GEORGE COWARD.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13412, 9 May 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

GEORGE COWARD.

(From "The Colonist," April 23.)

The death of Mr. George Coward, which occurred at his residence in Percy street, Blenheim, on Thursday night, removes one of the most interesting of tho living links that havo connected the present day generation with the pioneering associations of Marlborough (says the "Express"). Mr. Coward is honoured as one- of the founders of the Press of this district, in which ho had resided for over 60 years. .Born in Wiltshire, England, 89.years ago, he came to Nelson in the sailer "Ralph Bernal" in 1847, and became a 'member of tho printing staff of the "Nelson Examiner," thus being one of the first compositors in New

Zealand, lie did not remain, however, at that work very long, and with his brother took up the Erina Run, in Wairau. His brother was. drowned in tho early days at Manuka Island, being the first white man to meet his fate in the Wairau river; and Mr. George Coward then came to Blenheim on newspaper enterprise bend". On January 6th, 1860, when Blenheim had a population of 300 souls, Messrs. G. Coward and T. W. Millington published the first issue of the "Marlborough Press" in a little office situated on the corner of Alfred street and Grove road. .For a time an effort was made to meet the convenience of the subscribers in both towns by printing one part at the seaport and the other at the Blenheim office (of which Mr. Coward had charge, and was for a time assisted by Mr. W. T. Bond) ; but this arrangement was found to be so unsatisfactory that it-was soon- abandoned, and the "Press" became the journalistic mouthpiece of Picton. But the exigencies of party politics demanded that the Wairau should also nave an advocate, and a medium through which its grievances could bo ventilated, and so, on November 2nd, 1864,' Mr. Coward, brought out tho "Wairau Record" from what had formerly been the "Press" office. Mr. Elijah Tucker (formerly of "Tho Colonist") filled the editorial chair of tho new journal for two years. The "Record" having ceased publication, Mr Millington came through from Picton and- started' the "Marlborough News," to which Mr Collie was a noteable contributor. "The Express" established by the Messrs. Johnson Brothers, appeared on the scene in 1866, coming to stay, and the "News" went out of existence shortly after its acquisition from Mr. Millington by a company of local politicians, who mado it the organ of the anti-Eyes party. Mr. Coward maintained his connection with the printing trade for some years, and conducted for a lengthy period a book-binding trade. He retired from active affairs some 20 years ago; but was able to move about up to a late stage of his life, his fatal illness in fact confining him to his bed for only about a week.

The deceased, who married Miss Fields in Nelson in 1855, and is survived by his wife, leaves a large number of descendants to respect his memory. The sons are George William, of Renwicktown ; Charles , Edward, of Woodville; Walter Richard, of Ugbrooke, Thomas Henry, of Blenheim j and Alfred James, of Dannevirkc The' daughters are Mrs. Bingley Laking, of Havelock North; Mrs Thomas Batty, and Mrs 'J. Brockets, of Blenheim. : There', are 51 grandchildren and five great-grand-children.