DEATH OF A VETERAN JOURNALIST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12711, 23 March 1911, Page 5

DEATH OF A VETERAN JOURNALIST.

MR. -GEORGE HART DIES

SUDDENLY.

(Per Prfss Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 22. Mr Geo. R. Hart,, one of the bestknown journalists in New Zealand,' d:ed suddenly at his residence, Latimer Square, about mid-day to-day. The late Mr .George R. Hart, arrived' "in New Zealand, as a small boy with-his parents by the Creysy, one of the first tour sli-]», and spent practically the whole of his life in Christohurch, watching the city grow up from a tiny settlement to what it appears to-day. Ho was apprenticed to th© printing,' and then joined the profession of journalism, continuing at that work flight up to tho day of h«, death; in fact, he actually died in harness. Mr Hart joined- the .staff of "The PrW on Oc-tebc-r 1, 1870, and was easily the oldest working journalist in the Dominion. H© was known in newspaper circk.3 from Auckland to the Bluff and was exceedingly popular. Ho was ap, prenticed as a comprsitor to the "Canterbury Standard," Christchurch,in 1854 In 1859, when out of his time, he went across to Melbourne and was «<ngaged as a compositor on "Bell's Life." In 1860 he. joined the f'Ovens and Murray Advertiser" as a reporter, but the n-oxt year returned to N.Z. and secured a position on the "Otago Daily Time.'.'^eporfing staff. In 1862 he returned to Christchurch, and rejoined tho "Canterbury Standard." In 1863 ha was manned, and tho same year joined the firm of Tombs and Bent as* competitor. In October, .1870, Mr Hart joined " The Pre;s" as a reporter, ultimately rising to it-he position of chief of staff and dramatic critic, which position he hvld at the time of his death.. There was -hardly any pub^ He movement in this city that Mr Hart had not s^en initiated, andi in very many he took a close and personal interest. In 1871 Mr Hart 'represented "The Pre^s" and tho Wellington "Independent" (now the "N.Z. Times") in the Pixxs Gallery of the House of Representatives. From the time he joined the staff of "The-Press" till the abolition of the provinces in 1876, Mr Hart continuously reported the proceedings of the Canterbury Provincial Council. To mention all the important events with which Mr Hart has been connected would involve the narration of tho history of the city for the past 41 years. Mr Hart took a keen interest in matters affecting his fellow journalists, and was a member of the N.Z. Institute of Journalsts. Mr Hart lost his solo surviving son, Mr Frank Hart, on June 2frth last. Mr Frank Hart, who was also a member of the- reporting staff of "The Preev" clied equally suddenly. Deceased's older son died ■in England about three years ago. Mr--Hart leaves a widow and several daughters.