Death of Sir James Hutchison

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26177, 13 June 1946, Page 4

Death of Sir James Hutchison

Former Editor of the Daily Times

Sir James Hutchison, who for a period of 37 years, was editor of the Otago Daily Times until his retirement less than three months ago and was the doyen of journalists in the Dominion, died suddenly yesterday at the age of 79 years. Since his retirement at the end of March, Sir James had retained his interest in the Daily Times and had been a familiar and welcome figure in the office of the newspaper whose policy he had guided for so many years. It was while he was making one of his periodic visits to the office yesterday morning that he collapsed and died during a conversation in the sub-editorial room with a member of the staff. The death of Sir James Hutchison marks the passing of a conspicuous figure in New Zealand journalism. His intellectual gifts

were outstanding, and for upwards of half a century he devoted them to the service of his chosen profession with dignity and distinction. During the whole of his long association with the literary department of the Otago Daily Times he fulfilled faithfully and conscientiously the duties which he was called upon to perform, and not from any mere sense of duty, but as a matter of course. Personal considerations were always secondary in importance to the interests of the paper. He commanded the unfailing loyalty of the members of his staff, as well as their confidence and respect, and any request for his counsel or assistance was met with a ready and courteous compliance.

Sir James was born 79 years ago at Wanganui into an atmosphere of journalism and politics. His father, who had been editor of newspapers in Scotland and Ireland before he came to New Zealand, maintained his connection with press work on his arrival in the colony. He also filled many public offices, being Mayor of Wanganui, a member of the Wellington Provincial Council, Mayor of Wellington for several terms, * and a member of the House of Representatives for four Parliaments, sitting for Wellington City and Dunedin City. Sir James s eldest brother also was a member of Parliament for 14 years. Sir James was educated at Wellington College, and, after an interval in which he obtained a commercial training, he passed on to the University of Otago. In 1886 he accepted a position, which was offered to him by Mr Thomas Bracken, on the reporting staff of the Evening Herald, and three years later was appointed to a vacancy on the staff of the Otago Daily Times. He soon revealed an aptitude for all branches of reporting work, and the experience which he acquired in this department of journalism provided a foundation for the responsible position which he was later called upon to fill. He had the versatility of the born newspaper man, and efficiently handled a wide range of assignments from the reporting of ordinary meetings to the more specialised art of dramatic criticism. Forty years ago the use of stenography was regarded as an essential part of the equipment of a newspaper reporter, but Sir James’s inability to write shorthand was in no sense a disadvantage. Relying on a remarkable memory and speedy calligraphy, he was able to give a full and accurate presentation of what was said by even the fastest speakers. His wide general knowledge and his gift of writing were not long in gaining recognition, and he was to the editorial staff of the paper under the experienced tutelage of Sir George Fenwick—one of the outstanding figures in New Zealand journalism—and he revealed himself so apt a pupil and disclosed such a wide grasp of current affairs that within a short time he was vested with full editorial responsibility. In 1909 he succeeded Sir George Fenwick as editor of the Otago Daily Times, and for 37 years the columns of the paper reflected the high standard of journalism set by Sir James. At all times he insisted on clear writing and high thinking, not only in the editorial columns,, but in the news section as well. Throughout the period of his editorship he maintained the dignity and standing of the paper in accordance with the best traditions of journalism, and when he was awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours of 1936, he made it clear that he regarded the distinction as one bestowed upon the profession rather than as a personal tribute to himself. His keen insight, allied with a logical, analytical mind, enabled him to furnish a prompt and well-informed commentary on any new development in local or national politics, and to the end of his association with jhe paper he retained this clarity of vision and the faculty of summing up a situation and making appropriate comment upon it. At the time of his death he was the doyen of editors in the Dominion.

sociation with the game in an administrative capacity. For six years, from 1894 to 1899, he was a highly efficient honorary secretary of the Otago Rugby Union, and was its president in the years 1902, 1903, and 1908. He also served on the Management Committee of the Union, and was a vice-president for a number of years. His services to Rugby football in Otago were appropriately recognised some years ago, when he was elected a life member of the Union. Under the nom de plume of “ Full Back ” he at one time conducted the football column in the Otago Witness. For many years Sir James w;i a member of the Appeal Council oi the New Zealand Rugby Union. He was also keenly interested in other forms of sport, and rarely missed attending a cricket match of any importance. Golf was another of his active interests, and he was a member of the Otago Golf Club for many years. Under the nom de plume of “Divot” he instituted the golf column in the Otago Daily Times. He was also the original “Wayfarer.”

Sir James is survived by Lady Hutchison, formerly Miss Anna Copland, a daughter of Dr James Copland, and by three sons—Mr J. D. Hutchison, of Christchurch, Dr F. C. Hutchison, of Wanganui, and Dr W. J. Hutchison, of Lower Hutt.

Sir James attended two conferences of the Empire Press Union—one in Canada in 1920 and the other in England in 1930. He was connected at one time with various educational and cultural activities in Dunedin. He was chairman of the Dunedin School Committees’ Association for a term, and was a former chairman of the Dunedin Athenaeum Committee. He was also a Rotarian for several years. In the realm of sport Sir James took a prominent part on both the active and administrative sides. He was keenly interested in Rugby football, and gave many years of valued service to the game in various capacities. He was one of the founders of the Poneke Club in Wellington, and when he came to Dunedin he played for the Pirates senior fifteen for a season or two. He had a long as-