr.o was that the Times handa started another paper called tho Morning Herald, which was published at oi» l>enny. Up to this thne the prioe of the Daily Tinrcs had ken threepence, jf* l naturally tho Morning Herald—whiA wc-i accorded generous support by the former directors of tho Daily Times and tho friends of tho men—made great headway at tlw lower price. Tho circulation of the Daily Times suffered materially in a ven - short {pace of time, and difficulties teemed imminent, particularly a* 'ho proprietor wero eaddkd with heavy financial obligations connected with the purchase. The course decided upon by them in these circumstances was the flotation of a company to take over tho perty, and as a result the present Otago Daily lurei and Witness Newspapers Company (Ltd.) was formed.' The Modern Era. The prospectus of Ihe proposed company mis issued in April. 1878, tho provisional directors mentioned being the lion. W. 11. Reynolds, M.L.C., the Hon, E. 8,

Ohapmanj the Hon. Sir John L C. ; Richardson, M.L.C., the Hon. Robert Stoat, M.H.R, the Son. Robert Campbell, M.L.C., the Hon. Captain Eraser, 3LL.C., Mr H. Baetirigs, M.H.R., Dr Jlocken,. Masts George Fen wick, James Jfarshall, Walter Guthrio, Bendix llallenelcdn, IL F. Hardy, Jolrn Bad, and It 1L Leaxy. Mr Leaiy acted as interim eoaretaiy. Tio capital waa stated at £40,000 in 4000 shares of £10 each, of which it was proposed to call up £7 10a per share. ■ Ths prospoctua set forth that tho company waa being formed " for the" purpose of acquiring from Mcasre Heed oad Fen wick those influential and oldestablished ' newspaper properties the Otago Daily Times and Otago Witne*s, together with tho incorporated copyright of the Otago Guardian and tho Southern Mercury; their valuable , freehold land and buildings and the book dobts of the firm." It further stated that arrangenteato had been mtute with Mr Reed to occupy tho position of editor and Mr Fenwick that of managing director, each for a period of two woais. Tho proprietors had _ had their audited, for the six months inded January 31, 1878. As tho profit shown was highly satisfactory, and as the provisional directors had taken up half tho number of shares to bo allotted, it was not long before'the successful flotation of the company was announced. A meeting of shareholders was held on the 10th of Juno, 1878, inter alia, to proceed with the election of a board of directors. The reeult was the election of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, M.L.C., Messrs R, H. Leary, Walter Guthrie, James Smith, Georgo Fenwick, and Dr T. M. Hocken. Mr Fenwick was appointed managing director and the Hon. Mr Reynolds was elected to the chairmanship of tho board. It is interesting to note that, on the recommendation of Mr Fenwick, one of tho earliest act* of the new directorate was to give authority to tho managing director and tho editor to enter into preliminary negotiations with other New Zealand newspapers for tho formation of an aMociation for the interchange of press telegrams. Thus was taken the very earlier* step among New Zealand news-, paper proprietors to fonnd an association or company-formed of newspaper propriq'tors for supplying their papera with telegrams and cablegrams—a proceeding which issued in the establishment of tho •first distinct Press Association in the colony. • At the same meeting of the directorate at which preliminary steps towards the formation of a press association were : taken, a committee wa3 appointed to inquire into the question of a site for a new. office, it having been decided that it was in the interests of tho company to sell its freehold premises at the corner of Rattray and Bond streets. , Tho rep6rt of the committco upon this was that no. wore suitable available site could be found

Shaa ths section at the corner of Bowling and Maeandrew strata. An architect's jreport—which proved favourable—having 'been obtained respecting the accommodation this site would afford, it was decided ; to secure it. This having been done, tonderi were called for the erection of the buildings. In August, 1878, the tender of Mr E. W. U'Rcii was accepted, the contract price being £3549. The first half-yearly report of the directors was leaned in August of the samo year, and covered the period ended July 31. It showed that in all branched o' the company's business the revenue had been highly satisfactory, and a satisfactory dividend was paid, while a substantial balance was carried forward. The .basinets after some fluctuation steadily progressed, and the property stands today as one of the most valuable newspaper concerns in the Dominion. Rival Ventures. This result, however, had not been attained without some troublo, particularly in the first lew. years of the present .company's existence. Tho establishment of tne Morning Herald at tho cheap rate of one penny brought a serious rivul into the field, and the circulation of tho Daily .Times suffered from this competition. At a very early stage in the existence of the new proprietary the managing director recognised that the reduction of the price of the Daily Times from threepence per copy to one penny was inevitable. It •was, however, a considerable time, notwithstanding the arguments that were addressed to them, before this progressive step commended itself to the majority of the members of the board. The first proposal to rednco tho price of tlie paper was discussed in November, 1878, a few months after the formation of the present company and the establishment of the Morning Herald, but at that time the derision was to continue the issue of the pajier at the old price of threepence, ffhis decision was maintained for well over two years, bnt at length the inroads of the Herald upon the circulation of the Daily Times becamo such that members of the board as a whole wero won over, and the change took place as from February 1, 1881,_ from which date to tho present the. price has been one penny. . Tho change immediately justified itself. The management instituted a most energetic canvass, and Mr Fenwick himself made a tour which extended to all parts of the provincial district, establishing agencies, and arranging for a strong effort being mado to increase the list of eubecribers wherever possible. The result of .tlie canvass simultaneously in city, suburbs, and country was from tho outset extremely gratifying. Within a fortnight from the dale when the reduction in price

was effected the circulation of tho paper had doubled! And within sis weeks from the same date it hud nearly trebled ! Thus (vas the new departure justified. The paper's vaiue as an advertising medium was greatly enhanced, and its position as tho principal and main daily of tho province rendered indisputable. The reduction in the price of the Otago Daily Times was tho beginning of the discomfiture of the Morning Herald. As tho pendulum of public favour swung towards the Daily Times—a principal factor in this circumstance being the full telegraph service of the latter journal—the influence of tho Herald waned with its decreasing circulation. Tho struggle bocame for it a hopeless one. Eventually the paper was cnaiigcd to an evening sheet, endured many vicissitudes, underwent a change of name, and finally ceased publication. From this lime in the early 80's onward tho course of the Otago Daily Times has been fairly plain sailing. Tho paper has prospered "as tho colony and province prospered, and it has been guided successfully through gocd times and bad by careful management. A period of depression was, experienced in 1886 throughout the colony, and this led to some disagreement between tho employees of the company and the management. Eventually the employees struck as an ovidenco of their refusal to continuo work at a reduction in the piecework rate of wages from Is Id per thousand to Is per thousand. Tlie reduction was rendered necessary by the bad times And the desire of the management to reduce working expenses, and bo return a fair rato of interest to Shareholders. The struggle resolved itself into one between the Olago Typographical Association and the company, and was waged for some time. A public meeting was held in the Queen's Theatre on behalf of the union and the men on strike, and several public men endeavoured to mediate between the parties. Independent labour was procured by tho company, however, anil the strikers found themselves without any prospect of settlement. In these circumstances a morning papor called the Daily Nows was started by them about the end of June, 1886, but I jt lasted for two months only, when it' ceased publication. Messrs Macltay, Risk, and Munro, whose premises were situated opposite the sito on which the Technical School now stands, undertook the printing J of tho Daily News, but did not find their contract .a profitable one. Many of the leading articles in tho struggling journal were' of a high and sound type, being from the pen of Mr William Hutchison, a journalist of wide experience and advanced views, whose son, Mr J. Hutchison, is now editor of the Otago Daily Times. After the cessation of the Daily News the men scattered to all parts of New Zealand, aiid sonio half-dozen, liav-

ing eventually regained their plaoeß in the Daily Times ollicc, are even now amongst, the employees of tho company. Up to Date. Tho sound business of the Daily Times surmounted tho wave of depression which continued for a year or two, and in subsequent years the expanding circulation and general extension of tlie business necessitated tho provision of increased accommodation, and substantial additions to the plant. The invention of tho linotype led to important developments in tho preparation of the paper for tlie press, for in 1697 Mr George Fenwick, after visiting the United States and inquiring into the respective merits of tho linotype and monotype machines, purchased an equipment of the former in Enplaod. The introduction into the Daily Times Olfico of this wonderful labour-saving machine in 1898 enabled many improvements in the paper to be effected and the public to be benefited. Larger papers liccamo the vogue, and news was more expeditiously handled, and since that date a continuously progressive spirit has been maintained—the principle that was observed in the earliwt days of the paper, being thus maintained.

The moro recent history of tlio Otago Daily Times, which has been. one of steady advancement, need not be here recapitulated. Since the formation in 1878 of the company, of which the Otago Daily Times, in common with the Otago Witness, is tho property, down to the present time,- Mr Fenwick has held the position of managing director; and in addition to the onerorw duties of that position, discharged also for tho period of 19 vpars the responsibilities of the offico of editor. He retired from the latter position on his return from attendance at the Imperial Press Conference in 1909. In tho course of the 50 years of the nxistenco of the Otago Daily Times there havo been eight different occupants of the oflice of editor. Sir Julhts Vogel occupied the jiosation for tlw first seven years in tho life of tlx* paper. Mr G. 15. Baiton held the position for two years, and his successor, Mr W. D. Murison, occnpied it for seven years. The connection of Mr Murison with the paper was terminated in 1877, through the purchase of the property by Messrs Heed and Fcnwirk, Mr Reed then becoming tho editor, and holding tho position for a.year, after which Mr James Ashcroft, who died a few mouths ago, was appointed to the editorship, and performed the duties of the office for four years. On May 18, 1883, Mr R. ii. 'J'wopony was appointed editor, nnd h? took up his work on September 1 of that

year. Ho resigned as fiom August 31, 3fi9o, hut continued to net im associata editor till February, 1891. Gocrge Ftnwick, who succeeded Mr Twopeny, occupied tho (ditor's chair for 19 yeare,

until his increasing responsibilities in connection with the management of tho business of tho company led to his retirement in 1909, when the present editor was appointed.

The first press telegraphic message from tho Bluff to Duncdin was received here on May 22, 1865. On tho 23rd telegraphic communication was opened between Chrialchurch, Invorcargill, and Duncdin. .

The right to advertise one line in capitals across tie foot of two pages of tho Otago Daily Tiroes for one year was purchased on the Bth of August, 1864, at auction bv-Messrs M.'Landress, Hepburn, and Co. for tho sum of £560. A similar right for ono page was secured by Messrs Ross and Glendininjt for £210. Tho ferryman on tho Taieri in 1861-62 mado an income of about £4000 a year by conveying tho diggers backwards and forwards, over the stream. The first daily newspaper published in British North America was owned and edited by Mr H. S. Chapman, afterwards Mr Justico Chapman, who died at Duncdin in 1881. This was the Montreal Daily Advertiser, established in 1832 or 1833." The lato judge was at times a contributor to tho columns of this journal of articles on non-political topics. His son, tho present judge, was also an occasional contributor when ho resided in Dunedin.

Passengers in tho early '60's might have been cxpectcd to anticipate and emlure a certain amount of hardship in view of tho special rush everywhere experienced in order to reach the enticing goldfields. The files of tho paper record, however, ono amusing case when tho captain of tho vessel Dunedin (a schooner) was sued by a fair passenger for £20 damages for illtreatment and insufficiency of food. " Tho fair plaintiff," records tho papc-r, "seemed to liavo somewhat original ideas os to what constituted n proper dietary eculc and caused no little amusement in the court as she related the particular case of privation to which her over-nice ap petite had been 1 subjected." The causo of complaint on the part of tho lady was that there wero no pickles, cither mixed or plain, and further, there was no jam. A hard-hearted magistrate dismissed tho case.

Slow Progress.—"One of tho firet oiiattiona of stranger* on arrival in Diuicdin," "aid tlio Otngo Daily Times on February 17, 1862, "is as to the locality of the nearest 'bathing place, and it is not without a grumble thai they a£ccrtain that, exrept in situations ivfiich arc to tho majority inaccessibly the fncilitica for that luxury or necessity of life —a bath— Dunodin does not jfifiarcß, noLwitfuatanJinc the abundant supply of li'oth fresh and salt water in close proximity ,to any port of the town. Many undertake tho i.ibour of milking to llio Ocoati llcac.M, bat tho distance is inconveniently great and the beach tnldom safe for any but a bold swimmer; others organise baths in Quaint situations on tho streams jlowiny through the gullies at tbe back of tbn town; but tlie majority in their fcarc.'i for n suitable place have to confess themsalves 'dead biat.'" The suggestion was thon throii'n out that baths should bo provided. . That hint was dr<»pjvcd nearly 50 yeore ago. Last year a poll on the question of municipal baths was taken, Tho decision of tho doctors was adverse to tho proposal.

Tho weather in tlw earlv days was on occasions very severe—rfiucfi mora so than hag been tho case of late years. It is recorded that Lake Woihoia was frojv.i over in '61, so that skating was practised, and the ice had to be broken to permit of tho passage of tlie mail bout. In ths succeeding year very severe frosts wero experienced, and ice upwards •>; liaif an inch in thickness was formed in many places. Thin frost at night awl thawing in the daytime so aflectod the ro.-iOr that they became impa««ible, and the escort froin. the goldfielila, then « regular institution, after being reduced from a weekly occurrence to once a fortnight, was delayed altogether for tome days "till tlie roads became safer." At the same time the weather did ir.;t seem unduly to affect tho Jinrdy spirits of thceo daw, as the followiii,' paragraph a'mws: —" It was prognosticated on inany sides thai, as winter advanced and tho severity of the season set in, IIh*? who lived tinder tents and canvas-covering for shelter would have to abandon cucli temporary and uncomfortable habitations. Alae! for human foresight, nothiin; ol tho kind has come to pass. Wc navy had cold days and nights, stormy ami tempestuous weather, but, the neck of winter having been broken, th° tenUi remain as before, and the inmatea appf.ir no woiim for the ordeal thev li'ive had to pass if wo may from tho gay, lightsome manner wim which tho occifpanls liavo rpceivod all things as they linvo happened. In Staiford street, Walker street, and Hope street, in thu North-East Valley, in tho road h-adhi; -to Caversham, in Stuart street, and in many other localities tents remain as of old, nnd those occupying thorn appear quite contented with their lot. Hero may be foeit a rcfljifctable-looking mother sweeping cjenn the floor of her fragile ati.l emitransparent dwelling, surrounded by her progeny of little ones, blooming vritli health and the picture of happiness. There is scon the elderly matron at, iier canvas door, striving to make both ends meet by taking in washing. . . . From tlicra observation!) wo conolmlo that our climate is anything but so severe as it has been represented, und that the denizoiis of Dunodin possess the true Britisli pluck wid liardihocxl <o meet cheerfully such small trouble? as follow upon a little cold, wind, and moisture The alleged badness of our climate has proved a myth, and Duncdin will in future not have to bear so terrible a character as its detractors liavo endeavoured to make out." Tho following paragraph, published on July 15, 1862, contains its own indication of tho change of feeling which tho past half century has witnessed" Decline in • the value of slaves in Maryland—At a salo of servants, slaves for life, belonging to the estate of Miss Clarissa 11. Lurkctt, an illustration was afforded of the depressing influence of the rebellion tin tho value of slave property in tho States. A likely, sound, and healthy negro woman, aged 50 years, her two children, a boy of four awl a girl of two years, well-con-ditioned, were sold in a lot for 200 dollars ; also, a likely boy, aged 10 years, for 105 dollars; and a very likely mulatto girl, aged IS, was offered and withdrawn at 95 dollars. than two years s>go servants of this description would readily have commanded 2500 dollars—now thev fetch 400. The reader will remember that the Examiner admonished tho sympathiser with the rebellion in advaneo that this would be the corlioquenco of the crime and folly of secession, but they would not heed. We tell them now that their acts liavo scaled the fate of tho institution in Maryland.—Frederick Examiner."