JOURNALIST’S DEATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 35, 11 February 1944, Page 4

JOURNALIST’S DEATH

mr. a. g. McFarland, WANGANUI LONG SERVICE AS A PRESSMAN The death occurred yesterday of Mr. A. G. McFarland, who had been chief reporter of the Wanganui Herald for more than 20 years, and for the past 12 months acting-editor. He had been in failing health for some months. A familiar figure at local body meetings, Mr McFarland was widely popular on account of his genial personality and unfailing kindness. His long association with journalism began more than 40 years ago. Born in Christchurch 62 years ago, he was the eldest son of the late Mr. James McFarland, Aorangi, Feilding, who died at an advanced age last year. Educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School and Gilby’s Commercial College he came to the North Island with his parents and joined the literary staff of the Feilding Star, under the late Mr. Pirani. In those days a young reporter had to undertake all varieties of work —political speeches, meetings of local bodies, sports fixtures, interviews, and agricultural shows. Mr. McFarland had always said since that the work then, when a man was obliged to turn his hand to anything, furnished the best form of training. Leaving the Feilding Star, he was for a period with the Manawatu Times, Palmerston North. When the Dominion was established in 1907 he joined its staff. Later an appointment to the New Zealand Press Association followed. Among major assignments when he was with the Press Association Mr. McFarland reported a world sculling race on the Wanganui River, and an interview with survivors from the wreck of the Penguin which was one of the most disastrous on the New Zealand coast in the present century. The vessel struck a rock in Cook Strait when bound from Picton to Wellington on the night of February 12, 1909, and foundered with the loss of 75 lives. While attached to the Press Association, Mr. McFarland was assigned to duty at the cable station, Wakapuaka, Nelson, leaving there to join the reporting staff of the Ashburton Guardian. During the last war he was in camp in New Zealand, but on demobilisation returned to the Guar- 1 dian office.

At the beginning of 1920 Mr. McFarland came to the North Island and joined the literary staff of the Herald, becoming chief reporter in 1924. In the 1931 slump period it was Mr. McFarland who originated the PolicePress match in Wanganui, an annual event for several years which raised hundreds of.pounds for the relief of distress in the city and suburbs. During the present war he was an executive member of the Emergency Precautions Service, in the publicity section, and was largely responsible for the publication of the organisation’s emergency instructional booklet. He xvas also a member of the St. John’s Workingmen’s Club. Last. March Mr. McFarland was appointed acting-editor of the Herald in place of Mr. W. H. Bickley, who joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force. As a young man Mr. McFarland was a prominent member of the Feilding Band, and was well-known in cycling circles in Christchurch. Mr. McFarland is survived by his wife, one son, Mr. George McFarland. Wellington, and four daughters. They are: Mesdames Matthews, Bunnythorpe; Kuch, Wanganui, and Misses Joan and Mary McFarland, Wanganui. Mr . R. A. McFarland, Aorangi, Feilding, is a brother. The funeral lakes place to-morrow morning.