GERALDINE HEARD DICKENS READ

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21821, 26 November 1940, Page 7

GERALDINE HEARD DICKENS READ

Old Resident’s Memories Active In Early Colonial History One who was closely associated with i the development of New Zealand 70 years ago in Nelson which was one of the chief centres of activity in the Dominion, Mr T. H. Bannehr, celebrated his ninety-first birthday at Geraldine on Friday. He still recalls experiences of those early years. Mr Bannehr who is the second oldest resident in the Geraldine district was entertained by a gathering of friends on Friday and was the recipient of many congratulatory messages from Australia and from all parts of the Dominion. Born in Surrey, England, Mr Bannehr was educated at St. Saviour's Grammar School, one of the smallest public schools in London. For two years after he completed his course he studied law under a private tutor, but his heart was not in his work and in 1869 he came to New Zealand to work as an accountant for an importing firm in Nelson. Heard Dickens Read Own Works To have heard Charles Dickens read his own works must be the experience of only few people now living in New Zealand, but this and personal contact with men of mark in New Zealand’s early history are distinguished by Mr Bannehr. “The poverty in the big cities was appalling and representation in government was a myth,” said Mr Bannehr when he recalled how, with six other young men, he decided to leave England for a country where conditions were better suited to their idea of representation. It was shortly before leaving Home that he heard Charles Dickens read, in a theatre in Piccadilly, extracts from “David Copperfield” which the author claimed as his favourite book. He was convinced, Mr Bannehr said, when recalling his experiences in politics, after seventy years, that it did not matter much who was elected to the government, because it was public opinion that guided the districts of a nation on all major issues. Journalistic Interest Through an inborn interest in newspaper work Mr Bannehr was a wellknown figure in the office of the “Nelson Colonist,” and he joined the staff in 1869. He soon became actively interested in the paper as manager, accountant and reporter, eventually becoming editor, a position he held until his retirement in 1907. It was in this field tnat Mr Bannehr met most of the prominent figures in New Zealand history of that period. The dispersal of news in those days was the chief concern of all papers, said Mr Bannehr, recounting that there was little competition among the three Nelson papers, which co-operated in the distribution of reports. The most common system of exchange was the news letter and in the days of the Franco-Prussian War the “Colonist” arranged that bulletins should be printed in San Francisco and these were distributed as supplements to the regular paper immediately on their arrival, couriers rowing out to meet the ships. As Nelson was then one of the principal ports much of the overseas news was telegraphed to other centres from there. No fee was charged for extras. In his experience of newspaper work, Mr Bannehr can trace progress from hand presses which turned out 250 papers an hour, to the modern rotary press, which turn out thousands an hour. Shortage of newsprint was not unknown when Mr Bannehr was engaged in newspaper work, but then it was not war which prevented delivery of paper supplies. The mishaps to sailing ships frequently caused failure in the delivery of paper, but good supplies were kept on hand in case of emergency. As a former secretary and president of the Inland Communication League, Mr Bannehr was interested in shipping. His trip from England in the sailing ship Hydaspes took 90 days, and since then he has experienced every form of transport except flying. The efforts of the League to open up the country brought Mr Bannehr into further contact with the political leaders of the day, and he now values a personal friendship with Richard John Seddon. He saw all the political action leading to the abolition of the provinces and vividly remembers Sir Julius Vogel saying in 1870 “We don't ; want to see riches in one part and poverty in another; we want national prosperity and the country must be opened up.” Other Associations A justice of the Peace for more than 50 years, Mr Bannehr is one of the oldest men holding this office in New Zealand. He was on the Council of i Governors at Nelson College, a member 'of the Victory Masons’ Lodge, a life member of the Nelson Horticultural Society, and president of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce. After his retirement to Geraldine he was treasurer of the Home and Empire League during the Great War and treasurer of the Anglican vestry. He was also treasurer of the Geraldine Plunket Society and still holds the office of secretary . nd treasurer of the Geraldine District Nurse Committee and is a keen member of Geraldine Toe H. A civic presentation to the men of the Fourth Reinforcements from the Geraldine district will be held in the Geraldine Town Hall to-night at 7.30 p.m. Selections by the Geraldine District Band and the Geraldine Orchestra will be given prior to the function. Immediately after the civic presentation a dance under the auspices of the Geraldine Social Club will be held in honour of the soldiers when Sinclair’s Orchestra will provide the music. Mr W. H. Kirk announces a monster frock drive commencing at “The Bargain Corner,” Geraldine, on Wednesday.