THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES

Otago Witness, Issue 2298, 17 March 1898, Page 54

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES

/^^S^^HE Otago Daily Times began its //■i\ existence as a separate entity on 111 H^ November 15, 1861, under the editorwrJ \\ ship of Mr Julius Vogel, who for a y£ time also edited the Otago Witness. \^S^ Mr. Vogel was among the number attracted hither from Victoria by the gold discoveries, and it was he who induced Mr. Cutten, then proprietor of the Witness, to issue a daily. About a month later Mr. Cutten sold out to Mr. Farjeon, and tiltimately the concern was taken over by a company. Mr. Vogel subsequently entered politics, whither it is not necessary to follow him in this sketch, and his place as editor was taken by Mr. George Burnett Barton, who after some years found himself unable to resist the temptation to invite actions for libel, and was consequently compelled to retire. He was succeeded by Mr. William Dick Murison. After a few years' successful editorship on the part of Mr. Murison, the Otago Daily Times and Witness property was purchased by Messrs. G. M. Reed and George Fenwick, who were the proprietors of the Guardian. This business coup secured for the Otago Daily 'J'imes and Witness the field they have practically held undisputed ever since. The Guardian ceased publication, and Mr. Reed assumed the editorship of the Daily Times. Messrs. Reed

and Fenwick remained in partnership until a new company was formed, and Mr. Ashcroft became editor, with Mr. Fenwick as managing director. This was in 1878. and in 1879 owing to the effects of a prolonged depression, and partly because of opposition, the price of the 'limes was reduced at Mr. Fenwick's recommendation from threepence to one penny. Mr. Ashcroft retired in 1882, and he was succeeded by Mr. R. B. N. Twopeny, who had, with Mr. Joubert, conducted the Adelaide Exhibition of 1881 and the Christchurch Exhibition of 1882. Mr. Twopeny had been subsequently editor of the Christchurch Telegraph. Mr. Twopeny retired in 1890 and Mr. G. Fenwick assumed the joint positions of editor and managing director, with the most successful results. The Otago Daily Times has enjoyed a brilliant career almost since its foundation. Its literary matter has always been of the highest quality, and it has ever had the courage of its opinions. Though nominally conservative in politics, and consistently advocating free trade, which is erroneously supposed to be inimical to the interests of the worker, the Times has invariably been studiously fair, and has earned the respect of the labour organisations by its =trict impartiality and fairness. The disclosures made by the Times some years ago on sweating created a great sensation, and undoubtedly affected factory legislation. It has_ consistently upheld the principles of conciliation and arbitration, and speaks with authority on this as on all other subjects with which it deals. The traditions of the best journalism have been always respected by the Otago Daily Times.