OBITUARY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15955, 25 October 1919, Page 3

OBITUARY.

ALEXANDER McMINN. WELL-KNOWN .10 LENA LIST. Old residents of Wanganui will deeply regret to learn of the death of Mr Alexander Me Minn, who was well known throughout New Zealand in journalistic circles. The sad event took place at his homo at Dcvonport, Auckland, on Wednesday evening, after a short illness, caused by bronchial trouble. Mr McMinn, when a young man of about 20 years of age, came to New Zealand from Belfast (Ireland), landing nt Auckland on St. Patrick’s Day. He afterwards removed to Wellington, but subsequently took up hie residence in Wanganui, where ho was headmaster of the Grammar School. After a short career in the teaching profession he entered journalism on Hie Wanganui Herald, which was thou conducted by the late Hon. John Ballance. Mr McMinn proved himself a very vigorous and able writer, and in tlin.se days was recognised as one of tho smartest journalists on this coast. After leaving the Wanganui proprietary he joined the Rangitikei Advocate, and in 1880 Mr McMinn went to Palmerston North and founded tho Manawatu Evening Standard, the first issue of the journal appearing on November 39 of that year. The paper was printed on tho same hand-press which was used for tho first number of the ‘‘Wanganui Herald,” and, later, the Woodville Examiner, which the deceased gentleman also established. The, introductory “leader” was contributed by* the la to Mr Ballance, with whom, as stated, Mr McMinn had been associated on the “Wanganui Herald” in tho “sixties.” After having established the Woodville Examiner, Mr McMinn did not for long retain an iutrest in this venture, as he parted with the paper to Mr ITaggen. In 1891 he disposed of his interest in the Standard to Mr F. Pi rani, and removed a few years later to Mastcrton, where ho occupied the position of subeditor of the Wairarapa Daily Times under tho late Mr Payton, then’ editor and proprietor of that journal. This position Mr McMinn ably filled for a number of years, and then ill-health compelled him to relinquish it and to take a well-earned rest in Palmerston North. Having regained something of his former robust constitution, Mr McMinn, about seven years ago, took np his residence at Auckland, where he occupied a post on the literary staff of Hie Auckland Star up to the time of his decease. Mr McMinn was a gentleman of robust constitution in his early days, and indeed until well past his prime in life. Ho travelled Urn coast between Wellington and Wanganui most extensively, and there were, few men bettor known in this respect in the early days. Forty years ago it was a common thing for him to make frequent trips between Wellington and Wanganui on horseback, traversing the eld coach route along the coast, and on more than one occasion he had as his companion tho late Dr. Rockstrow, of Fox ton and Palmerston North, who was, in those days, medical health officer for the Natives between Horowhenua and Rangitikei. The roads, such as existed in those days, were frequently np to the horse s girths in mud, but the experience gave Mr McMinn a wide circle of acquaintances and a big influence with the Natives, ho knowing all the big cliiefs intimately.: The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and four surviving sons; Francis Alexander (Dannevirke), Garnet (Taumarunui), Gordon (Bendigo), Leslie (Taikorea), and one daughter, Mrs Whalley (Palmerston North). The late Mr Archibald McMinn, the wc.ll-known footballer, was also a son. Mr McMinn was always of a most cheerful nature, and his natural courtliness of manner and kindness in many ways endeared him to hia many friends in journalism and in other pursuits. Their respect for him was always of that fine nature in which a gentleman of his calibre is held, and his death will ho deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends.