DEATH OF A VETERAN JOURNALIST

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13333, 23 March 1911, Page 3

DEATH OF A VETERAN JOURNALIST

(Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 22. Mr Geo. R. Hart, who died suddenly at his residence, Latimer Square, about midday to-day, was one of the best known journalists in How Zealand. The late Mr George E. Hart arrived in New Zealand as a small hoy with his. parents by the Cressy, one of the first four ships, and spent practically the whole of his life in Christchurch, watching the city grow up from a Tiny settlement to what, it. appeals to-day. He was Apprenticed to the printing;, ' and then joined the profession. of journalism, continuing at that work right up to the day of his death; in fact, he actually died in harness. Mr Hart joined the staff of The Press on October 1, 1870, and was easily the oldest working journalist in the Dominion. He was known in newspaper circles from Auckland- to -the Bluff, and was exceedingly popular. He was apprenticed as a compositor to the Canterbury Standard, Christchurch, in 1854. In 1859, when out of his time, ho went across to Melbourne and was engaged as a compositor on Beil’s Life. In 1 1860 he joined the Ovens and Murray Advertiser as a reporter, but the next year returned to Hew Zealand and secured a position on the Otago Daily Times’ reportino- staff. In 1862 he returned to Christ church, and rejoined the Canterbury Standard. In 1863 he was married,. and the same year joined the firm of Tombs and Bent as compositor. In October. 1870, Mr Halt mined The Press as a reporter, ultimately' rising to the position of chief of staff and dramatic critic, which position he held at the time of his death. There was hardly any public movement in this city that Mr Hart had not seen initiated, and in very many he took a close and per-so-ial interest. In 1871 Mr Hart represented The Press and-the..Wellington Independent. (now the H.Z. Times) in the Pi\ss Gallery of the House of Representatives. Prom the time ho 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 the 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 tlie N.Z. Institute of Joumul* i=ts Mr Hart lost his sole surviving son, Mr Frank Hart, on June 25th last: Mr Prank Hart, who was also a- member of the reporting staff of The Press, died equally suddenly. Deceased’s elder son died in England about three years ago. Mr Hart ’ leaves a . widow and several daughters.