A GREAT NEWSMAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 908, 28 April 1871, Page 3

A GREAT NEWSMAN.

The candidate at the head of the poll for the important metropolitan district of Westminster, in the recent election for the much coveted seat at the new Educational Board, writes a London correspondent of a Francisco paper, is William Henry Smith, member of Parliament also lor the same district. Mr Smith's history is remarkable. Many years ago a person of his not uncommon name established a small news sheet in a third rate street near the Strand. By a strict attention to business, discretion and civility, his trade gradually assumed considerable dimensions, and at length the happy thought occurred to Mr Smith to establish a book-stall at one of the metropolitan railway stations. The thing took amazingly; book-stall followed book-stall, and Mr Smith's business became proportionately large. In the fulness of years and proßperity he went where nil Smiths as well as others go at last, ami hia Ben reigned in his stead. The mantle of the enterprising newsman did not fall on incapable shoulders. Gradually every important railway line fell into his hands, and at the present moment well-appointed book stalls, with their neat, civil attendants, at every good-sized station in England and Ireland, attest how extensive are the business ramifications of the firm of W. H. Smith and Sons. In place of the little shop in the third-rate street, the immense operations of this prince of newsmen are conducted in what mny fairly be termed a commercial palace in the best business part of that best of business thoroughfares, the London Strand. Enter and you find a hive of industry indeed, trom early morn to dewy eve. That whirr of machinery is the folder at work, and in truth it has enough to do, for besides, endless Telegraphs, Daily Newses, Standards, it must fold every morning 20,000 copies of the Times, to be distributed over the world. Then there is the circulating library department, and the immense office devoted to the sale of goods to all the leaser news vendors of the United Kingdom. But when you have gone over this wonderful establishment in the Strand, you have not seen it all. An important department remains — the distributive. In a yard near by, you will find the stud of the firm, and the excellence of its appointments are in themselves an indication of the mind which rules. Horses in such trim and condition are not to be found in any establishment in London, and, it may be added, more skilful drivers, and they have need of all their skill; for it is no easy matter to drive at the rate of nine miles an hour to catch mail trains, which must be caught, through the crowded and narrow streets of London, without locking wheels or knocking down old women. Besides the great central establishment in London, there are branches at Liverpool, Manchester, Dublin, and other great cities, exclusive of the station bookstalls. • About four years ago, Mr Smith, whose merits as a public man were gradually becoming recognised in various quarters, was requested by a very influential section of the inhabitants of Westminster to become a candidate for its representation, and consented. On that occasion he was not successful, but two yearß later he came in triumphantly at the head of a large majority. In appearance and manners the great newsman is very pleasing, and as admirable in private as in public life ; always eager to assist in every good work. He is now about forty-five years of age, and probably has a long career of usefulness before him. Mr Smith's income is supposed to ba very large, and his business 13 continually 'increasing. His power in giving circulation to papers and periodicals at their outset is immense.