A DEPARTING JOURNALIST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20385, 17 April 1928, Page 6

A DEPARTING JOURNALIST.

Members 'of the literary and commercial staffs of the Otago Daily Times and the Otago Witness met in ■ the office library to bid farewell to Mr S. T. Sharpley, who has bee a contributor to the leading columns of the Otago Daily Times for over forty years and is now returning U England. Sir HutchisOn, editor of the Daily Times, said that if any publisher were enterprising enough to consider the production of a collection of Mr Sharplcy’s afticles, in that paper, he (Mr Hutchison) would undertake to make a selection of them, each one of which would conform to the highest canons of literary art. They had possessed a distinction of their own; For polished and graceful diction, for loftiness of expression, for the command of language that went-to the heart of a reader in any time of trial and sorrow, Mr Sharjiley had no peer among the journalists of New Zealand, nor was there one amongst them who hgd the same intimate acquaintance with English history and with the:classics of English literature. Mr Sharpley was a product of the English; public school system—a system which had sometimes been subjected to criticism—and his culture, his unfailing courtesy, his winning manner, coupled with an innate modesty, marked Mm as a type of the English gentleman;-^-(Loud. . applause.) The members of the staff had felt that they could not let him slip quietly away without seizing the opportunity, of taking, what they all reluctantly realised would be a farewell of him. On their behalf, he asked Mr Sharpley’? acceptance of a few gifts as a token of their goodwill and affection, and he wished Mm bon voyage and a pleasant restoration to the scenes and associations of his youth.—(Loud applause.) - Mr Sharpley said that whatever small ability he possessed leant to writing, hot to oratory, so they would not. expect him to make a set speech. It was 44 years since-he had written his first article for the Otago Witness, in the time of that most 1 estimable and amiable; editor, Mr William Fenwick.—(Applause.) His.connection with the office, be might, add, had been to a certain extent intermittent. He had then written for Mr R. E- N. Twopeny, and he was glad to recall the memory of a charming man. He had then written for Sir George Fenwick, and then-after a long, spell for Mr Hutchison. His departure from the office synchronised almost with their departure to new premises in ’LoWer High street, and he knew that the high traditions of the Otago Daily Times and Otago \Vitness would be worthily maintained under the new conditions. He would always think of them, whatever space of time, short or long, should be left to him in the Old Land. To Sir George Fenwick and Mr Hutchison he was indebted for much kindness and infinite forbearance. Mr Sinclair had also- been a most helpful friend to him, as had indeed all his good comrades on the literary staff, and in the, commercial and mechanical departments. His memory would revert continually to the days be had spent in Dunedin and the friends he had made here. “ And now. Sir Gfeorge, Mr Hutchison, arid my. good, friends,” he concluded, “I bid you a grateful arid affectionate farewell- — (Applause.) . Sir George Fenwick, in bidding Mr Sharpley farewell, said he thought it ,was only right that be should , add a word or two to what had been so felicitously said by Hr Hutchison. The gathering ; W as fortunate in having him for its chairman,, because he had in most adequate terms spoken ,of Mr Sharpley s reputation as one of the foremost literary men in New Zealand. He thought he was justified in saying that . advisedly, because, as Mr Hutchison had trMy said, Mr Sharpjey’s style' was pure English, ard gave pleasure to everyone who read his articles. It was 44 yearsjmice he and Mr Sharpley had first an official connection, at the timd when. he assumed the editorship of the Diuly ~hnies ; ***** Mr Twopeny had .retired. The articles Mr Sharply wrote 'in-those -days were certainly amongst the host that appealed in the Otago Daily Times, and it jyas always with pleasure that -he - received articles from his pen. He hoped that Mr. Sharpley when in E n woul continue Ms-.literary work, and *?* «it were possible, he would estabhsh himsclf with some of the big newspapers there.r- ( Applause.) . . ;